5) We Care About Each Character
This one is obvious, just like many of the points on this list (I’m trying to be self-aware.) While The Avengers was fun, I felt like each character didn’t bring the baggage that created them from their origin films (the exception being the Black Widow). With Guardians of the Galaxy, it takes as little as a few seconds to connect with a single character, thanks to the superb writing and acting.
For example, Bradley Cooper’s excellent voice acting brings Rocket to life when he drops his smart-ass demeanor and lets his insecurities of his very being splat on the floor. His drunk plea of pity in a matter of seconds achieved what very little films do in a whole two hours.
Each of the Guardians had their own personal motivations for their journey, all of which stemmed from a concern that us everyday people have ourselves: money. They weren’t inherently heroes, and didn’t attempt to stop a grenade from exploding on their fellow compatriots. They’re reluctant heroes at best, which make them all the more tangible.