Before the Marvel Studios credit even shows, Guardians of the Galaxy showcases one of the most heart-wrenching scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, paired with one of its most incredible images. From then forward, we are thrust into the trustworthy hands of director James Gunn (Super), who over the course of the next 122 minutes throws us into a film mashed up of the greatest parts of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Blade Runner, Star Wars, 1980’s culture, superhero films….and it’s all matched with an absolutely incredible soundtrack full of some of the greatest songs of the 1970’s.

Gunn has assembled a ridiculous pastiche of pop culture touchstones and time-tested genre filmmaking, while creating something truly unique and original. An absolute late-Summer delight, I cannot recall the last time I’ve been so happy walking out of a movie theater.

The story of Star-Lord, a.k.a. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) - a character who, don’t worry if you’ve never heard of him, even the other characters of this film haven’t - Guardians of the Galaxy is a DEEP cut in the Marvel Universe. While the concept of the team originally appeared in the late 1960’s, the film is based off of a newer version of the team who only came about in 2008 - making them some of the newest kids on the Marvel block. Even the most well-versed fans would be hard pressed to tell you who they are - they’ve never been best sellers, they’ve never been idols to millions. And it’s this almost underdog nature which personifies the film.

Quill is an absolute screw-up - an Earthling who was brought into space as a young child, after the death of his mother from cancer - he makes ends meet stealing things around the universe and selling them to the highest bidder. After an attempted heist of a particularly fancy orb goes awry, he finds himself in jail - and quickly fast friends with a gaggle of misfits, including the deadly assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the equally as deadly Drax the Destroyer (WWE’s Dave Bautista), and the just as deadly walking-talking raccoon and walking-talking tree duo of Rocket and Groot (the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, respectively).  Of course, that orb has something very important in it (something longtime Marvel fans would be very excited to see), and this leads to this new group crossing path with a group of baddies (including Amistad’s Djimon Hounsou and Doctor Who’s Karen Gillan) lead by Kree alien Ronan the Accuser (a nearly unrecognizable Lee Pace).

You can figure out the beats and paces from here, I’m sure, but what makes the movie so remarkable is the film’s incredible heart. Every moment is full of incredible pep and energy, sometimes moving left when you expect it to move right, touched off with great humor and wonderful music selections. Gunn (who wrote and directed the film) is clearly having fun here. From his Troma roots to his wonderful independent films, you can tell he’s longed to make a movie like this - of a surreal, galaxy traveling family coming together to bring about mirth, mayhem, destruction and laughter - and Guardians of the Galaxy delivers non-stop.

Acting wise, this movie is Chris Pratt’s coming out party. Having made many including myself bowl over in laughter with his performance as Andy on Parks and Recreation, Guardians allows Pratt to take center stage as a lead hero, and holy hell is he ever ready for it. This is Bruce Willis in Die Hard level surprise. Saldana and Bautista do solid work as Gamora and Drax, with Bautista as the bigger surprise, but the real joy (besides Pratt) is in Rocket and Groot. A masterful mix of beautiful computer generated imagery and wonderful voice work (even if one guy only has to say three words…repeatedly), they truly stuck the landing here. You will fall in love with a tree and raccoon, and believe them to be as real as anything else on screen. It’s beautiful work that, if it doesn’t win a Special Effects Oscar, someone has lost their mind at the Academy. In 12 years we’ve gone from Gollum in The Two Towers to this, and virtual actors have never seemed so great as they do here.

With Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel finds themselves at the beginning of a new franchise (the movie thankfully indicates that they WILL return) - but just as well, finds themselves at the TENTH film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Few studios have had the track record that Marvel Studios has had (Pixar and Studio Ghibli may be the only two closest, I believe) - and while some bumpy roads may lie ahead, including the most anticipated sequel of all time - Marvel Studios is at the top of their game.

The risk paid off. A thief, two thugs, an assassin, and a maniac have been made icons in same molds of a scientist, a icon and a thunder god. Guardians of the Galaxy is pure genre joy. Highest possible recommendation - see it this weekend. Then listen to the soundtrack on Spotify. You’re going to want to again and again.

Post-credit notes: There is both a wonderful mid-credits gag, and a very funny post-credits tag (which might be the most ballsy thing Marvel Studios has done yet). Stick around through them.