Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is the summer’s superhero blockbuster and the latest from Marvel Studios. 

You know you’re in safe hands: Marvel are marvellous, however you look at it. The franchise has mastered the art of pleasing comic book aficionados and newcomers alike, as in the phenomenally successful The Avengers (the third highest grossing film in history). 

Guardians of the Galaxy is is classic superhero fare. A group of misfits and criminals, headed by star-man Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), must band together to defeat a Big Bad Villain and save the galaxy. The saviours include a tree-man and a raccoon, played by Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper respectively. Zoe Saldana does what she does best (desirable alien à la Avatar and Startek: Into the Darkness) in her role as the green-complexioned Gamora.

It's a film of firsts for Chris Pratt, of Parks and Recreation fame, who stars his first male lead, and Karen Gillan from Doctor Who in her first major Hollywood film, as the villainous Nebula

The film is giddy and kitsch, refusing to take itself too seriously, which is the secret to its success. It isn't intellectually challenging, but that's not the point. Take the kids, super-size the popcorn and marvel at the visual effects, which are awesome. Though with a budget of $170 million you’d sort of hope so.