What Gives?

It was only a matter of time before Lois Lowry's literary masterpiece was given its due on the big screen. I may not have the time (and I definitely don't have the money) to see every movie that comes out, but I had to go see this movie, if for no other reason than that the book is phenomenal. 


But even before I could go see the movie, I was hearing all kinds of reviews.  Critics have swarmed the movie in a veritable Zerg Rush (Google it), eager to rip apart the seemingly defenseless film. 

Critics can smell fear!  

Not all the water in the well was bitter, so to speak.  A lot of people had good things to say about The Giver.  But I believe in forming my own opinions, and so I began my own Giver experience. 

Before I get into my thoughts on the movie, I should probably give you a summary of the plot.  Just in case you didn't read the book. 

 

A Not-So-Quick Overview

The stage is set in the futuristic utopia known as the Community, where Jonas (played by Brenton Thwaites) and his friends live without pain, without fear, and without conflict.  All of that changes when Jonas is selected as the Community's Receiver.  All the collective wisdom and memories of the old world are to be shared with him by none other than the book's namesake, the Giver (that's Jeff Bridges, by the way).  But as Jonas learns of life before the Ruin, before the Community, he realizes that the people around him are, as the Giver eloquently puts it, "living a life of shadows."  In his attempts to understand his place in the Community and share his knowledge, he makes enemies of pretty much everybody, including the Chief Elder (Meryl Streep), his authoritarian not-mom (Katie Holmes), and all of his childhood friends.  Jonas is forced to make the same decision the Giver once had - conform or be exiled. 

Sound Familiar? 

What if I simplify it like this:

Good-looking teenager is victimized by a corrupt government and must fight the power!  Of course what good is any story without a love interest, there's definitely got to be one of those.  And how could I forget, there's the alpha-female that tries to bend the protagonist to her will in between officiating ceremonies and designating careers.  Can't forget those. 

Yeah, definitely familiar.  That's because many of these young adult themes have already had their time on the big screen.  The romantic post-apocalyptic adventure has already been done a number of times. 



Divergent did it...

 

Hunger Games did it better. 

Is it really The Giver's fault if The Hunger Games and Divergent stole its thunder?  Granted, Lowry's novel vastly precedes Collins' and Roth's dystopian rebellions.  But because of the success of these other movies, Philip Noyce's adaptation of The Giver leaves a lot of viewers underwhelmed and unsatisfied.  But even in the shadow of Katniss, The Giver gets a lot of things right, the most prominent being... 

The Colors

 Or rather, the lack of color.  The Giver begins with the utopian world (or dystopian, depending on how you look at it) in greyscale.  Citizens of the Community are required to take daily medications that leech color from their life.  And art.  And libido.  And any sense of individuality at all, whether from race or religion or whatever. 



Equilibrium, anybody?

As the Giver shares his knowledge with Jonas, the boy's eyes are opened to colors.  Noyce really hits the nail on the head with this one.  The audience gets to share in Jonas' enlightenment.  As his knowledge grows, more and more color seeps into the picture.  

What's even more impressive is what Noyce chooses to pigment.  The memories, of course, are in full color, and there's a lot of symbolic visuals in there (my favorite is the gorgeous ocean sunset).  As color bleeds back into the world, though, it appears in the perfect places, really driving the effect home and giving the movie a sense of depth.  Most notably, of course, is the apple.    

And all that it implies...

But really the biggest thing that The Giver's got going for it is...

The Cast

First and foremost is Jeff Bridges, who's list of hit characters goes on and on.  Kevin Flynn.  Rooster Cogburn.  Obadiah Stane.  And while Jonas may be the young hero, Bridges' Giver is definitely the star of the show. 

An old, wrinkled star...

Conflict moves at tectonic speeds in this movie.  And though the plot picks up speed as the films progresses, it's really Bridges' performance that saves (and steals) the show.  His role as the Giver is to pass on the memories of the free world, a world with diversity and war and love.  But he has to choose what he shares carefully.  Bridges perfectly encapsulates the wise mentor, bringing life to the Giver's tragic past and regrets.  His inner turmoil (which he also slowly shares with Jonas) is really what drives this movie. 

But, as good as Jeff Bridges is, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Meryl Streep, the lady of a thousand accents.  She's played in dozens of movies, ranging from the emotionally charged (Doubt) to the splendidly funny (Fantastic Mr. Fox), and I'll put it simply. 

