Such a pleasant surprise to round out the summer blockbuster season. Guardians of the Galaxy is quite possibly the best Marvel superhero movie ever! Whether you’re a fan of comic book genre action films or someone who loves character actors with witty and edgy dialog, you will most likely thoroughly enjoy this film. Everything from the completely un-original soundtrack to the casting (with one exception) to the well executed dialog, made this a fun movie to watch and laugh along with. I am someone who typically doesn’t jump at this genre of film; but thankfully, I was invited with some friends to see it. And, I am very happy I decided to go. Probably the best part was the audience all joining the soundtrack and singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (the Michael McDonald/Diana Ross version) at the close of the film. If you are a child of the 70s/80s or just love the pop music from that era, you will likely find yourself signing along with the movie.

Guardians of the Galaxy plot summary: After stealing a mysterious orb, American pilot/outlaw hero Peter Quill is hunted down and thrown into an inter-galactic prison. In order to secure his freedom, Quill reluctantly joins forces with alien bandits Drax, Gamora, Rocket and Groot to form an alliance of misfits known as the Guardians of the Galaxy, and with the all-powerful villain Ronan hunting the orb, the fate of the universe is in their hands.

Who would’ve known that former schlub Chris Pratt (as he was introduced to mass audiences on Parks and Recreation), who plays Starlord, would turn out to be a sexy buff Han Solo-esque character in a movie that is both a figurative Firefly pitched at 15-16yos with many nods and easter eggs pointed at Star Wars. One of the funniest and slightly irreverent lines in the whole movie was when the comment is made about Starlord’s ship being filthy; and he replies with a line about how if one used a backlight, his ship would look like a Jackson Pollock painting. Fortunately, many of the lines filled with adult innuendo will go right over the kid’s heads that are most likely watching the movie. But, it gives something for the parents, college students, and young professionals to laugh alone with.

Each one of the characters is very unique and offers a different brand of entertainment. There is the badass feminist Gamora (played by Zoe Seldana), the only obvious casting mistake in the movie; the cynical Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper); the heartwarming Groot (played by Vin Diesel); and the tough guy with a heart of gold Drax (played by WWE’s Dave Bauista). Combine the colorful cast of characters with the brilliant direction and co-writing of James Gunn and you get a sure-fire hit for the summer. It’s not often a comic book movie can appeal to a diverse audience in terms of age; but, this movie accomplishes just that. Amidst the relatively fresh Hollywood talent in the movie, you have some Hollywood royalty making bit appearances such as the brilliant performer and well-accomplished Glenn Close playing the mayor/governor of the empire of Xandar.

One of the best parts about the movie, isn’t even the visual parts that make up a work of cinema, in the true sense of the definition–the soundtrack. From the moment we see adult Starlord to the moment the audience (SITS THROUGH THE CREDITS) gets up to leave, there are pop songs from the 70s/80s that will nearly make you get up and dance while the all-too-familiar and nostalgic lyrics and notes make love to your ears. Although I am someone who prefers an original soundtrack (with popular or poignant songs making appearances now and again), this soundtrack fits this movie perfectly. I cannot imagine this movie without the notable songs being played off an original Sony Walkman with cassette tape.

So, if you want an exciting movie that will also bring laughter and tears to your face, check out Guardians of the Galaxy. Gather your friends together and make an evening out of it. This is definitely the type of movie that is best enjoyed with friends who will laugh along with you and enjoy the vast array of characters and well-executed dialog as the summer, for many, comes to a close soon.