Ah,so I've finally seen this film tonight and it.....wasn't quite what I was expecting-or was it?
Now I'll start by saying I knew literally nothing about the characters before seeing the film.I chose not to read much about the production or any of the comics as to have a pretty fresh slate to go by.
In short,I was kinda hoping to be blown away,given the rampant rave reviews and huge box office,but I what I got was more in the line of Pleasant Satisfaction.
I enjoyed the characters very much.All the actors did great.I have no complaints with any of them.I don't think any of the main characters got short shrift.I thought The Collector would have a bigger part.
The movie started out pretty somber with the death of StarLord's mom,and that kinda threw me.'I thought this was supposed to be funny.Y'know,talking raccoon and all.' I found the way StarLord connected with his mom after she passed through her favorite music quite touching.It probably hit me more,since I'm presumably StarLord's age,and my Mum has much the same playlist ("I'm not in Love" by 10cc,Ain't no mountain high enough",etc.)
Most of the comedy worked.I liked the gag with the prosthetic leg and the Footloose reference the most.I also liked StarLord's dance moves in front of Ronan.

t:
As for the villains,I can kinda understand some of the complaints with the sort of sketchy motivation of Ronan the Accuser,but personally I loved every second he was in.He looked like Zartan from G.I Joe to me.

t: Too bad they killed him off.Nebula was the one that struck me as not being totally fleshed out,but she looked to be blatantly left on the table for a sequel.
Thanos......not really feeling the presence (maybe it's Brolin's voice?) he should be exhibiting.And quite frankly,what the deuce is up with them Infinity Stones?We've been introduced to 3 already,and Thanos doesn't seem at all close to owning one.
I thought the ship battle with them becoming a "net" was very creative and original.The visuals all looked great.
So,all in all,I had a fun time,which is all I ask,really.But I didn't really consider it among the all time best CBMs.Perhaps the fact that I didn't have a previous interest in the characters like I did with Cap,Stark & Hulk worked against me in this instance.I didn't find myself giddy with the prospect of a sequel.I'll probably see it again in theaters,and I'm guessing this is the kinda movie that really needs repeated viewing for the most impact.But,I kinda have to wonder if the film didn't have "Marvel" plastered over the title and I just caught the film at midnight on a cable channel,would I just consider it nothing more than"an amusing romp"?Honestly speaking?Probably.