Meryl Streep doesn't make crap.   Just ask Cam here. 

She's the actress Giver deserves.

Remember that domineering, head honcho lady I mentioned earlier?  Yeah, that's her.  The Chief Elder, as she's called in The Giver, is responsible for ruling the Community with her jaded views on humanity and her eyes in the sky.  She is cold, she is calculating, she is mistrustful.  Streep's acting is superb (per the norm), and her performance really fleshes out the Chief Elder's character and injects the movie with much-needed conflict. 

Neither Meryl Streep nor Jeff Bridges' talents are wasted on this movie. 

And finally, there's Brenton Thwaites, playing Jonas the Receiver. 
Brenton faces a role similar to Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy.  His performance is (obviously) crucial because he's the protagonist.  If his acting sucked, the whole movie would suck, regardless of Meryl Streep and the Dude.  This role is a giant step up from his pretty insignificant role in Maleficent.   


  No offense, your highness.  

Thankfully, Brenton doesn't disappoint.  His acting may not be on par with his veteran co-stars, but he holds his own throughout the movie.  And though the character of Jonas differs slightly from Lowry's original, Brenton's performance is in no way an insult to the text. 

Which brings up an interesting point.  A lot of viewers are concerned that Noyce's adaptation doesn't dig deep enough into the source material.  I myself watched this film with a specific question in mind...


Does the Movie Do the Book Justice?

In short: Yes.  And no. 

Let me explain!

The film is only an hour and a half, and it's a hefty feat to capture the scope and plot of a book in such a brief period of time.  That being said, movies are a whole nuther animal than novels.  The audio and visual dynamics of film can share with an audience in moments what would take an author pages to express.  I'm still at war with myself over this question, and I saw the movie weeks ago! 

While The Giver may have its shortcomings, it presents Lowry's text in a fresh new way.  Sure, Noyce made a few changes here and there, tweaked a few details, added a few more.  But his unique reprisal of this childhood classic embodies a lot of what the novel stands for.  It brings up many of the same questions and explores the same ideas, and though it doesn't treat the audience to the same depth of character and emotional power as the text, it puts in an excellent effort. 




And that's perfectly understandable. 

The movie, like the book, doesn't shy away from gritty topics such as death, fault, and individuality.  In reading the book, the audience knows (or at least suspects) a number of the Community's dark secrets.  Readers, taught by harsh experience and reality, are not as naïve as Jonas, and that is what creates the suspense and intrigue in the book.  However, that suspense is missing from the film, and its presence is painfully missed.  Again, the Giver's emotional turmoil can only stave off the narrative's need for conflict for so long. 

Me need conflict! 

Often times, when conflict does surface, characters suddenly aren't true to themselves (particularly Asher, who somehow gets away with lying when the Giver can't).  These clunky moments may not distract you from the movie, but they raise plot questions and critical afterthought. 



Like why couldn't those Eagles ferry people all over Middle Earth? 

One huge difference between the movie and the novel is (spoiler) the Release of young Rosemary.  In the book, it's a very touch and go topic, one that the Giver doesn't fully explain until nearing the end of the book.  The movie, however, alludes to this tragedy that happened years ago.  And it brings it up again...and again...and again.  Really strips the suspense from it.  In reality, its grand unveiling in the film is grossly underwhelming, particularly for those who've read the book and already know what the all the hullaballoo is about. 

Also, she's played by Taylor Swift. 

That wig isn't fooling anybody, Taylor.

These weaknesses notwithstanding, Philip Noyce has crafted a thought-provoking film that dips into the deep themes Lowry instilled in her novel.  This movie is an excellent example of visual storytelling, and brings the text to life in a whole new medium.

In the End

When I left the movies after seeing The Giver, it didn't feel like I'd wasted my money.  Lowry's cherished novel is well represented by Noyce's film, and while it may not be as shiny as The Hunger Games, it's in no way to be shrugged off as a mere Redboxer.  The movie is certainly worth watching, even if only from the comfort of your couch. 

You should check the book out, too! 

As for me, I give The Giver a solid 7 out of 10.  As far as how the movie compares to the book, you'll have to make your own decision!  And that's all I've got to say about that. 


Sam


P.S. This is just about the only trailer that doesn't give the whole movie away!

