The Guardians of Summer Entertainment

If you're one of my Facebook friends then for months now you have seen me post numerous things about the  film, The Guardians of the Galaxy.  It's based on an obscure little comic book that even most fan boys have never read, which is why so many of us scratched our heads when Marvel Studios announced it's 2014 release.  

I will admit, I had never read any GotG(Guardians of the Galaxy) before I heard they were making the film.  I knew the names Rocket Raccon and Groot, but not much more than that.  I decided to check out the source material, the 2008 comic book series by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan.  And I LOVED it!  It was so different from the superhero-style comics that Marvel put out.  It was weird, a little quirky, and didn't really take itself seriously. In 2013, Brian Michael Bendis relaunched the series to help people get acquainted with these heroes before the film opened, and it's been a hit ever since.  Seriously, check it out, you'll get all those Peter Quill "dad" references in the film.

Because this property was so unknown the film was Marvel's Studio's biggest gamble since their first film, Iron Man.  Park and Recreations star Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, a human who grows up with a band of intergalactic thieves. Quill finds an orb that everyone is after, including that purple guy who was at the end of The Avengers, Thanos.  Peter then finds an entourage of misfits and outsiders who decide to come together to protect the orbs power from Ronan the Accuser, a Kree criminal who wants to kill billions of people on the planet Xandar.

This film felt like The Avengers in that it was fun as hell!  There were a lot of laughs and a lot of action to make it the perfect summer popcorn film for everyone to watch.  The characters were really the thing that made it pop.  The five leads just sitting around talking were some of the best scenes.  And these characters could have turned out sooo bad.  

Being familiar with Pratt's work I wasn't worried about him carrying this film at all.  Zoe Saldana as Gamora was probably the safest bet; her being a veteran to sci-fi films like Star Trek and Avatar.  Vin Diesel's unique voice was perfect for the character of Groot, who only is supposed to say three words, ever.  But I'll get to that.  Pro wrestler Dave Bautista could have also been bad, but Drax the Destroyer seemed to be tailor made to fit his "range" as an actor. Finally, Rocket Raccon was voiced by Hollywood pretty boy, Bradley Cooper.  Sure there were dozens of animators that helped bring Rocket to life, but I think Cooper did a great job of bringing this character out, so much that sometimes I forgot it was Cooper, and isn't that the point?  

The other actors were small and really unimportant. Lee Pace as Ronan was effective, but not memorable and complex like Loki.  Djimon Hounsou(who I think should be playing Black Panther) was a waste of talent in this film.  Meanwhile, award-winning thespians John C. Reilly and Glenn Close didn't even have enough screen time to have character personalities.  The best supporting role I felt was Karen Gillan as Gamora's sister, Nebula.  She didn't say much, but carried that character with attitude.  I would have loved to have seen that sibling rivalry more, but that's what sequels are for.

Now for the knit-picking kids!  First off, the Nova Corps is Marvel's version of the Green Lantern Corp; each with tremendous power.  So why did they seem more like a pathetic, galactic, military.  None of them showed the strength a Nova Corps member was supposed to have. GotG is about opening up the Marvel "universe" so let's see the universal police be badass so people will say, "I want to see more of that."  As of right now I don't want more Glenn Close unless she plans on boiling a bunny.

Gamora seemed a little too good.  This is a girl who was raised as a warrior to kill and is the most feared woman in the galaxy.  Why did she seem as pure as Princess Leia?  Right now I fear Black Widow more than Gamora. 

"I am Groot".  That's all I've ever read Groot saying in any comic book, EVER. "We are Groot" does not make sense.  It took me out of the film.  In fact it made some people in the audience laugh at a moment that was supposed to be sad and sweet. I am Groot. That's all we'll ever need.  And as for the post-credit scene?  I found it funny, but these extra bits at the end usually add something to what is to come in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Is this a hint of things to come, or just a silly thing to make people laugh and say WTF?  I'm gonna go with option B.

I had high expectations for this film, and although I really liked it, I didn't LOVE it. It's a great sci-fi/comic book film that I can't wait to see a sequel too, but the plot was simple and nobody outside of the main cast is worth remembering. Well, maybe Michael Rooker.  However, I do hope this shows J.J. Abrams what today's audience is looking for in it's sci-fi/fantasy.  I had a blast watching this film, and I'm glad everyone else did too.  Now, to all of my Facebook friends who got annoyed with all my GotG posts.  You're Welcome. 

