The Guardians (2017) Russian Avengers (“Guardians”)

In Russia, critics slammed it and people from around the world were not much kinder. It was such a box office bomb that it bankrupted the studio that produced it. The Russian government, who had helped fund it, is demanding its money back. I saw it and… it’s not that bad. Ok- so here is the summary (spoilers- skip this paragraph if you don’t want any). During the Cold War there is a scientific project, called “Patriot”, funded by the military to basically make superhumans. There are two scientists working at it and one of them, Professor August Kuratov, goes all mad scientist and runs away with the research.

The Russian military decides to re-activate the Patriot program and puts Major Elena Larina in charge. They find 4 of the projects and assemble the team. People have bashed the CGI as being terrible but… I didn’t see it that way. Most of it was mixed nicely with practical effects (Kuratov was pretty freaky looking thanks to some great makeup) and was actually very solid. It wasn’t on the level of like a Marvel movie but it was solid. Sanzhar Madiyev as Khan is amazing in every fight scene he’s in. He’s a consummate martial artist, does the coolest damn poses ever (hey- it’s a superhero thing), and his teleportation power is rendered in such a cool way (black smoke, his eyes turn white, etc) that when they blend it in with his martial arts prowess it is amazing. So, overall- it’s good but flawed. It is a truly bizarre, over the top, fun, spectacle but be ready for some head-scratching moments. I’m actually sad it was a bomb in the box office- I think people were setting their expectations too high. 6/10 but go watch it.