Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Lamplight Review
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV Reviews
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • About Us
    • Live Music
    The Lamplight Review
    You are at:Home»TV Reviews»TV Review: ‘Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy’
    TV Reviews

    TV Review: ‘Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy’

    By Kyle WilsonSeptember 25, 2015Updated:September 28, 2015No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Email

    Marvel doesn’t have the best track record with their animated projects – which has widely been regarded as the only area of media where Marvel isn’t on top. The Disney-owned juggernaut looks to right that ship with the debut of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy on Disney XD, based on the smash hit MCU film (and not so much the comic books).

    Let me just lay your fears to rest now, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is an absolute blast and probably the best thing Marvel Animation has done in a long while. The series kicks off with the first episode Road to Knowhere, which fans will recognize is a song title pun referencing the galactic hub, Knowhere, as seen in the film. When the Guardians come into possession of a new artifact that Thanos wants badly, the Mad Titan sends his new lieutenant Korath to track down the item at any cost.

    PETER QUILL

    Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy debuts with a one-hour premiere (the show will normally be 30 minutes) that could easily serve as a direct, faithful sequel to the film. The characters are obviously patterned off the live-action versions and maintain all the same personality traits that were present in the film. Even the supporting cast are all characters that were introduced in the film including: Yondu, The Broker, Korath and even Cosmo – but more on that later.

    Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy perfectly captures the spirit of the film, from the Awesome Mix, Volume 1 classic rock soundtrack (actual licensed songs!) to the trademark character-based humor, and fans are going to fall in love with this series. One of the elements that really helps the show excel is the quality of the storytelling. If Road to Knowhere and Knowhere to Run were the actual script to the upcoming Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, I would be completely satisfied.

    While not MCU canon, the show expertly takes ideas presented in the film and runs with them – including the celestial head turned cosmic commerce center, Knowhere. I loved the idea of Knowhere and have found myself drawn to the concept ever since the film. This series goes back to the location/being and makes it a center point of the premiere.

    KNOWHERE

    So many other threads that seemed interesting to explore get picked up by the series, creating an extremely satisfying experience for those craving more of the Guardians universe. One of those threads that has a strong presence in Road to Knowhere and Knowhere to Run is Cosmo, the Marvel comics cosmonaut dog, that briefly cameoed in the film. My inner geek was thrilled to see him team up with the Guardians and get a few great one-liners in during the adventure. Cosmo probably won’t be a series regular, but I can’t wait to see him come back at some point.

    Another very impressive element of the series is the jaw-dropping animation and landscape art used to create the cosmic world. It’s easily the best Marvel has done and must be watched in HD to appreciate just how gorgeous the show turned out.

    THE MILANO

    Will Friedle (Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond) takes on the Chris Pratt role of Star Lord, aka Peter Quill, with his veteran voice acting skills as a smart aleck, rogue with a heart of gold. Friedle thankfully doesn’t try to do a Pratt impression and instead just puts his own spin on Quill. Trevor Devall has a similar take on Rocket Raccoon, but he hits a little closer to Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of the ragged, trigger-happy raccoon.

    James Arnold Taylor (Obi-wan on Star Wars: The Clone Wars), one of my favorite voice actors, pulls double duty as both Yondu and the aforementioned Cosmo. There are traces of Michael Rooker’s portrayal of Yondu in Taylor’s performance, but it’s by no means a caricature and Taylor brings an interesting, effeminate air to Yondu. Cosmo sounds exactly like what you would think he sounds like: Russian, funny, and intelligent – and that’s the best compliment you can give the performance.

    ROCKET RACCOON

    David Sobolov (Grodd on The Flash) does a sometimes spot-on Dave Batista interpretation as Drax, when delivering a couple of really great jokes, and they have fun with the character’s quirks. Beloved veteran voice actor Kevin Michael Richardson is the fan favorite Groot, bringing the right amount of charm to those three iconic words. Lastly, Vanessa Marshall (Hera on Star Wars Rebels) brings the pain (and her usually likability) as Gamora, the now noble ex-disciple of Thanos.

    When the last scene of Knowhere to Run plays out, not only is the series expertly bridged to the film, but Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is perfectly set up as an ongoing animated series. If Marvel and Disney XD continue the quality that is present in this premiere, fans will have something quite special on their hands.

    80%
    80%
    HOOKED ON <BR> THIS SERIES

    From the classic rock soundtrack to the character oriented humor and heart, this animated series debut is a tremendous extension of the smash hit MCU film and easily some of the best work to date from Marvel Animation.

    • SCORE
      8
    • User Ratings (17 Votes)
      8.3
    disney xd guardians of the galaxy james arnold taylor kevin michael richardson marvel marvel's guardians of the galaxy will friedle
    Share. Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMovie Review: ‘The Intern’
    Next Article Movie Review: ‘The Martian’

    Related Posts

    Second Opinion: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

    February 13, 2025

    Movie Review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’

    June 1, 2023

    Second Opinion: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    May 3, 2023
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Follow Us
    • Facebook 2.2K
    • Twitter 1.2K
    • Instagram 139
    • YouTube
    Sponsors
    Latest Posts

    Movie Review: ‘Fountain of Youth’

    May 23, 2025

    Movie Review: ‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’

    May 23, 2025

    Movie Review: ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

    May 20, 2025

    Movie Review: ‘Thunderbolts*’

    May 2, 2025

    Movie Review: ‘Yadang: The Snitch’

    May 1, 2025
    Sponsors
    Copyright © 2025 The Lamplight Review.
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.