Rating:  B+

P.S. What's on your Awesome Mix?

Casting Call: Aquaman

Last week I read an article online where actor Leonardo DiCaprio gave $10 million for ocean conservation.  In that same week the Internet was buzzing how Jason Momoa was officially cast as Aquaman in the DC cinematic universe; although still not confirmed by Momoa, Warner Bros, or director Zach Snyder.  I think Momoa has the attitude to play the King of the Seven Seas, but he doesn't quite have the look, and the possible depth.  But you know who does; Leonardo DiCaprio.

Unfortunately any Aquaman movie will be compared to the parody film starring Vincent Chase from HBO's Entourage.  But I think if Leo brought the commitment and performance he has when working with Martin Scorsese I think he could rock this franchise. Especially with a great supporting cast.  

Leonardo DiCaprio as Arthur Curry/Orin/Aquaman

DiCaprio has been proving himself as a great actor as far back as What's Eating Gilbert Grape.  He also has given some great performances in films like The Aviator, The Departed, and the Wolf of Wall Street.  He has the look and the scowl that goes with the character.  I feel like DiCaprio could really make this film great and help make the public think of Aquaman as the bad ass ocean hero he is instead of the butt of every DC punchline.

Karen Gillan as Mera

If you're going to have Leonardo DiCaprio play Aquaman then you have to have a strong female lead to play opposite him.  Mera becomes the queen of Atlantis and possesses aquakinesis that helps her control water and bend it to her will.  She also is just as tough as Aquaman, and was originally sent to kill him, before she fell in love with him.   

This was probably the hardest part to cast.  I considered former co-stars of Leo's like Vera Farmiga and Kate Winslet, but I wanted an actress who is tall-ish so she'd command a presence. But she also has to have the good range of emotion Mera would have to bring; from kick-ass to compassionate.  And I wanted a redhead.  Gillian is most famous for her role as Amy Pond in Doctor Who. This summer we'll see her play the deadly Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy.  This role proves to me that Gillan has the physicality and commitment to play Mera.  Especially after she shaved her head just to be in GotG.

Idris Elba as David/Black Manta

As Aquaman's most famous villain you need an actor with a high level of skill.  Elba has been phenomenal in films like Thor, Pacific Rim, and the television show Luthor.  He has a distinct quality I think would really bring this character to life.

Black Manta and Aquaman have been bitter rivals ever since Black Manta killed Aquaman's father, though Manta also blames Aquaman for his own father's death.  That kind of hatred can run deep, and come across great with the right pair; such as DiCaprio and Elba.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Orm/Ocean Master

No rivalry is more heated than that of two brothers fighting over the throne of a kingdom.  Orm is the younger brother of Aquaman who rules when the king passes, that is until Arthur returns to Atlantis and Orm steps down to let Arthur rule.  However, when Orm sees that his brother shows too much compassion for the surface world he conspires against him.

Meyers has had some great roles in television shows like The Tudors and Dracula.  He has also had quite the film career in movies like Mission Impossible: III and Match Point.  He walks the line of good guy/criminally insane.  I think Meyers would play well off of Dicaprio.  I say it would even rival the Hemsworth/Hiddleston chemistry.

Corbin Bleu as Jackson Hyde/Kaldur'ahm/Aqualad

This character was originally created for the short-lived television series Young Justice, but was so unique Geoff Johns brought him to DC Comics in Brightest Day.  Jackson has spend his whole life on the surface world never knowing his true origins. Black Manta comes looking for him one day revealing he is from the underwater world Xebel, he can manipulate water like Mera, and that Manta is his real father!  Kaldur has even more of a methodical origin, but this is just to tip of the iceberg.  While I respect and like the first Aqualad, Garth, I think Kaldur would be a little more interesting for the big screen.

When I did my Young Justice casting call I said Bleau should play Aqualad and I'm sticking by it.  Most famous for his role in Disney's High School Musical franchise, Bleu has went on to do many guest spots and even had a recurring role on One Life To Live.  This would be the role Bleu has been waiting for.  It's something he can really sink his teeth into and show the range I believe he has.