How can a 2-minute trailer for a movie about some unknown
characters set in a different part of the galaxy inspire excitement and
anticipation when I should know better than to trust a trailer? Trailers can be
misleading even when they are for movies whose characters are familiar. Just
look at the trailers for ‘Green Lantern’, ’The Last Airbender’,’Indiana Jones 4’,
‘The Phantom Menace’ etc.
But something is so right about this trailer.
Has the success of all the previous movies in the MCU got to
Marvel’s head and they are now overconfident that whatever movie they make will
be loved by fans? Or is it something in the trailer itself that makes it stand
out?
Not taking itself too seriously
The most striking feature of the trailer for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is how
it does not take itself seriously. The trailer drops the heavy tone that it
begins with in a matter of few seconds to make way for a joke that puts a smile
on your face and introduces the main character. Marvel as always is trying to
have fun with what they do and they realize humor is an important aspect of
superhero movies. DC, on the other hand, mostly goes the serious way with their
main character tackling lofty ideas and is mostly brooding. It worked in the ‘The
Dark Knight’ Trilogy but the lack of humor in ‘Man of Steel’ really stood out.
Most likely, the serious tone would be present in the sequel to ‘Man of Steel’
as well.
Unlikely team
The main characters are not heroes (at least they are not portrayed that way). You
have the main lead who gives off a strong Han Solo/Malcolm Reynolds vibe, a green
skinned female assassin, a WWE wrestler with some anger management issues, a raccoon
with an attitude and a walking tree. Yeah, not your average run-of-the-mill
team up.
Old School is always cool
Old School is always cool
You have a pop song from the 70’s playing throughout the trailer and obscene
jokes that are anachronistic by today’s standards. Also, you have characters
facing-off over a Walkman. I believe that there is always a yearning in all of
us to return to an older and simpler time. This trailer really brings that out
to its advantage in making itself likeable.
Tie-ins to MCU
We live in the age of superheroes (cinema-wise) with almost every major studio releasing
at least one superhero movie every year. I firmly believe that we are part of a
great time in cinematic history and many years down the line people would look
back at this time with fondness. Unarguably, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has
done everything right up to this point and has whetted the appetite of
audiences everywhere for more. So, any movie that is part of that universe is
sure to be highly awaited.
Rocket and Groot
Two CGI characters as part of main cast of characters. One of them is a raccoon
who looks like he could kick some serious ass and the other one a giant tree
with kindly eyes. What are they doing on this team? I have been more than
intrigued by this tree character. I can relate a little bit to the other
characters. I could be wrong but Star-Lord would most likely be a reckless leader
who thinks highly of himself. Gamora and Drax would come off as dangerous
people but would ultimately have hearts of gold. But this tree…it/he is so
different…what is its/his backstory? What is it/he doing on this team? What kind
of friendship it/he has with Rocket?
I want to know !
All these aspects make it a
great trailer and suddenly this movie has become my most anticipated movie of
2014.
“Ooga! Ooga! Ooga Chaka! … Ooga! Ooga! Ooga Chaka! … Hooked on a
Feeling…”
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