Gardens of the Galaxy(Spoiler free)
You know a few days ago I was talking to someone about the fact that one of the things I miss about films from the 30s and 40s was that they wouldn't waste time. I liked how films like Stagecoach would just drop you into the world of the movie and trust you to figure out what was going on,they would set up characters and situations with a little as one line of dialog or a look and go from there and yet it would set up so well you would follow every bit and still care about the character. I miss that style of film making because you could get a lot more story told in a lot shorter of a time. Of course for that to work the film goer has to keep their attention fixed on the screen the whole time so in this age of cellphones and stuff it's no wonder that style of film making is dead,still I miss it. Well This movie is a return to that style. To be clear this is the first film in the MCU were I know nothing about the characters or the comic it is based on and yet I never once felt lost. This movie is the best paced film I have seen in years and it doesn't come at the expense of the characters and every scene feels like it serves a purpose in telling a story. It's the first film I have seen in a long time where I felt every second of screen time was needed. As I said it reminds me of Stagecoach one of the best paced movies of all time. Also like the work of John Ford it takes time from it's well paced story to have a sense of wonder about it's setting and let you soak in just how aw inspiring it is.
It is also the first movie of the MCU that I would recommend to people who are sick of comic book movies because it is not a superhero movie in any way. It's a fast paced,fun,bright Sci-Fi adventure. It has a sense of pure fun and excitement that was missing in the latest entries in both the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises. In fact it does a better job taking it's hero from being s selfish jerk who only cares about number one to being a hero who i believe can inspire people then either of the last two Star Trek movies. You know if WB were still going to make a Mass Effect movie I would want the writer/director of this film behind it because I think he could do something with the concept and it wouldn't feel like it drags. This film brings a rag tag team together quickly and gives all of the characters a moment so that towards the end I had a tear in my eye,and it does it in two hours. The action scenes are fun and creative and flow naturally from one to another and are there to help tell the story and don't feel like they hang around too long. The movie is expertly crafted from start to finish and if you like Sci-Fi or Star Wars then I can't think of a reason you wouldn't enjoy this film. It's the only film in the MCU that I would recommend to people who don't like superhero movies. Marvel took a big gamble with this film and it paid off big time,this is the best film in the MCU if you ask me.
10/10