The Guardians of the Galaxy have finally made it to Earth.

The film has been a long time coming and when this new Marvel team were first announced, many film fans asked ‘Who?’.

Yet, under the guiding eye of director and co-writer James Gunn, the film has managed to do something incredible – turn a Marvel comic book film into a sci-fi adventure. Literally.

Here are 15 reasons why seeing Guardians of the Galaxy will be the most fun you’ll have at the cinema this year:


1. Hey! That’s my funny bone!

There is plenty to love about Guardians but the main thing that makes it such a fun, enjoyable film is the humour. It’s constant and unrelenting and just when you think the film might be taking a turn for the serious, your funny bone is hit again.



2. Literally the most fun you can have at the cinema

One of the funniest running jokes in the film is thanks to some of the galaxy’s inhabitants not being able to understand humour that isn’t literal. Just don’t tell Drax that, it will go over his head. He doesn’t understand metaphors you see.

3. The soundtrack

The tone was set early on when the first trailer was released to the not-so-dulcit tones of Blue Swede’s Hooked on a Feeling. The film builds on that great 80s feel, with a soundtrack that boasts music from David Bowie, 10cc and Marvin Gaye, to name but a few – and of course it’s all played on a cassette player.

4. Chris Pratt

When he was chosen as the lead, a lot of people were surprised but nobody seemed unhappy. Pratt was known for his TV roles in Everwood and Parks and Recreation but has successfully taken the leap over to the big screen thanks to roles in Zero Dark Thirty and The Lego Movie where he voiced the lead character.

He bulked up a lot for Guardians and it was well worth the effort. The physicality of his performance, mixed with the hilarious way he delivers his lines, makes for a fascinating lead.

5. I am Groot

‘I am Groot’. That’s it. That’s all he can say. Yet Groot proves to be one of the most expressive characters of the entire film. Silent Bob for a new generation, Groot is firmly *ahem* rooted (sorry!) in this story and conveys so much with just a look or the inflection with which he says those infamous three words.

His chats with Rocket are pure class – especially as Rocket seems to understand something everyone else is missing.

6. That’s what I call teamwork

This is not a group of people who work well together. They’re all criminals, thieves, thugs. They’re not particularly nice. Often, they’re cold and vicious. Yet somehow, you put the five of them together and magic is made. Led superbly by Pratt, the central team – which also consists of Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel (voice) and Bradley Cooper (voice) – is so complex and brilliantly written that it makes their stories that much more interesting.



7. The ensemble cast

The cast list for this film is absolutely enormous. Aside from the central five characters, there is Karen Gillan, Glenn Close, Peter Serafinowicz, John C. Reilly, Djimon Hounsou, Benicio del Toro… you get the point! Every single actor, though, no matter how small their part might be, is vital and plays their part to perfection.

8. Copycat

While many films try to emulate what has come before and just wind up copying it, Guardians manages to not be a carbon copy of anything else. There is a Star Wars feel to the film – especially with all the fighting far out in space – but it creates enough of its own style to hold its own.

9. Special effects

The world building is given such attention to detail that it feels totally normal that we’re just jumping from planet to planet. Each has a name, a feel, a look – and it really adds such depth to the galaxy we’re hoping they can guard.

10. Surprises

While many film trailers tend to give far too much away before people have had the chance to see the film, there is still plenty here to be surprised by and it’s this element that keeps you guessing right to the end.

11. Comic vs sci-fi

Not a fan of comic book films? No problem. This may be a Marvel movie but it has an entirely different tone to what has come before. This is far more Star Wars than Iron Man. It’s a fun adventure – even if you aren’t a fan of comic book films.


12. Anti-heroes

Unlike many Marvel heroes, these guys really aren’t heroic. They’re not entirely immoral but they have their own reasons motivating them to act. They’re so good at being bad that you can’t help but cheer them on.

13. Strong females

Maybe one day this won’t be a point that needs bringing up but that day isn’t here quite yet. There are some fantastic strong women in this film who aren’t there just to be the token ‘strong female’. They just are – and it makes such a refreshing change. Glenn Close, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan – you wouldn’t mess with any of them!

14. Credit scene

The expected credit scene for this film was so good … they didn’t let us see it. Will it be linking us to Avengers: Age of Ultron or another of the many Marvel films currently in the works? Who knows! However, the cheers might just be heard across the galaxy when the film finally hits cinemas across the world and fans finally get to see it.

15. Animal welfare

The credits insist that no tree people or raccoons were harmed during the making of this film. So that’s a relief!