Movie Review: "Guardians of the Galaxy"

With Marvel Studios latest movie, they have gone to the bench to highlight some of the lesser known corners of their comic book universe.  In many ways, you could almost say that Guardians of the Galaxy is Marvel Studios throwing down the gauntlet, proving that when it comes to their movies at least, their distinguished competition is completely in the dust.  Guardians of the Galaxy is not so much a superhero movie, but is more a space opera/sci-fi western in the vein of Star Wars, or more accurately, Firefly.  

The story follows Earth born Peter Quill, who was abducted by aliens as a child, and has spent his life since, traversing alien worlds as the outlaw Star-Lord.  Following an opening sequence a little reminiscent of a sci-fi Raiders of the Lost Ark, Quill discovers a mysterious orb that just about everyone in the galaxy seems to be after, but why?  The answer to that question leads Quill to team up with a ragtag group of quirky misfit outlaws, including a gun-toting raccoon, named Rocket, and a talking tree man, who all work together to save the galaxy from the villainous warlord, Ronan the Accuser.

If the above description does not tickle your interests, then don't go to see this movie, but if it does, then you'll enjoy just about everything that this movie has to offer.  Without traipsing into too much spoiler-filled territory, this is a fun movie from start to finish.  You will be laughing almost non-stop.  This is quite possibly the funniest Marvel movie to date, and perhaps the funniest movie of the year, period.  Rocket Raccoon is almost certain to become one of the new favorite Marvel heroes, because let's face it, when you have a talking raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper, who also happens to have short man syndrome, magic happens.

There is just a lot that is charming about Guardians of the Galaxy.  There is a nice dose of action, a ton of laughs, and a little dash of emotion there to tie everything together.  Of course, the main thing people always want to know is if this is the best Marvel movie ever?  I don't know if I would go that far, partly because this movie doesn't have the added benefit that The Avengers had, having had five movies prior to set up all of the characters, rather than having to set them up and then bring them together in the course of two hours, but when Guardians works, it soars.  Plus, I have a feeling that when we finally reach The Avengers 3, this particular chapter in the Marvel saga will be one of the most crucial in understanding what's at stake in that particular adventure for Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

I give Guardians of the Galaxy an A-!