What did you think of The Giver?  Post your thoughts in the comments below! 

Did you like my review?  Say so below! 

Disagree with me?  Say so below! 

Any movie you want me to review?  Say so below!  

All images belong to their respected owners.  Google really failed me on this one.  There wasn't a Zerg Rush gif to be found.  Instead I had to settle for that (really awesome) Zerg pic by Aled Lewis.    GIFs courtesy of giphy.com.  The Giver is a novel by Lois Lowry that everybody should read.  The trailer can be found on The Weinstein Company's YouTube channel. 

12% of a Blog

Greetings, movie enthusiasts and internet junkies!  I can't imagine a better blockbuster to kick off my shiny new blog than the summer smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy!  Marvel's latest installment takes everything wonderful about The Avengers and deep fries it in awesome.  Seriously, The Avengers had better watch out, because Guardians is absolutely top notch. 

A Quick Overview

Peter Quill (aka Star Lord, aka Chris Pratt, aka Andy Dwyer) is a renegade bounty hunter with his sights set on a mysterious orb that's stowed away on a ruinous planet.  His sticky fingers get him in hot water with pretty much everybody in the galaxy, including Ronan (the blue bad guy), Thanos (the big bad guy), and Yondu (the other blue bad guy).  His survival depends on a shaky alliance with a ragtag band of misfits, and soon his survival is not the only one at stake.  The power of the orb drags them across the cosmos, with villains in tow, bringing hilarity and mayhem wherever they go. 


I'm sensing a little Indiana Jones here...

10 Reasons You Need to Watch This Movie

If the red MARVEL tag isn't enough to get your butt in a theatre, here's ten other reasons you should buy tickets immediately: 

1. The Track Record  

Look at all the other superhero movies Marvel has dished out.  (Now disregard Iron Man 2 and that meh Captain America movie.)  Those are some pretty freakin' awesome flicks!  Marvel has evolved into a cinematic juggernaut.  The Winter Soldier and Iron Man 3 more than make up for their weak sauce middle siblings.  Plus, need I mention The Avengers?  That movie is a perfect blend of seamless plot, superhero action, and brisk comedy.  And in the hearts of many fans, it just doesn't hold up to this summer's galactic installment.  Let me put it this way: if any superhero movie deserves your hard-earned cash this summer, it's Guardians. 



2. Star Power 

If you doubt the severity of star power, remember that it was Robert Downey Jr. who really jumpstarted the Marvel cinematic universe back in his first Iron Man.  His irreverent humor, as well as his blend of comedy and drama, have really trickled their way down into the recent Marvel movies, especially Guardians of the Galaxy.  It's kind of a big deal. 

There are a lot of stars worth describing, but I'm only going to hit the highlights.  Reason 2 is kind of long, so I won't take it personal if you want to scroll down and check out Reason 3. 

Thanks for sticking around!

Okay, so you shrugged off Chris Pratt in Delivery Man.  Can't blame you there.  You watched in awe as his teeth were knocked out in Wanted (yeah, that was him).  And you laughed till you cried at his goofy shenanigans on Parks and Recreation.  Well, Guardians of the Galaxy is his best acting job to date.  This is his standout role, the gig that's catapulted him to stardom and made him a household Hollywood name.  Pratt's portrayal of Peter Quill is excellent.  He pegs the goofy humor, and the body language.  Plus, his introduction in the movie is fantastic.  Seriously, in his first two minutes on screen, you'll know everything you need to know about Peter Quill.  And if he's not enough to convince, check out the next name on the list. 

Zoe Saldana.  As in Uhura from Star Trek.  Bad-A Cataleya from Columbiana.  You might recognize her in blue rather than green. 



And it only took seven hours at the face painting booth.

In Guardians, she plays the lethal assassin Gamora, adopted daughter of Thanos and henchwoman to Ronin.  Saldana brings more than the femme-fatale to Peter's entourage.  She does a good job capturing Gamora's anger and mistrust, and really helps her character evolve through the course of the film.  Besides, who else could pull off those crazy ninja moves of hers?  She kicks some serious intergalactic butt! 

Plus, she looks good doing it.  In case you don't believe me: 



See?  Told ya.

 

 Next up is my personal favorite (and probably everybody's personal favorite cuz he's so friggin' awesome).  Rocket Raccoon.  This crazy critter is all over the place, hatching schemes, building moon bombs.  He's snarky.  He's irreverent.  He's funny as hell. 



