GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Better Not SUCK!

POSITIVITY at the beginning!

I’m proud that we live in a time where a rather obscure property like Guardians of the Galaxy could be considered blockbuster material. In less than two short months audiences around the world are going to do something plenty of comic fans have avoided for many years: give this motley crew a chance to shine.

So, Marvel, it better NOT SUCK!

JAMES GUNN

I’m going to be a hundred percent honest, when the guy who directed Super got the nod to helm GOTG I had no idea what to think. Personally his flick staring Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page had personality, carried some laughs but ultimately felt lacking. Now I get that for this project they needed someone who was willing to take a departure from the norm and embrace a relatively unexplored corner of this cinematic universe. This is after all a movie where we have a talking tree, wise-ass raccoon and, god willing, a Russian dog named Cosmo. But I’m still wary on the choice, even though both trailers tickled my fancy.

So please, DON’T SUCK!

CHRIS PRATT

Beyond the initial announcement and concept art this has got to be the single best thing in relation to this big-screen debut. From Parks and Recreation to Zero Dark Thirty they’ve picked an actor with leading man potential and stellar comedic timing. Granted the Star-Lord I knew best was more battle-hardened due to Annihilation and all the other terrible things that Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning threw his way. If you’re a fan of his than you know he’s got range, and if not don’t worry because he’ll nail it and prove me right.

So please, DON’T SUCK!

THE REST OF THE CREW

From Zoe Saldana (Gamora) to Vin Diesel (Groot) we have a complex crew that, if done right, should turn quite a few heads come August. The movie trailer gives them a basic role call: assassin, thief, two thugs (Rocket Raccoon and Groot) and a maniac (Dave Bautista aka Drax the Destroyer) which pretty much fits who we’re dealing with. It’s not you a-typical superhero team and that’s what makes them compelling and fun to read. Just think about it, these criminals and losers are the last hope for a messed up Galaxy that’s always slipping into war, what’s not to love about that? Though I’ll be honest when they cast Bradley Cooper I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the Hangover star but it turns out his voice coming from a fury badass sells itself.

So please, DON’T SUCK!

THANOS

He’s been teased but now we know that the big bad will play a role in this film. Heck you have the following main characters: his adopted daughter and a man who swore vengeance against him! I’ll admit it’s hard for me to be excited for Age of Ultron when I know it’s building toward an Infinity Gauntlet type finale with this terror! I’m downright giddy just thinking about it, so please, powers that be, don’t turn the one who courts death into a lackluster villain. With Taneleer Tivan aka The Collector (Benicio Del Toro) gathering up the Infinity Gems for this Warlord, Josh Brolin better find the right tone and voice in order to deliver the fury of a creature that should only be described as an Avengers level threat! We all need his presence to feel terrifying as he continue to build a Darth Sidious circa The Empire Strikes Back kind of vibe!

So please, DON’T SUCK!

NOVA

The reason why this needs to NOT SUCK is because I want the Human Rocket to get his own movie, or at the very least be a prominent player in GOTG 2: Smokin’ Thanos. Fake names and assumed sequels aside I don’t care if we see Richard Rider or Sam Alexander under the helmet but I want an Earth representative in the Nova Corps. It’s true we have the storied organization in this one but we need our Marvel equivalent to Green Lantern. There needs to be a human representative.

Come on House of Ideas don’t play with my emotions, Rhomann Dey (John C. Reilly) is front and center in the teaser! We all know what happens to him!!

SIDE NOTE: If you don’t, which I’m betting is a lot of you , he’s the Nova that gets mortally wounded and passes his powers to teenage Rich Rider.

So please, DON’T SUCK!

THE GALAXY

Not only are we getting something that goes beyond our borders but it happens to be an entry that’s employing various alien races. From the imposing Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) to Nebula of Luphom (Karen Gillan), Korath the Pursuer (Djimon Hounsou) and Yondu (Michael Rooker) we’ve got some impressive additions for your toy collection.

So please, DON’T SUCK!

I’ve been enamored with the outer reaches of this comic niche since the thundering blows of Annihilation. So, if you can’t tell, I’m nervous about this one. It’s like the day your kid goes to school for the first time. You’re worried if he or she’s going to get teased a lot while remaining wishful that they’ll be accepted for who they are.

Beyond that, and I may be alone here, but Phase 2 has been downright lackluster for me. Iron Man 3 got the laughs but like a solid dessert in a three course meal it was full of deliciousness but left many unfulfilled. Thor: The Dark World and it’s planet hopping shenanigans were passable, and Agents of S.H.I.E.LD. reeked of mediocrity. Granted Captain America: The Winter Soldier rocked but still I need some more if Avengers: Age of Ultron is going to matter to me beyond simple name recognition and brand loyalty.

Let’s be honest if this fails it won’t be the end, but it might make say DC Comics a bit skittish about adapting some of their more odd properties for example Lobo or anyone that’s not Batman or Superman.

So please Marvel / Disney:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Better Not SUCK!