tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541500.post5916362021649360226..comments2024-03-29T11:29:58.276+09:00Comments on BigHominid's Hairy Chasms: "Guardians of the Galaxy": reviewKevin Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541500.post-49192890486040510512014-08-03T17:12:37.924+09:002014-08-03T17:12:37.924+09:00John,
A fuller response to your "predated&qu...John,<br /><br />A fuller response to your "predated" remark:<br /><br />I agree: the influences and the comic stories predate "Star Wars" and "The Matrix." According to Wikipedia, the early "Guardians" team showed up in 1969, the year I was born. The new team was formed in 2008.<br /><br />But that's not what I was talking about in my review. I was talking about the movies' <i>cinematic</i> influence on pop consciousness. By that standard, "Star Wars" was first, and it showed audiences that movies could be fun again, since that was George Lucas's avowed aim—to bring back the feeling of those old Saturday matinees. In 1999, for me at least, "The Matrix" was a welcome return to that sort of fun with its wild SF premise, its mixed bag of theological and philosophical tropes, and its over-the-top action that, however cartoonish, made dramatic sense in the context of the story. These movies were fun, and "Star Wars" came first of the three I mentioned (SW, "Matrix," GOTG).<br /><br />So I don't disagree with you re: who influenced whom. You're completely right as far as artistic/creative influences go. But the movies came out when they came out, and they influenced audiences—quite apart from the comics—in their respective decades. Many current critics are making "Star Wars" references, too, when they write about "Galaxy." Which only makes sense: the new movie <i>reminds</i> them of an older movie. Simple as that.Kevin Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541500.post-54499839481654945812014-08-03T13:22:28.368+09:002014-08-03T13:22:28.368+09:00"As a big fan of the comic series over the ye...<b>"As a big fan of the comic series over the years, 'Guardians' predates all of your film references..."</b><br /><br />Spot the grammar error!<br /><br /><b>"Also, the mysticism was there in small quantities."</b><br /><br />Maybe in the comics, but not in the <i>film,</i> which is my only point of reference... unless the mysticism of "Guardians" revolves, Harry Potter-style, around the power of love and friendship.<br /><br /><b>"You were very right about Michael Rooker in this film."</b><br /><br />Glad we agree on something. Your relentless contrarianism in my comment threads can be tiring.<br /><br /><b>"The most surprising thing about the film to me was the acting job done by Chris Pratt."</b><br /><br />Two agreements in a row! Will wonders never cease? Yeah, I thought Pratt handled the role nicely.<br /><br /><b>"Now, if I could only not have seen the last 20 minutes of Luc Besson's 'Lucy.' "</b><br /><br />Haven't seen it yet, but I'd read several reviews expressing everything from amusement to disappointment at how the third reel goes off the rails.Kevin Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541500.post-73819690178433578552014-08-03T13:09:52.968+09:002014-08-03T13:09:52.968+09:00As a big fan of the comic series over the years, &...As a big fan of the comic series over the years, "Guardians" predates all of your film references except for maybe to part of the "Star Trek" episode, "The Tholian Web," that this film seemed to borrow one hell of a visual from. It is most definitely an amalgamation of all the "Guardians of the Galaxy" comics since 1969 with what looks like a good dose of Joss Whedon's "Firefly/Serenity" thrown into the mix for good measure, but I'd have to argue hard that Joss Whedon borrowed heavily from the "Guardian" comics mythos and atmosphere back when he was creating his superb "Firefly" television series.<br /><br />Also, the mysticism was there in small quantities. More information regarding Star-Lord's alien father, his unique suit's background, and that of the psychic link that he shares with his ship should all be forthcoming in future film prequels/sequels which also includes a team-up in a future "Avengers" film.<br /><br />You were very right about Michael Rooker in this film. I still lament his passing on "The Walking Dead" as he brought much humor, along with some insane violence, to that role.<br /><br />The most surprising thing about the film to me was the acting job done by Chris Pratt. He's come a long way since "Everwood," but the most amazing thing he's done in my book has been to marry the extremely multi-talented Anna Faris.<br /><br />Now, if I could only not have seen the last 20 minutes of Luc Besson's "Lucy." The far-fetched last few minutes of the on-going South Korean connection deep in French Territory really ruined the entire movie for me. Hell, even the uber-violent South Korean criminal connection in Taiwan was hard to believe, but that's today's film marketing for you. John from Daejeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08431973044799010218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541500.post-47409928161856096432014-07-31T23:40:19.939+09:002014-07-31T23:40:19.939+09:00I watched the brief, 12-episode run of "24: L...I watched the brief, 12-episode run of "24: Live Another Day." That wasn't bad, but it also wasn't enough to satisfy my "24" jones.<br /><br />I'm sorry, but <i>which</i> Scott is this, again? I know several. I really should keep better track.Kevin Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541500.post-72740448766085737082014-07-31T21:47:23.765+09:002014-07-31T21:47:23.765+09:00Kevin,
Off topic, just shooting the breeze. Have ...Kevin,<br /><br />Off topic, just shooting the breeze. Have you seen any good TV series lately? I hear Fargo's pretty good.<br /><br />Hope all's well.<br /><br />Scottttufacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647253239719578445noreply@blogger.com