1) It’s Not A Superhero Movie
Tying everything together with praise from all angles, this is something I’ve slightly commented on in previous pages. Guardians of the Galaxy is not a superhero film, it’s not trying to be a superhero film, and it never was a superhero film. It’s still a mainstream blockbuster, but more in the vein of your classic space opera – see The Fifth Element and Star Trek. So not only is this film a new series, it’s a brand new genre for the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is partially the reason why it’s garnering so much attention and being lauded as one of the better Marvel films.
As I said earlier, none of the Guardians have an inherent will to save or to be heroic. They’re all actually pretty evil inside. Sure, Star-Lord “finds some heroism” in himself, but that’s quickly dissolved by his awareness of how ridiculous it sounds from an egotistical rogue. The only reason they go on their mission to guard the galaxy is because they want to live, just like all of us. Guardians of the Galaxy thrives on riding the trend of what’s current and by showing us just how fantastical our normal lives can be.