UPDATE 2017-05-31: This is not the final review of this film. It has been amended with an “Upon Further Consideration” article. Click here to read the newer review.
I was not sure what I was going to think about this movie since it is pretty different from the other films in the Marvel cinematic universe, but Guardians of the Galaxy actually became my favorite film from the Marvel cinematic universe. It knows that it’s a little silly, and therefore does not seem to take itself too seriously, at least during most of the film. I think it could have kept itself more appropriate for children than it did, and it could have been more careful to avoid clichés, but overall it works. The characters are likable and are performed well, and the focus tends to be more on humor than on action, which is always my preference in films of this genre.
This movie clearly has something that the other movies in its universe lack – a unique style. It is colorful and fun, with an awesome soundtrack adding to the fun every few minutes. I mean, any movie that shows the title at the beginning over its main character dancing through a cave to “Come and Get Your Love” is a winner in my book. Also, bonus points for Nebula because Karen Gillan. My biggest complaints with the film are probably the fact that many scenes did feel like they could have been in any of the other Marvel movies – they just felt like generic superhero movie scenes, and the fact that the filters and EQ on Gillan’s voice were not consistent. Most people probably wouldn’t have noticed that last one though; I noticed it because I was listening for her to accidentally lose the American accent at some point, which I don’t think she ever really did. Impressive.
