"Guardians of the Galaxy" was a risky film choice for Marvel.

What with the story set in space, the anthropomorphic raccoon, the giant tree creature, and the combination of a leading man and director who had never been involved in a big budget production, it could have easily been a disappointment.

That Marvel was willing to announce a sequel for this movie before it was even released revealed a confidence that this risk would pay off with a hit.

And Marvel was very right.

Within the first five minutes of "Guardians," its main character, Peter Quill, leaves Earth via an alien abduction. The next time we see Quill, played by Chris Pratt, he is a fully formed outlaw in the course of one of his capers and trying to make the pseudonym Star-Lord stick.

Over the next two hours the film tells an out-of-this-world story that never loses its audience because of its underlying theme, losing and forming family bonds, is one that anyone can relate to. It also helps that this is the funniest movie in the Marvel universe, with every main character getting a chance to deliver side-splitting lines (or a singular side-splitting line in the case of Groot).

Music plays a key role in this adventure, as Quill's mixtape is the only thing he has to connect to home. He even risks getting caught to go back for the tape his mother made him of the music she listened to as a child. The musical choices complement the on-screen action perfectly and lends to the feeling that this movie is serious about having a good time.

In fact, "Guardians" never stops having fun, and anyone who grew up before 1988 will have bouts of nostalgia caused by Quill's many references to pop culture from his time on Earth. But the movie is also surprisingly touching. Pratt does an excellent job of playing the charismatic rogue, while also carrying the baggage of a child that misses his home.

Vin Diesel's Groot, a giant talking tree creature, provides a lot of the heart in "Guardians." The special effects magic that brought Groot to life allow the character, with the help of Diesel's voice, to convey emotion and provide some of the movie's most beautiful shots. It's not a stretch to say that Groot steals the movie.

The rest of Quill's team consists of Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, and the voice of Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon.

Although only three of the Guardians are present as physical forms, there is tremendous chemistry in the group.

Director James Gunn deserves a lot of the credit for combining these elements into such an entertaining story, and it is great for fans that he will return to direct the "Guardians of the Galaxy" sequel in 2017. Here, he tones down his crass tendencies to the point that there are only a few jokes that you'll truly want to avoid explaining to your kids. However, that doesn't come at the cost of his humor, which is a constant presence in the film.

Due to the need for this team of outcasts to be introduced and established, there is less time for the villains to shine. Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, and Djimon Hounsou are strong actors who do a fine job with the opportunities that are given to Ronan, Nebula, and Korath, respectively. However, none of the villains are truly memorable when compared to Loki from "Thor" or The Winter Soldier from "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

The brilliant special effects and well-utilized 3D create a sense of immersion that makes you feel that, like Quill, you've left Earth well behind and are OK with that. Because the film taps into Marvel's Cosmic Universe, it has the freedom to explore stunning worlds and cities that make this one of the most visually interesting comic book movies.

Parents should note that the movie contains some jokes and language that aren't appropriate for children. If they can handle the language, they're very likely to love the movie and come away with a new favorite superhero.

This film is recommended for almost any moviegoer. It will make you laugh and sit on the edge of your seat, but it will also warm your heart. Even moviegoers who are unfamiliar with these characters or don't normally enjoy a good space opera can expect to have a great time.