Over the past five years, Marvel has created an incredible cinematic universe that has grown well beyond its comics' popularity. The widespread appeal of movies, such as Guardians of the Galaxy with their comedic brilliance and unique storylines, has helped to make Marvel and its characters household names.
Each character in Guardians of the Galaxy plays an important role in the success of the films. They all have their own distinct personalities and iconic scenes that fans love to reminisce about.
Starlord/Peter Quill: Opening Dance Scene
The character Peter Quill, or 'Starlord', played by Chris Pratt, has plenty of iconic scenes. However, the first and one of the best is the very first scene of The Guardians of the Galaxy. While the opening credits roll, Quill enters a dark chamber on a desolate alien planet and begins dancing to Come and Get Your Love (by Redbone). He is attacked by sharp-toothed rodent-like lizards, using one as an impromptu microphone to sing into.
This scene perfectly set up the sci-fi comedy flavor of the film and the personality of its protagonist. There were plenty more funny and sad Starlord scenes to come, but the very first scene still ranks as one of the most iconic.
Groot: "We Are Groot"
Groot, the tree-being and friend of Rocket Racoon, has one iconic scene that all fans will well. In fact, it goes down as one of the best scenes in the Guardians movies. When the Guardians find themselves in Ronan's ship about to crash land on a planet, Groot transforms himself into a protective shell around his friends.
Even though he knows it will cost him his life, he willingly sacrifices himself in an attempt to save the others. Fans can't help but get teary at the thought of Groot's sweet character and this selfless act. It was heartbreaking thinking that he was dead after seeing his body broken upon impact.
Rocket Racoon: The Prison Escape
Rocket Racoon is a bounty hunter with a wry attitude and a love of guns, mayhem, and thievery. He is intelligent, resourceful, and daring. Rocket's most iconic scene might be the escape from prison he plans, unwittingly creating a team that will be 'the Guardians' in the process.
This scene gives fans a look into Rocket's character, from his ability to plan and execute a risky escape, his partnership with Groot to his particular dark sense of humor.
Gamora: Sacrificed By Thanos
Zoe Saldana plays Gamora, the warrior, bounty hunter, and adoptive daughter of Thanos. Gamora has plenty of great scenes, but her most iconic has to be when Thanos sacrifices her for the soul stone in Avengers: Infinity War.
Gamora was a complex, entertaining main character, and fans were shocked at her death. It is even more poignant because Gamora was in this position due to her love for Nebula, her half-sister. Gamora saved Nebula from Thanos' torture by agreeing to take him to the soul stone.
Drax the Destroyer: Showdown With Ronan
Dave Bautista masterfully portrays the amusingly literal Drax. However, this character also had a bit of a tragic backstory. He seeks revenge on Ronan for the death of his wife and child, and finally gets the opportunity he's been waiting for when Ronan's ship lands on the planet the Guardians are visiting.
While Drax is usually the biggest and strongest guy in the room, he is no match for the Kree soldier. Ronan easily beats Drax and disdainfully leaves him for dead. Fans were moved to see Drax finally get to challenge his tormentor, and heartbroken when his pain was so easily tossed aside - especially as Ronan says he doesn't killing them in the first place.
Mantis: Trying to Make Friends
Mantis has so many great scenes, and many of them are fairly short, so it's hard to pick the most iconic. However, one of them stands out as a perfect example of her character's innocence and lonely past. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Drax and Mantis are sitting beside a campfire meeting each other for the first time.
Drax asks, "What are you doing?" to which Mantis replies, "Smiling. I hear it is the thing to do to make people like you." Mantis reveals that she was raised alone on Ego's island and has never interacted with anyone else. Her innocence and kind nature eventually win Drax, and the rest of the crew, over.
Yondu: Sacrificing Himself For Quill
Michael Rooker plays Yondu, the man who essentially raised Quill after picking him up on Earth. Yondu's most iconic moment is when he tells Quill that he thinks of him as a son, and then sacrifices his own life so that Quill can live.
When the bomb the Guardians have set at the heart of Ego's planet goes off, Quill is still inside fighting Ego. As his father disintegrates and the walls of the cavern fall down around him, Yondu swoops in and grabs Quill, flying them both out of the heart of the planet and just ahead of the explosion.
He not only whisks Quill away from the imploding planet but gives him the only space suit they have between them, saving Quill and sacrificing himself. His last words to Peter are, "He might have been your father, boy, but he wasn't your daddy... I'm damn lucky you were my boy." There's never a dry eye in the theatre after that scene.
Nebula: Killing Her Past Self To Save Gamora
Karen Gillan played Nebula, the newest member of the Guardians and the step-sister of Gamora. The two have more than a little sibling rivalry. Impressing their father has real consequences for their well-being, and Nebula finds herself being tortured and 'improved' every time her sister bests her. After spending so much time hating Gamora and trying to kill her, in the second Guardians movie, they finally reach a tentative understanding and place the blame for their unhealthy relationship where it belongs - with Thanos.
In greatest moments between Nebula and Gamora.
