Marvel Studios continue to ride high on the crest of a
wave - following the incredible success of the awesome Avengers movie, Iron Man
3 and Thor were both critical and box office hits, and anticipation of the new
Captain America movie 'The Winter Soldier' is high following two acclaimed Trailers. Part of Marvel's continued success is their
willingness to treat each film as different in its own right, instead of formulaic
carbon-copy sequels, each one has been significantly influenced by different
genre movies. They're also willing to
take pretty big risks on unknown or unlikely actors for lead roles, as well as
unlikely directors for their films.
But the apparent 'risk' they've taken in the past is
nothing compared to the absolutely huge gamble they're taking with the next
release after the new Captain America; 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is not exactly
their best known comic, by a long run.
And to say it's got a far out concept is to really understate things: a
team of intergalactic bandits, which consists of a human, three aliens
(one of whom is a walking tree) and a gun-toting raccoon. Yes, you read that sentence correctly,
especially the part about the tree and the raccoon. So, you've got space adventure which is
likely to be even more far-fetched than anything we've seen in the Thor movies,
and some really bizarre characters - none of whom are going to be known to
anyone but the most ardent Comic fans.
So, many people are looking at this as the first
significant test for Marvel Studios, their first real gamble (since they
started out in 2008 with Iron Man, to a certain degree). People are looking at this in one of two ways
- either it will win audiences over, despite the wacky concepts and characters,
and be a hit - or it will be Marvel's first major flop as a Studio. And everyone agrees, there is significant
work to be done in getting audiences on board - which has now begun, in the
form of the film's first trailer now released on-line:
And, the general consensus has been positive - there are
flashes of humour to this, as well as some flashy space-bound bits, which sell
the fact that, yes, this is space-set sci-fi - but there's also a sense of
irreverence and fun about it. Now,
Marvel Studio films don't forget their sense of fun, but it looks this one will
have the humour really at the fore. It's
hard to tell from this trailer, as it doesn't delve in to the story at all, but
it's likely there will be some 'serious' elements to it - Comic fans will be
able to draw connecting threads from this to Thanos (the red guy who briefly appeared during the mid-credits scene at the end of 'Avengers'), prompting
speculation that this is leading to the third Avengers movie being based around
The Infinity Gauntlet, which has featured in a few significant comic story-lines. If this is the case, then
despite the humorous approach, the stakes will be high in 'Guardians', and will
have an impact on future Marvel movies - which is all part of what makes their
films so exciting.
Although there's little suggestion of the story, this trailer
not only gets the fun tone across, it plays an important role in presenting the
central characters to the average cinema-going public who won't be aware of the comic. These are Peter Quill (who'd
prefer to be known as 'Star Lord'), played by Chris Pratt (currently voicing
Emmett in the tremendously fun LEGO Movie); Drax the Destroyer (played by MMA/Wrestler
turned actor Dave Bautista - you may have spotted him in the
recent Riddick movie); Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana (best known for Avatar and
as Uhura in JJ Abram's rebooted Star Trek); Rocket Raccoon who will be voiced
by Bradley Cooper (no doubt bringing snarky attitude like he did in 'The
Hangover' and 'The A-Team'); and finally Groot (who will be voiced by Vin Diesel - possibly taking the easiest pay-check of his career, as the character
is noted in the comics for only being able to say one phrase - 'I am Groot').
The trailer focuses on Peter Quill (sorry, Star Lord!), clearly
wishing to show audiences there is a strong human connection as far as this
story is involved. The trailer doesn't
give a lot of his back-story away (apparently he was taken from earth as a
child, which in the Marvel Studio's timeline would be the 1980's - hence his
attachment to his Walkman!), but it does show how Pratt will be playing the
character - kind of like Han Solo's goofier, but none-the-less scoundrel-ish
younger brother. We then get introduced
to the rest of the team - and this is where repeated viewings of the trailer,
in 1080p, are essential, because what the two 'space police officers' from the
NOVA Corps (comics fans will know who they are) - played by the great John C. Reilly and Peter Serafinowicz - don't mention in their voice-over is shown on
the screen. We get an insight in to Grax's motivation
(revenge for the death of his family) and his powers (strength and
regeneration), and those of Gamora also - but what it doesn't say about her is
her personal connection to Thanos, as comic fans will all be aware of...
 |
| Not your Usual Suspects... |
Then we come to what has the potential to be the real
wild-card of the group, and this film's secret weapon - Rocket Raccoon. Aside from his introduction, we don't get to
see enough of this character in action for my liking - but seeing as he's going
to be realised with CGI, it's understandable there may not actually be that
much in the way of finished footage to use.
The trailer quickly sets out that he's quite the criminal, but if you
pause the trailer you get a better idea of why there is a gun-toting raccoon in
this film - he's described as a 'cybernetic/genetic experiment on a lower
life-form' who has a 'tendency to bite'.
Apparently, in the comics he is one angry, wise-cracking little critter, and it looks
like that's going to come across here.
Out of everything in this film, this character is the one I'm most
excited about - there is something that is so awesome and crazy about the idea of a bionic,
genetically enhanced, gun-toting raccoon which just simply brings a smile to my
face. I can see Rocket Raccoon being a
bit hit with kids of all ages (the little 'uns will respond to the cute factor
of a raccoon while those a little older will respond to the fact he has
attitude), and if he doesn't steal this movie with his potential awesome-craziness I will
be more than a little disappointed!
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| If this Raccoon doesn't blow everyone away this summer - and I'm not just talking about the villains in this movie - I'll be sorely disappointed... |
Finally, we have Groot, the walking tree - who we're told
is a 'Humanoid Plant Inhabitant of Taluhnia', and is Rocket's bodyguard/muscle
(oh, and houseplant). On his own, the
concept of this character is even more bizarre than Rocket - however, the
trailer has already established that this film takes place in a galaxy of
numerous alien races, so bearing that in mind, Groot isn't that hard a concept
to sell.
Then we get a few shots from throughout the movie, showing
some action beats and spaceship stuff that looks as impressive as anything from
Star Wars. There's little of the
villains on show, although we do get a couple of glimpses of Karen 'Amy Pond off-of Doctor Who' Gillan as Nebula (that's right, she shaved her head for the
role!), but nothing of Lee Pace (best known as Thranduil in the over-long
Hobbit trilogy) as big-bad Ronan the Accuser.
All of this is played out to the most obvious soundtrack for a sci-fi
adventure: no, none of those Zimmer-esque 'BARRAHHMS!!!', the song used is a
'70's track called 'Hooked on a Feeling' by Blue Swede. If THAT doesn't tell you that this is a
sci-fi movie unlike any other, than what else will?
This film could end up being a complete mess, or it could
end up being completely triumphant fun - it's still too early to tell from this
trailer. But what is true is that Marvel
have a lot of work to make casual cinema-goers care about this film, and this
crazy team of characters - what this trailer does do is convey the fun tone
they're aiming for, and introduce us to the team. Considering the buzz that's surrounding this
trailer, it seems that Marvel Studios are off to a good start. But we'll find out for sure in August...
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