The MCU has become such a powerful force in popular culture, establishing itself as one of the biggest and most successful franchises in entertainment. Over the past 15 years, audiences have experienced tremendous growth from one movie to 4 completed phases, over 30 movies, and even campus at Disney’s California Adventure. With such an extensive filmography, the Best Marvel Movie debate is filled with popular contenders and phenomenal nominees. You have to give credit iron Man to run the universe, but you also have to recognize Infinity War And The final for cinematic spectacles and historical phenomena around them. Movie fans love the direction that Russo brothers picked up with Steve Rogers in Captain America: The Winter Soldierwhile others love the John Hughes-inspired frivolity Spiderman trilogy.

The competition is fierce, but of all the countless great films in the universe, it should be given due consideration guardians of the galaxy as the best Marvel movie. The humorous walk through outer space gets a lot of praise for pure enjoyment, but doesn’t always get as much attention on Why a group of misfits and their misadventures are so damn cute. However, on second examination GotG is exceptional in its embodiment of the original MCU ethos, taking a daring risk to create a fun and hilarious movie-watching experience that exemplifies everything that made the cinematic galaxy so beloved in the first place.

What is the essence of the MCU?

The Guardians walk down the hallway in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

“There was an idea…” These words of Nick Fury not only introduced the world to the Avengers, but also reflected the original essence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the beginning, the MCU has been distinguished from other comic book film franchises by its adventurous and unfortunate personality in its earliest releases. Instead of focusing on fan-favorite characters, the first phase featured less popular characters such as Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. Admittedly, these characters were put in the spotlight out of necessity, depending on what rights the studio had. However, in the end, these characters are laying the groundwork for something much bigger than their origins. It was these films that made these characters household names, and not vice versa. The early MCU was a place where characters and actors failed, and that’s exactly what GotG presented.

The Guardians of the Galaxy were a C-list superhero team at Marvel Comics (if we’re being generous). If you weren’t a die-hard comic book fan, then the names Star-Lord, Drax, and Rocket Raccoon would read more like Dungeons and Dragons characters than actual comic book characters. But, nevertheless, the studio took a risk and drew attention to these characters, who were completely dominated by their charisma and charm.

Guardians are cute losers

guardians of the galaxy
Image via Marvel

Everyone loves a group of misfits, and the Guardians were the most inept and attractive of them all. Star Lord (Chris Pratt) was a combination of Tony Stark’s brashness and wit with his own farce. Gamora (Zoe Saldanha) was alarmingly competent, displaying martial prowess and the deterrence factor on which the group depended. Drax (Dave Batista) and his deadpan humor created incredibly funny moments throughout the film, and it was Bautista’s statement that proved he was a truly talented actor. And here is the RocketBradley Cooper) that brought an unexpected amount of heart in a small, fluffy and deadly package. Of course, it would be remiss to mention the Ensemble Breakout Star in Groot (VIN diesel), whose sacrifice in this movie is considered one of the most memorable and impressive scenes in any MCU movie. If sacrificing himself to save the planet wasn’t enough to endear you to this tree, then the legacy he left behind with Baby Groot should be enough to warm even the most grouchy heart. Seeing these characters come together to form a strong bond, despite how different they all are, is one of the best narrative arcs in any MCU movie.

To top it all off, this group of troublemakers could be easily imagined and integrated with each other in the same movie, making the experience more accessible than other team games. All of these characters were underdogs for one reason or another, and the way the film emphasized that made them even more interesting underdog stories. These characters were nothing, they faced insurmountable obstacles, but they embodied the spirit of the MCU, reaching stellar heights regardless of their origin and status.

Guardians showed how big the galaxy is

A snapshot of the Guardians of the Galaxy at the Kyln Prison
Image via Disney

What sets this found family apart from other groups in the MCU is what their arrival meant to the scope and size of the franchise. At this point in the second phase, the Avengers were the only other group of heroes, but their adventures were mostly limited to Earth. Although they fought off an alien invasion, it was an invasion Earth and the conflict mostly took place in this atmosphere. Although Thor was from another world and traveled to other worlds, his history was always inextricably linked to Earth/Midgard, and the other worlds remained clearly separated. However, in GotGviewers saw the vast scale of the universe and other forces that inhabit it.

Thanos has already been introduced in a post-credits scene, but the true extent of his influence has not been fully demonstrated. Ronan the AccuserLee Pace) was a formidable villain who could lay siege to entire planets in search of the Infinity Stone. His attack on Xandar was even bigger than the attack on Manhattan, and he was basically just Thanos’ lackey. This phase of the MCU has mostly focused on continuing the stories of previously introduced characters, but GotG brought new faces and expanded the universe to a scale far greater than anyone was originally ready. Now it’s not worth thinking about how the Avengers saved the entire universe, but up to this point the scale of the conflict was much smaller, until the Guardians showed how much larger the galaxy is.

Perhaps the most characteristic feature GotG, and one of the most important reasons why it should be considered the best movie in the MCU is its masterful use of comedy. WITH James Gunn at the helm of this film, good times and good jokes were practically guaranteed. The MCU is getting a lot of criticism these days for its use of humor. Tension-relieving jokes have become almost synonymous with the franchise, cited as one of the most common criticisms of recent projects. But in 2014, that kind of humor was still being used with due care to give the MCU a distinct personality that was fully manifested in GotG. There was a lightness to the film and the MCU at the time. He never takes himself too seriously, never sacrifices fun for extra drama. But in the same way, it does not detract from sincerity and humor.

The comedy in the film is intertwined with the overall atmosphere of the film; it’s not just inserted into the dialogue as one-shot jokes. For most films, when the protagonist challenges the villain to a dance during the climax, it looks like a sad joke. But when you create a character connection with Dirty Dancing and install his use of humor as a distraction, then you’ve got one of the most iconic and timely jokes the MCU has ever offered. Dave Batista’s portrayal of Drax was an outstanding performance for its impeccable timing and deadpan sensibility. And that’s not even to mention all the visual comedy that Groot is a constant part of. In the end, GotG knew when and how to use his humor better than any other Marvel movie. Groot’s sacrifice was treated with respect and grimness due to its gravity. Other moments, however, properly dissipate tension because the MCU has always been so much fun. guardians of the galaxy hits the sweet spot for many of the MCU’s best features. It took the franchise to new heights, embodying the misfits and comedians that set these Marvel heroes apart from other traditional characters.