Guardians of the Galaxy

Even as the cinematic landscape becomes oversaturated with superhero franchises and other fanboy extravaganzas, Guardians of the Galaxy presents a unique box-office test.

It’s an adaptation of a more obscure title from the Marvel Comics catalogue, with characters who aren’t pop-culture staples and whose heroics are based in space rather than on Earth.

That shouldn’t impact short-term financial prospects, of course, although the big-screen debut of this underdog crew of ragtag Avengers tries a little too hard to fit in with its competition, rather than stand out.

Appropriately, the story tracks the origins of its title characters, led by Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who was abducted from Earth as a child and grew up as a vigilante in another galaxy. That’s where he finds an orb with mysterious powers, for which he later learns the value to several sinister forces, including Ronan (Lee Pace), the intimidating leader of the Kree people.

Realizing he needs help protecting the object, he enlists a mismatched collection of prisoners, including brash raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), his tree-like sidekick Groot (Vin Diesel), dim-witted strongman Drax (Dave Bautista) and the alluring green-skinned Gamora (Zoe Saldana).

Despite their differing motives, they reluctantly team up in an effort to preserve peace in their galaxy, even if it means risking their lives to do it.

The screenplay by director James Gunn (Super) and newcomer Nicole Perlman manages some amusing sight gags and one-liners but seems more calculated than clever in its structure. Even the anachronistic 1970s pop songs on Quill’s ubiquitous cassette mixtape feel forced at times, yet at least it’s something different.

Ditto for the antihero protagonists, whose lively banter frequently provides a highlight, much more than the compilation of big-budget action sequences with non-descript villains built more on spectacle than substance. And yes, there is an obligatory romantic subplot and a handful of big-name cameos.

Guardians of the Galaxy features an abundance of visual flair, with Gunn employing plenty of 3D effects and imaginative mix of computer-generated creatures. Yet so much of that effort seems wasted on a story in which the conflict resembles that of the average Star Trek episode.

The result feels like financially driven, mainstream pandering for a film that doesn’t fit the standard superhero mold into which it tries to squeeze.

Rated PG-13, 122 minutes.