A good start to a property that has the entire galaxy to explore

Rating: 5/10 (17 November 2014)

James Gunn was about the last person I'd expect to helm a Marvel film. His gory comedy Slither and the barely noticed Super were vulgar and anarchic pieces of anti-good taste and Slither is entirely successful all the more for it. For the first hour of Guardians of the Galaxy, it seemed like Gunn broke through the impenetrable micro managing force that is Marvel Studios. His directing voice is present, some of his goofy trademarks are there, some of his usual roster of actors show up and it remarkably doesn't feel like a piece of committee filmmaking. The vfx sequences seemed designed with a vision and as we are introduced to new worlds and characters it's a blast to watch a film where you're never sure where it goes or who or what you will meet along the way. Our group of odd balls, led by Chris Pratt are all cast well and even more amazingly Rocket and Groot don't feel like characters designed to sell toys. So it's a damn shame the last hour or so, the narrative stops dead in its tracks and treads water - serving us been there, done that action, character growth that feels forced and too much focus on a lame villain. Guardians feels like a third of the screenplay was thrown out and was replaced by an extended action sequence - the film was gaining momentum, pushing the story and the characters into crazed set pieces, when Gunn's voice disappears into something so formulaic, the wonder and excitement of the worlds that were created here become just another film that doesn't take any chances. I hope the success of the film awards Gunn the opportunity to have a more complete sequel and get some of his other projects off the ground.