Rocket and Groot getting their epic on.

 

More importantly, he's voiced by Bradley Cooper.  The same Bradley Cooper in The Hangover trilogy and American Hustle.  The guy's resume writes itself.  Anyways, his voice acting for Rocket Raccoon is phenomenal.  Rocket arrives a little ways into the movie, but his affinity for big guns and bigger shenanigans makes him a highly magnetic character.  Cooper's voicing never misses a beat.  What's really impressive is that Cooper's voice is barely recognizable.  He really gets into the character.  Whether Rocket's sobbing at a bar or making vocabulistics with his friend/crony Groot, Cooper never falters in his high-octane performance. 

Speaking of Groot, the loveable tree brute is voiced by none other than Vin Diesel.  Didn't like him in Riddick?  Irrelevant.  Wasn't impressed with the Fast franchise?  Doesn't matter.  Unaware that he voiced the Iron Giant?  Perfectly normal.  Little of Vin Diesel's previous work is really comparable here.  Diesel has one predominant line this whole movie.  One.  Line.  But that line, "I am Groot," is presented countless times in countless ways, and each time Diesel nails the figurative emotion to the literal tree.  Plus, those hyper-expressive facial features give you poignant glances into Groot's gentle soul.  Be warned!  Groot is a total scene stealer.  He will make you laugh.  He will make you cry.  And you will love him for it. 



Groot's got all kinds of tricks up his sleeve.

I can go on and on about the other talents in this movie.  Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer (not his acting debut, by the way).  Michael Rooker as the whistling gambit Yondu.  Karen Gillan as Nebula, Gamora's jealous not-really-sister.  The list goes on and on.  Benecio del Toro.  John C. Reilly.  Josh Brolin. 

But Reason 2 has gone on long enough.  The last star power I'd like to point out is Lee Pace, as Ronan the Accuser.  He's the bad guy, the one looking to destroy planets and such.  Kind of an angry dude.  Looks like this: 



Do I have something on my face?

Underneath all that makeup is Lee Pace, who really takes it full tilt as Ronan.  If you thought he tore it up as Thranduil (in The Hobbit), wait until you see him go full psycho.  Complete with war paint and a brutal war hammer, Pace really ups the stakes in Guardians.  I had to keep reminding myself, "That's the guy from Pushing Daisies."   The dude's barely recognizable in his Kree armor. 


And boy, does his acting make a huge difference.  One of the few flaws in Guardians of the Galaxy is that the villains don't really have any vicious scenes early on to demonstrate their...well, villainy.  It's left up to reputation and word of mouth to explain how bad the bad guys really are.  Their motives are kinda flat, and they're not really fleshed out a whole lot. 

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

So when Pace cranks up Ronan's crazy, it really lends itself to the movie and helps you feel like there really is something at stake here.  His performance is what makes Ronan feel dangerous. 


3. The Music

My gosh. That soundtrack, that sugary sweet soundtrack. It really is the heart and soul of the movie. Right there, front and center, director James Gunn introduces "Awesome Mix Vol. 1," a cassette tape that Peter's cancer-ridden mother has made for her darling son. This tape features all of her favorite hits, golden treasures from the seventies, including "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways, "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone, and almost a dozen other songs that perfectly play into the style and plot of the movie.

 

This groovy cassette is Peter's last tie to his mother, his home world, and his past. It serves as the lifeblood of the movie, providing humor in many places (Gunn, you sly devil, interplaying the Piña Colada song during the jailbreak scene!) and giving depth to others. I can't remember a movie where the soundtrack was so integral to the plot. You'll be delighted over and over as another perfect song will appear, followed by another, and another. Seriously, the soundtrack's awesome, you can buy it from a million different websites. Also, no, cassettes are not hip and happenin' again. Seventies music, yes. Cassette tapes, no.


Even Stonewall Jackson here digs the music. 

As profound as the music is to the film, it would be sinful of me not to bring up the importance of...

4. The Colors

Now I know what you're thinking.  Colors?  What's so special about the colors?  Well, lemme tell ya. 

Comic books (Marvel's original product of choice as well as the source material for all their wonderful movies) are colorful.  Not just colorful.  They're vibrant.  Look at Superman, in bright red and blue, or the X-men in their very yellow...whatever those are.  Over the past several years, Hollywood has seeped a lot of the color out of superhero films in an attempt to make them grittier and more realistic. 



