The Outcasts Got It Right!

Rating: 8/10 (8 August 2014)

"Guardians of the Galaxy" is a series of comics from Marvel that since its inception, have had a vast series of characters and featured the more obscure species and locations of their universe. When creating something so ambitious, that will pretty much carry Marvel forward all the way to their inevitable "Phase 3" series of movies. A lot of film-makers could buckle under such pressure, especially when the movie does not feature such well known characters. James Gunn has done a fantastic job in taking these outcasts, and thrusting them into the light through sly comedic timing and taking these misfits who shouldn't work together, work together.
Peter Quill (Chris Pine) is abducted as a child by aliens and 26 years later, he roams the universe as self proclaimed outlaw "Star-Lord". Upon plundering a mysterious orb, there are many people who want it for their own means be it profit or destruction. This attracts the attention of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), adoptive daughter of the mad titan Thanos (Josh Brolin) and both Groot (Vin Diesel) & Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), who want Quill's bounty. All of them end up in prison where they come across Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), and from then on all five of them escape and try to find out the secrets of the orb. Hopefully before the pursuing villains Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) & Nebula (Karen Gillan) seize control of it.
It's wonderfully casted, and all out fun from beginning to end. My only complaint with the story is that Peter's origin with his mother is entirely different from the original source material, and it really isn't all that interesting or compelling when it's reincorporated later. Thankfully it doesn't hinder the story much, or underwhelm any of the solid acting, hilarious pop culture and great music choices that build up the movies soundtrack. The visual effects are fantastic, and the lack of mentioning Earth really helps build upon how far away they are from where all other Marvel movies are set. Bradley Cooper pretty much steals the show with his voice performance as Rocket, but my fan boy moment would have to be that they casted one of my favourite cowboy actors Josh Brolin as the voice of one of Marvel's greatest villains Thanos. The delivery was impeccable, and if the rumours are true that he will be the villain in "Avengers 3" I very much look forward to see what they do.
In conclusion, whereas most comic book movies have spent the last couple of years trying to be dark and gritty, I love how laid back this one is. Confidence shows, and the ride is all the more sweeter because of it. There are plenty of great cameos and Easter eggs to enjoy and by the end, I feel this is the best comic book team movie done yet (Stay through the credits).
Final Verdict: I look forward to becoming more familiar with the series after this, as James Gunn has crafted a wonderful movie. Had he not have to work in the confines of the rating system, we probably would have got his zaniest and the best Marvel movie to date. But the results nevertheless are a fun and quirky adventure, that comic book movies need more of. 8/10.