Fun and Entertaining Fantasy Movie

Rating: 8/10 (17 August 2014)

"Fantasy" is surely the correct term to apply to Guardians of The Galaxy. Those expecting a grounded Marvel Movie, or one that bares any relation to the real world at all, like for example, Spider-Man or Capt. America are likely to be sorely disappointed. I don't think this is a movie for everyone. Indeed, at times it plays like a superannuated Doctor Who adventure.
But I liked it, that's for sure! Bold, brassy, with some colossal action sequences - but not frightened to go for dumb laughs and cosmic weirdness on a scale Marvel have not yet approached. It isn't quite as funny as some of the reviews would have you believe - but it is witty and entertaining. I came to care about the characters, which in today's CGI infested modern blockbuster environment, is a refreshing change. And that's in spite of the fact that the film is loaded with special effects, explosions and action sequences of a type I normally loathe.
The acting in this movie is spot on, with Chris Pratt an engaging hero, and the CGI Groot is just bloody brilliant. This is a greatly entertaining popcorn movie as long as you don't take it seriously. I don't know much about the comic so I can't compare it. But as a film I'd definitely recommend it as long as you don't want Citizen Kane or Vertigo!