See what I mean?


Guardians of the Galaxy refuses to conform to such ideas.  Color packs a huge wallop in this movie.  Instead of brooding, gloomy shades dominating the big screen, there are starscapes swirling with fuchsias and violets!  There are vibrant worlds, and colorful uniforms, and a friggin' green assassin right there in the thick of it.  Half the bad guys are blue, for goodness sake! 



Thank you, James Gunn, for not making Gamora this sickly grey color.

James Gunn has a solid grip on the film's identity, and the color palette is a very conscious decision.  These bright colors really help with the weightless comedy, as well as fun daring tone of Guardians of the Galaxy.  Practically every scene is eye candy, and you'll be noticing tiny details you missed as you watch the movie a second (or third) time.  Definitely a great choice. 

5. The Tie-Ins

The year was 2008.  Enter Iron Man, the stand-alone movie that would breathe life into Marvel Studios.  This is also the year when Marvel's first post-credits scene made its appearance, where Nick Fury confirms the Avengers Initiative (and by induction, the whole Marvel universe).  Since then, Marvel has packed their movies with hidden treasures and teasers, sneaky cameos and name drops, all of which create a sense of inter-connectedness in their movies. 

Guardians of the Galaxy brings a ton of these Marvel universe teasers to a head, and fleshes them out into cinema gold.  I'd just like to bring up a few of the really big ones...

Only slightly more comfortable than the Iron Throne.

Like Thanos.  Thanos is pretty much the godfather of Marvel intergalactic evildom.  He's the one who lent Loki the Chitauri army in The Avengers, and the guy who sent Ronan to kill Drax's family. 

In Guardians of the Galaxy, he's again in league with Ronan, lending the Kree warrior two of his favorite "daughters" Gamora and Nebula.  While his appearance is brief, it is very much appreciated.  It really helps flesh Thanos out as a character (though a vast, overarching character that won't really be fully utilized for a few years).  His role isn't terribly active, but the tie-ins with The Avengers post-scene and future Marvel blockbusters are nice. 

Also, he's voiced by Josh Brolin.  So there's that. 

Another ginormous tie-in is the Collector.  And no, the Collector is not a spoiler since he appears in the movie trailers.  Like Thanos, he too seeks to gather together the Infinity Stones, though it's unclear whether he requires them for some nefarious scheme or if he's simply doing what he does.  Collecting things.  Either way, he reminds me a lot of Gary Oldman's Zorg in The Fifth Element.



"I want those stones!"

The Collector first makes his appearance in the Marvel cinematic universe in the post-credits scene of Thor 2, when (spoiler) Thor's battle buddies drop off the Aether at his mausoleum of creepy critters.  Like Thanos, the Collector feels like a huge character, one whose presence is tremendous in the Marvel universe.  They've both already transcended two different Marvel movies at this point.  Unlike Thanos, however, the Collector plays a pivotal role in Guardians of the Galaxy.  


Yes.  The Collector is as odd as he looks.  And that's awesome.

He furthers the plot, answers crucial questions (that both the Guardians and the audience share), and sets up some sweet Rocket wisecracks.  There's no doubt in my mind that we'll definitely be seeing more of Benecio del Toro in future films.  (His performance, by the way, is fantastic, really channeled that weird alien vibe.)  


Speaking of the Collector, that ties into the next reason you should go see Guardians of the Galaxy...

6. The Easter Eggs

Guardians, like all Marvel movies, is littered with Easter eggs, little trinkets for diligent fans to find.  Many of these are on display, right there in the middle of Knowhere, in the Collector's museum.  I myself spotted a Dark Elf and a Chitauri, and I'm sure there are several more that whisked over my head. 



Recurring cocoon thing?  Check.  Obligatory tentacle creature?  Check.   

But there's tons of them throughout the whole movie!  There are several cameo appearances (not counting Stan Lee), deceitfully insignificant characters, and a lot of tie-ins to various comic book origins. 

I'll be honest, nerdy as I am, I am in no way a comic book buff.  There are tons of Easter eggs and tie-ins that I've missed (and a few I've left unmentioned so as not to spoil anything).  If you've seen the movie and feel like sharing, throw out a spoiler warning and smack them in the comments.  Happy hunting!

