If it seems like everyone around you wants to take Guardians of the Galaxy to Vegas, marry it, and have its children, you’re not alone.

Forced to work alongside a group of misfits to save a mysterious orb from the hands of a powerful villain, amateur thief Peter Quill believes fate has brought them together to save the world.

What to make of Marvel’s insanely successful Guardians of the Galaxy? Is it the best thing since sliced bread?

No.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun.
In fact, many may be surprised to learn that Guardians is the first Marvel film I’ve given a positive review.  Its irreverent and zany humor mixed with its fun retro soundtrack brings a fresh feeling to the superhero genre, and the film’s full of a number of intimate and intense moments.

The prison escape scene, in particular, makes Guardians shine out above the rest. And let’s not forget Chris Pratt — Hollywood’s most unlikely leading man. The chubby idiot from Parks and Rec sure does clean up good, and his charm and wit single-handedly make Guardians what it is.

But it still can’t shake off its stereotypical Marvel superhero trappings. Yes, it’s predictable. And yes, it’s about a super bad guy trying to destroy the world. Again. Which is becoming such an unbelievably tired plot point that I couldn’t help but mentally check out whenever Ronan was onscreen.

Guardians of the Galaxy features a great ensemble cast that play to each other’s strengths, and a surprisingly emotional plot. The movie doesn’t have much substance, but it’s a fun time with memorable characters. Long after the credits roll, you’ll remember Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star Lord — but probably not what they were trying to guard in the first place.

Guardians of the Galaxy is rated PG-13 for “intense sci fi action and violence, and brief language.”

© Matt Tory, 2014.