Every summer brings in movies that are touted at the next 'Big Picture'. Every year brings disappointments. There's a lot riding on a summer blockbuster, careers, future funding opportunities, even entire studios. Not to mention our $10 bucks plus popcorn. When a film has built-in expectations, such as come with the word 'Marvel' on the marquee, it has to deliver on the promise.

Guardians of the Galaxy delivers.

Thanks to Disney Vacation Club, I got to go to a sneak preview of Guardians of the Galaxy. They did us proud, with a free soundtrack, free snacks, etc. But I'm not the kind of girl whose good opinion can be bought with a popcorn. No butter, thanks.

Literally my only disappointment was the lack of a teaser for Avengers 2: Age of Ultron at the end. 90% of the audience was waiting around for that or for some other Easter Egg, but we were denied it. The groan that went up was heart-breaking. Marvel/Disney needs to consider getting something added on there before August 1. A piece of the clip shown at Comic-Con would do.

For the rest, it's a ride and a story and vivid characters and a great bad guy�everything you want in a Big Picture. From the first scene, they grab you, pulling you into the story by your emotions. You feel instantly connected to the character of Peter Quill, the self-named Star-Lord. The dancing homage to Indiana Jones is an unexpected plus. It then takes off and doesn't stop until the end. Head to the rest-room first, folks, because you aren't going to want to miss a scene.

All the performances are good. Zoe Saldana (rapidly becoming the go-to girl for sci-fi/fantasy epics) overcomes her green makeup to reach the pain Gamora feels within. For a guy with a three-word vocabulary, Groot (ably voiced by Vin Diesel) makes the most of his screen time. Bradley Cooper also delivers a fine vocal performance as Rocket, finding both the amorality and the purity of the character. Dave Bautista, a WWE wrestler making, so far as I can tell, his first film, is marvelous in the role of Drax, bringing humor and humanity to the character.

Both Karen Gillan and Lee Pace are virtually unrecognizable as the villains of the piece � sorry Doctor Who and The Hobbit fans � and seemed to have a great time being evil. I'd love to see Thor go head to head with this guy. When you see it, you'll know why but I promised no spoilers.

What about Chris Pratt? (No relation, by the way, though I have a cousin of that name). Well, he's playing someone who is difficult to love, difficult to get to know, difficult to appreciate. He's the guy who showed off too much in class, to the point where he was disruptive rather than amusing. As the story goes on, he does grow on you�a little. He's the focus character and if he tried too hard to make Peter Quill likable, he could have easily ruined the whole thing. That he didn't take that path, leaving you to walk out feeling good about the experience, is a testament to his performance. And also a testament to the script�which takes time for the grace notes which create character and are so often the things sacrificed when a film runs long.

This is the first movie I've been to in a long while that the audience applauded for when it ended. And it wasn't the free ticket. This movie has what we love big noisy space opera movies for � big stakes, big chances, good lines, and characters we come to care about. They have a real relationship with each other and invite us along. Star Trek did it. Star Wars did it. Now Guardians of the Galaxy does it � a little snarkier, a little grungier � but just as much fun.

Definitely see it on the biggest screen you can find. This movie well repays the investment in square footage. 3-D if possible.