We’re nine movies into my Marvel Cinematic Universe rewatch, and we’ve only had four lead characters. Setting aside The Avengers, it’s been Iron Man (3 films), The Hulk (1), Captain America (2), and Thor (2) leading the way. The landscape changes drastically for the 10th installment. We’re leaving the confines of Earth for a cool adventure to the stars. James Gunn takes the reins for a very different type of franchise film.
It’s easy to forget how risky Guardians of the Galaxy felt when it arrived in August 2014. Marvel had to release a box-office disappointment at some point, right? While not every film has been a hit, the consistency in the MCU has been remarkable. The franchise shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon even after the pandemic. Rewinding back seven years, the formula was still taking shape at that point. The success of The Avengers encouraged more risk taking in Phase Two, and this film is a perfect example.
I didn’t remember just how much world building happens in this film, especially with the Infinity Stones. The Collector (Benicio Del Toro) takes a few minutes to explain to the audience why these powerful items are so important. He basically provides us with the set-up for the plan Thanos will put in place for Infinity War. This movie focuses on the Power Stone, which is mostly the MacGuffin to keep the plot rolling along. Everyone seeks The Orb for money, power, or total destruction, and few know why they’re really going for it. It’s a classic movie story placed within the confines of the needs of the larger franchise.
Losers, Fanatics, and Ravagers
You can pinpoint the exact moment when Chris Pratt became a star. Sure, he’d appeared in some movies like Moneyball and had a longstanding role on Parks and Rec. He seemed like more a supporting player than a lead, however. When Peter Quill starts dancing on Morag to “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, it’s the perfect spot for Pratt. While he’s a poor fit for generic blockbusters like The Tomorrow War, Pratt shines in this lighthearted role. It may seem obvious now, but this role as Quill was a revelation at the time.
Guardians of the Galaxy shines because of its supporting cast even more than Pratt. Zoe Saldana brings just the right mix of sternness and warmth to Gamora, and Dave Bautista (known mostly as a wrestler back then) is hilarious as Drax. He draws many of the biggest laughs with his literal interpretation of everything. Rocket Raccoon is a bit too much on a rewatch, but his scenes with Groot still work well. It’s tough to even recognize the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel here. When you add in Benicio Del Toro, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, and even Glenn Close to the mix, it’s an eclectic cast.
This story also introduces Josh Brolin as Thanos in the character’s first real scene. His quick appearance in The Avengers‘ mid-credits scene just gave us a hint. Lee Pace’s Ronan is set up as a brutal conqueror, but he seems puny when compared to the Mad Titan. Brolin has limited screen time, but his presence hangs over everything. The way that Gamora and Nebula (Gillan) talk about their father reveals his power and cruelty. Ronan also introduces the Kree to the MCU, and they’ll play a much larger role in Captain Marvel.
B-Movie Charms
James Gunn had only directed two feature films (Slither, Super) before taking this difficult job. He started out with Troma Studios and had largely made his career as a writer up to this point. His background in low-budget films pays huge dividends here. Guardians has a huge budget and constant visual effects, but its style reminds me of B movies. The sense of silliness even in the big moments stands apart from the previous MCU films. Gunn also co-wrote this film with Nicole Perlman, and his stamp is everywhere.
There’s a risk in losing any dramatic weight amid the jokes, and certain moments risk devolving into total chaos. It takes the story a little while to get moving; it’s really the second hour where the adventure really clicks. Once the gang escapes from the Kyln, the main plot with the Orb and Ronan takes over. The big stakes with the Power Orb are legit, and everyone works together for what’s basically a suicide mission to save Xandar.
Beyond the plot, it’s the music that sticks with you from Guardians of the Galaxy. Inspired choices like “Hooked on a Feeling”, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”, and “Moonage Daydream” are just a few of many examples. It’s no surprise that the soundtrack is a key part of the Mission: Breakout! attraction at Disney California Adventure. With the massive rollercoaster Cosmic Rewind arriving in 2022 and another sequel on the way, these characters aren’t going anywhere. I enjoyed going back to the original to remember why they’ve resonated with us for such a long time.
Favorites: Guardians of the Galaxy
- Scene(s): Any scenes that feature the soundtrack, especially Peter’s intro to “Come and Get Your Love”
- Character: Gamora has a slight edge over Rocket Raccoon and Groot.
- Shot: Groot lights up and protects the group as they crash to the Xander surface
- Action Scene: The gang works together for the prison escape from the Kyln.
- Surprise: Largely unknown characters inject new life into the MCU.
The credits scenes match the general vibe of the movie; they’re silly and just provide a little fun. First, Baby Groot dances to “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5 while Drax sharpens his knives. It’s a light way to remind us that Groot lives on in a different form. The post-credits scene includes a cameo from Howard the Duck. Cosmo the Dog (based on Laika from the Russian space program) licks the Collector’s face and draws a snarky comment from Howard. These fun references to the comics are great for fans and hint at a larger world of odder characters to come.
Next Time on the MCU Rewatch
We’ll reach the second big marker on this journey next time with the Avengers: Age of Ultron. I haven’t watched this second Avengers film since the movie theater, so it will be interesting to see how it holds up on a rewatch. I am excited to see the real start of Wanda and Vision after enjoying WandaVision so much. Stay tuned as we continue this adventure through the MCU! We’ll return tomorrow with my updated MCU rewatch rankings! I’ll list out my favorite films, villains, and supporting characters up to this point of the franchise.
Related Articles: Guardians of the Galaxy
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Thor (MCU Rewatch #4)
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The Avengers (MCU Rewatch #6)
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier (MCU Rewatch #9)
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