See: Guardians of the Galaxy

I loved Guardians of the Galaxy.  Although I am a fan of the Marvel cinematic universe (particularly the Captain America films and The Avengers, but I will see pretty much any Marvel film) I was apprehensive when I heard their next film was going to be 'Guardians'. This is partially because I'd never heard of the comic and partially because when the posters and trailers were released there was a gun toting raccoon and a tree that could walk.  This did not inspire me with confidence - why couldn't they just forget this rubbish and Make the Black Widow film already? - but I decided I would go anyway. And I am glad that I did.

Chris Pratt is an excellent lead as Peter Quill, like a less serious intergalactic Indiana Jones, endearingly trying to create his own legend as 'Star Lord'.  All of my concerns regarding Rocket (the genetically modified raccoon) and Groot (his walking tree friend-cum-bodyguard) were misplaced - it's not an exaggeration to say that Groot is the emotional heart of the film (and I have to respect Vin Diesel's much reported on extensive voice work for the character) and Bradley Cooper's Rocket is also convincing and sometimes sympathetic character.  Zoe Saldana's Gamora was excellent, if underused. If I have one little quibble it's that the villains are a bit two dimensional - I got the impression that they had a lot of backstory in the comic but this wasn't really reflected in the film (I particularly felt that the relationship between Gamora and her adoptive sister Nebula was problematic and could stand more exploration).  Karen Gillan's Nebula was such a big part of the build-up to the film at comic cons that I expected more. Like her screen sister I felt she was underused. Although she did look extremely cool.

The soundtrack is brilliant (I have found it extremely addictive).  I found the film really uplifting and entertaining.  I would love to see the characters of Guardians to interact with the more established denizens of the Marvel Universe and also to see how they then deal with the broadening of their ideas of aliens and space.  This film is still on at the cinema. Go and see it. 

Rating: 8/10