7. Money Don't Lie

 So, yeah, Guardians has already made $274,610,000 since it hit theaters.  First of the month.  274 MILLION dollars.  And that's just here in America.  That's a lotta cheeseburgers, people, and a lotta reasons to go see this movie. 

I myself have already gone and seen it twice.  Which may not sound like much, but believe me, for a broke college kid living off granola, twice is a lot. 

8. RDJ Approved

Did I mention that Tony Stark *cough cough* Robert Downey Jr. declared Guardians of the Galaxy his favorite Marvel movie to date?  While promoting his new movie The Judge, he was questioned about the movie by folks from the Toronto Sun, to which he replied:

"Galaxy in some ways is the best Marvel movie ever.  And it's odd for someone with -on occasion- an ego the size of mine to actually say that!" 

Well, that's it.  If it's good enough for Tony, it's good enough for me!   He also happens to be right, by the way.  Guardians is Marvel's masterpiece in a lot of ways (as we've already discussed), but one of my favorite things about it is...

9. The Best Stan Lee Cameo to Date

Or, if not the best, at least my personal favorite.  Second only to his memorable work as the school librarian in The Amazing Spiderman.  



He's just havin' a dandy old time. 

One of the coolest things about the Marvel cinematic universe is that Stan Lee is welcome to be a part of it.  Literally.  His cameo appearances in Marvel's films are one of the best things about the movies.  I'll sit in the theatre and wait for that glorious moment when the mastermind behind Marvel gets his two seconds of film glory.  And I won't spoil anything about his expectedly brief yet comical appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy.  Let me just say, it was hilarious, made so by Rocket's quippy commentary.  Classic Stan Lee.  Keep your eyes peeled. 

And that brings me to the last reason you should see Guardians of the Galaxy...

10. Because Sam Said So

Several words come to mind when I think about my Guardians of the Galaxy experience.  Fantastic.  Hilarious.  Must see it again.  This is a movie I could watch again and again and again. 

When I walked out of the movie theatre, I felt as though I'd just had another Avengers experience.  The movie was hilarious, even more so than its predecessor, and I was grinning like a loon through the whole movie. 



Okay, maybe not that much like a loon.

One of the most refreshing things about Guardians is that it doesn't take itself too seriously.  Yes, this is a well-executed movie, but it juggles humor and drama like a pro.  The style is very different, and James Gunn really sticks the landing between playful and mature.  Comedy gets thrown around the whole movie, and the episodic plot actually helps the movie feel like a comic book come to life. 


Uncle Yondu wants you! to go see his movie.

To summarize, this movie is darn near perfect.  I wish we could've seen more backstories, especially between Gamora and Nebula.  And I wouldn't have minded a scene or two of gritty battle, maybe Ronan destroying some of those Xandar outposts.  Something to set up how really violent and dangerous he is.  But on the whole, darn near perfect.  Oh, and a little bit more on the romance bit.  That would've been nice. 

James Gunn gets inspiration from all the right sources.  What starts off feeling like a galactic Indiana Jones riff evolves into a space western, with a steampunk vibe and a legit (slightly predictable but no less enjoyable) final confrontation reminiscent of the rebooted Star Trek franchise.  It's certainly one-of-a-kind. 

All in all, it's awesome, and I have every intention of snagging this movie on Blu-ray.  I officially declare this movie FREAKING AWESOME! and give it 9.6 out of 10.  Check it out in theatres tomorrow, it's Labor Day, hope you have the day off.  Ciao! 

Sam
 

P.S. Here's a trailer in case you somehow haven't seen one yet. 

What did you think of Guardians of the Galaxy?  Post your thoughts in the comments below! 

Did you like my review?  Say so below! 

Disagree with me?  Say so below! 

Any movie you want me to review?  Say so below! 

Have a burning need to correct me on the minutia of comic book trivia?  Click off! 



All images belong to their respected owners.  Commercial can be found on Marvel Entertainment's YouTube channel.  GIFs courtesy of giphy.com.  Robert Downey Junior's praise for the movie can be found on variety.com.  Thanks to boxofficemojo.com for keeping me  updated on cinema gross.  Also very special thanks to Jake and Jessie, my best friends, without whom this blog wouldn't be possible.  I mean every word when I say that "We are Groot."