New super hero movie a hit, quirky story line and cast appealling

Jordan Young, Web Editor

Not many people might have imagined 20, 10, or even 5 years ago that Hollywood would produce a movie featuring a talking raccoon, a walking tree, a muscle headed blue guy, a soft hearted assassin and a wisecracking, witty thief as the main protagonists in a movie. But then again, someone did, and fortunately for moviegoers and Marvel’s quickly expanding pocket book, it worked.

Guardians of the Galaxy, the newest installment in the growing Marvel franchise, is primarily set on the opposite side of the Marvel Universe in an unidentified galaxy run amuck by multi-faceted creatures and other interesting living things. Besides being a mere addition to the franchise, Guardians brings its own flare and quality as a blockbuster hit.

The adventure-comedy begins on earth, witnessing the death of main character Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) mother during his childhood in the late 80s and shortly after his abduction to the galaxy “far, far, away.”

Quill is changed forever from his traumatic experience and grows up to become an edge-walking and 70s music loving thief.  His antics land him in trouble with Ronan (Lee Pace) a powerful and horrifying villain, after stealing a highly sought after orb ,unknowingly to Quill, that Ronan plans to use in destroying the universe. To get the orb back, Ronan sends his assassin gone double-agent, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), to retrieve the orb from Quill.

Soon enough, characters Rocket (Bradley Cooper), a gun carrying slightly dark humored raccoon, Groot (Vin Diesel), a human-like tree and revenge seeking widower Drax the Destroyer (Dave Batista), are thrown together by what seems like chance, luck and destiny to join Quill and Gomorra to become a universe-saving, villain-butt kicking team.

What makes this group of interesting super-heroes a hit is their goofy aura and presence on film. Sure they had to save the universe from sudden destruction propelled by a madman. But, hey, that doesn’t mean Quill doesn’t have the time to break out into a dance battle before being potentially slaughtered by Ronan.

Another elementof their likability is their ability to relate. Initially none of them are heroes. Only misfits, the low of the low, the unloved. And it’s not that all people are like that, but the fact that they reconfigure themselves to save the world reveals the theme of redemption and hope on a much deeper level. Upon meeting each other, their only goals were to use one another to make money (Groot, Rocket and Quill) or fulfill vengeance (Drax). The only remotely heroic character was Gamorra, who wanted to give the orb to someone who would keep it safe. Thankfully, along the way motives are changed and viola, super-heroes are born.

That quality also, the focus on friendship, makes Guardians a breath of fresh air, something meaningful and simply different.

But no one could ever forget the additional humor and clips of timely music. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell to signify the triumphant ending? Classic. “Ooh Child” by The Five Stairsteps after the big battle? Completely original and unique.  I’m just thankful that the characters don’t sing along…except for a quick rendition by Quill during his dance battle. But that’s a different story.

Random, weird and quirky, that’s what the movie seemed to be going for. Just an incredibly enjoyable time that provides characters and a story far from the ordinary superhero mold.