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For Some Reason, Animated Guardians of the Galaxy Rubs Me The Wrong Way
I don’t know what my problem is! I absolutely loved the Guardians of the Galaxy! It was an amazing film! I loved it and can’t wait to buy it on DVD (which says a lot!). But there’s just something about how the characters are written or portrayed in other media that I can’t stand – and that includes comics! I think part of it is that Star-Lord’s red coat outfit just doesn’t translate well out of live action. He looks dumb. And the writing is just…I don’t know. All I know is that this snippet of an animated Guardians of the Galaxy rubs me the wrong way.
If you like it, by all means, like it! Don’t let me bring you down. I think I’m just unintentionally being some kind of curmudgeon.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 10/4/14
Welcome to a week of firsts! I don’t know if it’s divine intervention or some kind of back room deal, but both Marvel and DC delivered a huge number of new starts and #1 issues this week, which sounds to me like a solid foundation for this week’s reviews. There were so many firsts I couldn’t even get to them all, but I think I picked a nice smattering of titles.
We’ve got #1 issues for the new Thor, Gotham Academy, Guardians 3000, Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier and Lobo, some of which are really good, some of which are mediocre, and at least one of which is the worst comic I’ve ever reviewed in this column! I also included the new Captain America issue, which debuted Sam Wilson as the new Cap!
Thank Stephen Colbert
Comic Book of the Week goes to Gotham Academy for being both adorable and mysterious in pretty much equal measure. That’s a good start for any comic.
I’m going to warn you fine folks in advance though…be careful of my reviews this week. You know I’ve been sticking it out with Batman Eternal since the beginning, but this week…man…I get a little ranty. Keep reading if you dare…
Comic Reviews: Batman Eternal #26, Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #1, Captain America #25, Gotham Academy #1, Guardians 3000 #1, Lobo #1 and Thor #1.
Do You Love the Marvel Movieverse? I Know I Do!
Marvel Studios, being generally awesome, has put together a massive, 5-minute-long trailer for all of their movies to date. I’m not sure why – other than synergy with Guardians of the Galaxy – but who doesn’t love a reminder that the Marvel movies have all been awesome? Did you hear that Guardians of the Galaxy had a $94 million opening weekend? That’s way above predictions! The film is a hit! Go Marvel!
Good times! Now go see Guardians of the Galaxy again!
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Review: Guardians of the Galaxy
Close encounters of the Marvel kind! They took such a risk with this film. Setting the action in outer space. Introducing audiences to a ton of obscure cosmic characters. But every single risk paid off in a big way, because Guardians of the Galaxy is a phenomenal thrillride of pure fun. I’ll admit to being skeptical when the movie was first announced. But every doubt has been laid to rest with this exciting film. It never slows down, it never feels too forced or weird, and most of all, it has the biggest, most beautiful personality of any Marvel movie yet. This film is all about style and substance.
Guardians of the Galaxy is the laugh-out-loud funniest movie of the year. Parts of it are underdeveloped, but the titular team is the most entertaining ensemble since Serenity.
Movie Rating: 9/10 – Great.
If you’ve never read any of the comics, don’t worry, because none of them matter. Guardians of the Galaxy is its own movie, and you don’t need to know any back story or worry about any comic books to enjoy the film on its own. If you have read the comics, and you know your Cosmic Marvel Universe inside and out, you’re going to want to let go of what you already know. Guardians of the Galaxy makes plenty of changes and alters more than a few characters and concepts. If you hold on to your comic book continuity, it’s just going to be an albatross around your neck.
Embrace Guardians of the Galaxy for what it is: an action-packed romp that raises comedic banter to an art form. I can’t remember the last movie that was this cleverly written. Every Marvel movie has included a bit of humor, whether it’s the occasional one-liner or pratfall. But Guardians of the Galaxy is just flat out hilarious. And almost all of it is character based. When the main characters get going, when the quips and barbs start flying, the film shines like the night sky. If you thought the trailers were witty and fun, they were just the tip of the iceberg. The dialogue in this movie is brilliant, and the actors all shine, making the absolute most of what they’re given.
At least that’s the case for the Guardians themselves. They’re the best part of the film. But everything around them — from Nebula to Knowhere to the Nova Corps — is woefully underdeveloped. The movie basically has some big rubber stamps labeled ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’, and after stamping almost all of the supporting characters, it goes back to writing witty dialogue for the Guardians.
Which is exactly why you should see this movie! It’s just plain funny, with a soundtrack of classic 70s and 80s hits that elevate Guardians of the Galaxy into the gem of the summer.
Join me after the jump for my full review. There will be some SPOILERS from here on out, so read at your own risk, movie fans!
I’m Going to See Guardians of the Galaxy Tonight, Who’s With Me?
If you can or can’t make it, maybe you’ll enjoy this LEGO version of one of the TV spots! I know I did!
I love these things. Whoever you are out there who can make these awesome LEGO videos, you are a true Internet magician! Now let’s go see Guardians of the Galaxy!
Henchman-4-Hire 