Story

Themes

Loss of a parent; aliens; alien abduction; devices of mass destruction

Violence

Guardians of the Galaxy contains intense sequences of action violence and peril, including multiple deaths and mass destruction of property. There is minimal blood and gore, however. For example:

• Aliens battle each other with laser beams. Some scenes involve large laser cannons firing at and destroying spaceships, resulting in massive explosions.
• In one of the movie’s most brutal scenes, a man is strapped to a stone chair designed for torture. A humanoid raises a massive sledgehammer and brings it down on the man’s head (the actual hammer strike occurs off screen). Blood from the slain man runs down channels carved into the stone floor.
• Several scenes show stylised fighting between male and female humanoid aliens and a man. They punch and kick each other’s heads, faces and bodies. Some stylised fights also involve the use of bladed weapons.
• An alien woman rips off her own cybernetic hand when it becomes trapped.
• A humanoid female alien uses a sword-like weapon to repeatedly wound an alien tree-like creature. The woman cuts off the creature’s arms, which quickly grow back.
• An alien is killed with a knife. Yellow blood sprays from the creature’s wound.
• A creature with branch-like fingers sticks them up another creature’s nose, where they keep growing. There is the sound of bone and cartilage ripping apart, and the second creature falls to the ground crying and whimpering. In another scene the tree creature stabs an alien in the chest with its hand. The dying alien spews up green vomit.
• An alien talks about killing a young girl’s parents in front of her, torturing her and then turning her into a weapon.
• A group of aliens disintegrates in a gigantic explosion. Flames engulf a woman’s body.
• An alien uses his mind to control an arrow with which he kills dozens of enemies.

Sexual references

Guardians of the Galaxy has some sexual references. For example:

• A man suggests that a woman should trade sexual favours with prisoners to get what she and he need to escape from prison.
• Quill talks about being wounded by a jealous girlfriend for cheating on her.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Guardians of the Galaxy shows some use of substances. For example:

• Men stand around a gambling table holding drinks. In the same scene Rocket drinks alcohol and acts drunkenly.
• Humanoid aliens drink alcohol and act in a mildly drunken way.

Nudity and sexual activity

Guardians of the Galaxy has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

• Peter Quill tries to kiss Gamora, but she presses a knife to his throat.
• Female characters wear tight-fitting and brief clothing.

Product placement

There is no product placement of concern in Guardians of the Galaxy itself, but merchandise associated with the movie is being marketed to children.

Coarse language

Guardians of the Galaxy has some mild-medium coarse language and some name-calling throughout.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Guardians of the Galaxy is a Marvel Comics action adventure, targeting older teenagers and adult fans of science fiction movies. The movie is likely to entertain its target audience with action scenes, special effects, lots of humour and a soundtrack of 1970s classics.

The movie’s M rating is appropriate, however. It has many violent and disturbing scenes and scary characters, which makes it unsuitable for children under 13 years and some older children. We recommend parental guidance for younger teenagers who might want to see this movie.

These are the main messages from Guardians of the Galaxy:

• You can achieve great things by working with others rather than by yourself.
• Friends can become like family.