Flashy, perilous and action-packed, the movie, Guardians of the Galaxy, plows into theaters this weekend and it’s good.  Not even 10 minutes into the film and the roller coaster ride begins in this space adventure battleground for control of the universe.  Well-acted and directed, the movie laces eye-popping CGI with fine camerawork drawing the viewer into a swift-moving chase around the galaxy that lasts for nearly 2 hours. Targeted for the thrill seeker, this movie should hit the bull’s eye for a big box-office take.

Young Peter Quill walks into his dyeing mother’s hospital room for a last goodbye.  He’s an unprepared youngster that’s about to lose a mom and his last parent.  She passes and Peter runs out of the building in the path of a spaceship that transports him inside.  Flash forward 26 years later and we find the grown Quill (Chris Pratt) in the midst of acquiring a special orb that’s worth a good deal of money for his efforts.  Upon exiting the building however, he runs into Gamora (Zoe Saldana) a space pirate who snatches the object leading to a wild chase by Quill to get it back.

Quill (Pratt) stares at the Orb

During the pursuit he runs into Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) a feisty raccoon and his pal Groot (voice of Vin Diesel) a mobile space tree that get into the act. The four are arrested and thrown into a Nova Prison. After the four space aliens find they can work together, an adventure beyond belief begins. Director James Gunn does a great job of sucking his audience into the action and never letting go. From its cool run of seamless spontaneity that excites with unusual villains, coupled with the unlikely team of allies that add comedy and camaraderie it’s a fight to save the planet of Nova and bring order to the Universe.

Gunn adds a cool soundtrack of 80’s rock that keeps the film upbeat and rhythmic.  “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede, “Cherry Bomb” performed by The Runaways, “Ooh Child” by the The Five Stairsteps, “I Want you Back” by the Jackson Five, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Come And Get Your Love” Performed by Redbone and many more blare from Quills cassette player at just the right moment during his adventure team’s attempt to save the Galaxy.

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Groot, Drax (Dave Bautista), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and Rocket

I’m impressed with Chris Pratt’s performance as Peter Quill.  Much like Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raider’s of the Lost Ark and Han Solo in Star Wars, Peter puts on a memorable show with that same kind of plucky swashbuckling momentum that glues you to the screen.  Marvel has had a lot of success with elevating actors like Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Chris Evans (Captain America) and with a long list of support performances, this breakout lead for Pratt should give a huge boost to his career.

The feisty Rocket voiced by Bradley Cooper

The fun roles of Rocket, Groot and Gamora to name a few really give the film that adventure feel of movies from the past. Already mentioned Star Wars and Indiana Jones Trilogy, there’s many more that I can recall that still stick in my memory and this film conjures up that kind of energy and feel. Even though Rocket and Groot are voiced characters they are today’s CGI winners that create the fun of the quest.  Zoe Saldana stands out as the princess who knows how to defend herself and punish those that try to upset the mission to obtain the orb.  Instead of blue as she was in Avatar, this time she’s covered from head to toe in green.

Drax in the middle of some awesome CG!

Guardians of the Galaxy has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language.  The film has been released in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.  This review was written after seeing the 3D version and there’s a lot popping in this adventure.  Depth of field works wonders, especially during the fighting in the galaxy between ships and space pods.  It’s like there amongst the battle yet watching safely from afar.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Perfect for Marvel fans, video gamers or action/adventure seekers. (B+)

Additional Film Information:
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, with John C. Reilly, Glenn Close as Nova  Prime and Benicio Del Toro as The Collector
Directed and co-writer: James Gunn
Genre: Action-Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language
Running Time: 2 hrs 1 min
Release Date: August 1, 2014
Distributed by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
Release Formats:2D, 3D, IMAX 3D