Guardians of the Galaxy Premiere

So, we went to London on Thursday for the European premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s the latest offering from Marvel Studios, and the first of its cosmic adventures made for the big screen.

The husband and the dort,
looking fabulous for the premiere

The Guardians have been around since the late sixties. The husband got his hands on this Marvel comic book in 2008 and wrote it for a couple of years. The movie was based on his incarnation and on his team, although Nicole Perlman prepared the first draft for a film on the Marvel Writers’ Program. James Gunn, who also directed the movie, devised the story and wrote the screenplay.

The husband was invited by James Gunn for a couple of set visits. He met the director, cast and crew, read the script, saw concept art and was on-set during some of the filming. James Gunn couldn’t have been more generous or inclusive, and the husband had a fabulous time.

It was rather a thrill to be invited to the premiere... all of us, the husband, me and the dort. We went... Of course we went.

We decided to make a day of it, and booked into a hotel on Leicester Square. 

Things started to ramp up pretty early. There was a mass of digital hoardings playing shots and character profiles from the movie, the red carpet was laid out (OK, so it was blue, but you get my drift), and the crowds, and boy were there crowds! began to gather in their thousands.

A couple of hours before showtime, I took a walk around. If I was going to have to walk up between those barriers holding back mobs of fans, I wanted to be prepared. Yes, I know they weren’t there for me, but still, they were a sight to behold.

Me and the husband looking pretty relaxed
at the premiere

It was a bright, beautiful day. The paparazzi were out in force, in their cordoned off area, announcements were being made to the crowds, and camera crews were stalking the carpet, interviewing the stars.

Thankfully, we had a short route up the carpet and into the theatre towards the beginning of the hoopla. We were in our seats, watching most of the blue carpet madness on the big screen.

So many famous faces!

James Gunn was there with producer Jeremy Latcham. Chris Pratt was there, along with Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan and Vin Diesel. Vin Diesel is the voice of Groot, in the movie, and Groot is a tree, so Diesel walked the carpet on stilts, which was pretty impressive. Also present were Mark Hamill, Chris Hemsworth, Steven Moffat and Joss Whedon. I shook Joss Whedon’s hand... Like you do.

We were sitting watching the action on-screen in the theatre when a host of minor celebs got their photo ops on the blue carpet. The dort thought it was rather hilarious to see her old pal Josh Zaré of Kingsland Road up on the screen. She texted him. He texted back. You’ve got to love a coincidence.

Finally, and let’s not pretend that the public stuff doesn’t take about as long as the movie takes to watch, we were all sitting comfortably in the movie theatre. We had all been provided with bottled water and snacks and our eyewear, and the screen went dark. Oh... did I mention that we were in the IMAX 3D screening?

The dort making me laugh!

James Gunn introduced the stars, and talked a little bit about the movie, the lights went down and the opening sequence began.

The rest was a rollercoaster.

The movie flew by. It was fast-paced, action-packed, funny, irreverent, tongue-in-cheek and, at times, rather moving.

I’m not the target audience for this type of movie, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a great family blockbuster, and I’d recommend it to anyone. As a matter of fact, I plan to see it again myself.

I suppose, in a way, I have a vested interest in this movie. Those five characters: Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon (yep there really is a talking raccoon in this film and he’s a snarky little bugger) and Groot the sentient tree... Those five characters were put together as a team by the husband six years ago. He set the tone for their adventures. He made them funny and feisty, and he had a hand in making Marvel Cosmic popular. 

James Gunn saw that and he did something fabulous with it in his own medium. He made a fun, funny, exciting space adventure movie that’s going to be a big hit... And if you don’t believe me, read the reviews. I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Not for nothing, I’m the sort of person who likes to sit through the credits of any movie, just as I like to know who wrote the latest story I’m reading. Credit where credit’s due.

James Gunn is a generous, inclusive film-maker. And, yes, I do know that I’ve said that twice now. He talked about his cast and crew, about making a family, when he introduced the movie to us in the theater. He clearly believes what he says.

At the end of the movie, I sat and watched those names scrolling down. I was thrilled, if a little surprised to see the husband’s name. James Gunn had acknowledged Dan Abnett in the credits of his movie. He didn’t have to. It was incredibly generous of him. I can’t tell you how much the husband appreciated it, or how proud I was to see his name on that screen.