Guardians of the Galaxy: A True Underdog Story

comedy, superhero

2:02

PG-13

2014

Review by Brandon Talks Movies on Dec 07, 2016

You said it, bitch. We’re the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn (Super) and starring Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, and Zoe Saldana, was a risky movie to make, especially for the budget Marvel Studios gave it: $170 million. Gunn, the director, had no major successes and only one movie to his name, and Pratt, the main star, was untested as an action hero. The source material, The Guardians of the Galaxy from Marvel Comics, was a relatively unknown franchise. Did the risk pay off? Yes. It paid off in a big way.

The plot follows Peter Quill, some sort of space outlaw, as he pulls a heist that ends up being much more than he bargained for. He soon falls in with a band of misfit criminals and anti-heroes who are drawn together by the gravity of Peter’s situation, although they can’t agree on where to go, what to do, or even how to work together. Threats are made and guns are drawn as the stakes get higher and higher, eventually forcing each of the characters to choose what kinds of heroes they want to be.

What should we do next: Something good? Something bad? Bit of both?

Reading over that plot summary, I’ll admit: the story seems pretty cliche. There are no mind-blowing plot twists, no interesting uses of technology, no profound statements on the human condition. What elevates this movie are the extremely witty writing and great comical performances by each of the lead actors. This is a very funny movie. From the opening heist sequence where we meet Peter as an adult to the hilariously ill-conceived rescue attempt by Rocket to the best plan ever for defeating a powerful villain, I just loved watching these underdog characters struggle through what other superheroes would have handled gracefully. Each of the heroes grows and matures, and their growth is very satisfying, but the laughs and anti-hero antics are the best part.

I couldn’t help but root for the Guardians as I watched this. It’s a film where you want the heroes to win—not for the triumph of good over evil, but because you see that these people can be heroes and they have never been given that credit. If you’ve ever wanted someone to be recognized for some virtue they can’t even see in him or herself, you’ll empathize with this crew. As funny as it is, it’s pretty touching at the same time.

Should I Watch Guardians of the Galaxy?

Though Guardians of the Galaxy is a superhero movie (based on Marvel Comics), it’s a lot of fun, requires no knowledge of other Marvel franchises (aside from a quick cameo from a major recurring villain), and is very accessible and relatable. There will be some who don’t care for action or superhero flicks regardless of these factors, but I think this movie has a broader appeal than the vast majority of other similar movies. It’s fun, it’s action-packed, and it’s got heart. If that sounds interesting to you, check it out!

Movies Like Guardians of the Galaxy

Thor: Ragnorak (2017) - Another MCU film set in space with similar humor. This is about as close as you can get to Guardians.
Serenity (2005) - Not a superhero film, but this is instead based on the (all too short) series Firefly. Joss Whedon’s wit and humor and a solid sci-fi setting make this a similar watch. For the best experience, watch Firefly first. It’s only 14 episodes, and it’s also Guardians-like.
The Suicide Squad (2021) - Since making his superhero debut with Guardians, Gunn has been recruited by DC to bring some of their franchises to life, and The Suicide Squad has his trademark humor. Gunn took a lot of the minor characters from the DC universe and turned another underdog story into a success.

Academy Awards

Nominations: Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling (Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou, David White), Best Achievement in Visual Effects (Stephane Ceretti, Nicolas Aithadi, Jonathan Fawkner, Paul Corbould)

Runtime: 2:02
Director: James Gunn
Year: 2014
Genres: comedy, superhero
Rating: PG-13

About Brandon

My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.

Guardians of the Galaxy: A True Underdog Story

Should I Watch Guardians of the Galaxy?

Movies Like Guardians of the Galaxy

Academy Awards

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