How Star-Lord Became A Legendary Hero In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

How Star-Lord Became A Legendary Hero In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

At the beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy, Peter Quill makes it very clear that he wishes to be regarded as a legendary outlaw. However, thanks to the choices he makes throughout the film, he actually becomes a legendary hero. Hit the jump to hear my argument!

Editorial Opinion
By BobbyDrakeApproaches - Sep 01, 2014 11:09 AM EST
Source: BrainyQuote.com


 


“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” That was a quote from Thomas Paine, and it seems strangely relevant to the character of Peter Quill, who wishes to be known as a legendary outlaw, but his character is eventually revealed to be far more than that.
 

Part of what he believes will add to the legend is being known by a special name, Star-Lord. You could argue that wanting to be known as a legendary outlaw is actually a bad thing. After all, this is a reputation that many criminals strive for. What makes this want so charming is the way Peter behaves. He acts so goofy, he is almost like a child pretending to be an outlaw.
 

Of course, you have seen the movie, so you know what eventually happens. Stop reading right now if you have not, as spoilers will follow.
 

Peter has a change of heart, and he no longer seems to care about becoming a legendary outlaw. Instead, he becomes determined to save the planet of Xander, despite the fact that he is not emotionally invested in that planet. He could have decided to do what Rocket suggested, and attempt to flee to the other side of the galaxy in order to escape Ronan’s murderous wrath. Instead, he chooses the far more noble option, and convinces his allies to help him defeat Ronan and save Xander.



Of course, this is very heroic, but the apex of Peter’s heroism comes after Ronan’s ship has already crashed onto the surface of Xander. Ronan is moments away from destroying the planet, but Peter risks his life to distract him.
 

Of course, Peter is going to die anyway in a few moments, so you could argue that he is not risking much. However, the most important thing about this scene is not the fact that Peter distracts him, but the way that Peter distracts him: he dances.
 

Dancing is definitely an important theme in this movie, as it is one of the ways that Gamora and Peter bond, and I do not need to tell you about the greatest scene in the movie featuring a baby Groot. However, I believe that Star-Lord’s dancing has a lot more significance than it first appears.
 

Earlier in the movie, Peter tells Gamora about Kevin Bacon, and describes him as a great hero. Of course, Peter is fabricating the truth just a bit, but that does not matter. He is establishing the character of Kevin Bacon as a legend in the eyes of Gamora, with his dancing being the way he is heroic, and legends are not necessarily true.  



Later in the movie, after Gamora, Star-Lord, and Drax have done something heroic, Gamora says that they are, “Just like Kevin Bacon!” This line was definitely meant to be humorous, but it is also a set-up for Peter’s heroic act in the end.
 

You see, when Peter dances in front of Ronan at the end, he is not just distracting him in order to save Xander. He is also embracing the legacy of Kevin Bacon, and becoming the legendary hero that he told Gamora about. He is living up to his own example.
 

Peter goes a step further in accepting his status as a legendary hero after he has grabbed the Infinity stone. He holds the stone, and holds hands with Gamora, Drax and Rocket. He tells Ronan that they are the Guardians of the Galaxy, which initially appears to just be a way for Peter to throw Ronan’s taunt back in his face. However, it is actually far more than that, as Star-Lord and his other allies have already entered into legendary status themselves by picking up an Infinity stone to save a planet. The name, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” merely adds to that legend.

Do you agree with my assessment? Do you think that Peter should have stayed an outlaw? Do you think that Kevin Bacon is actually a villain thanks to “X-Men: First Class?” Let me know in the comments!

NOVA: Glenn Close And John C. Reilly Rumored To Reprise GOTG Roles For Disney+ Series
Related:

NOVA: Glenn Close And John C. Reilly Rumored To Reprise GOTG Roles For Disney+ Series

GOTG VOL. 3 Star Pom Klementieff Rumored To Be In Talks To Play Huntress In The DCU
Recommended For You:

GOTG VOL. 3 Star Pom Klementieff Rumored To Be In Talks To Play Huntress In The DCU

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

RextheKing
RextheKing - 9/1/2014, 12:21 PM
Great job, I would just like to add the fact that grabbing the stone by himself, not only after the Collector told him how dangerous it would be but after seeing first hand after his servant grabbed it, also added to his heroism.
Wallymelon
Wallymelon - 9/1/2014, 12:23 PM
Great article. I like this. Such a fun movie.
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/1/2014, 12:39 PM
@RextheKing Thanks! You are right, that was certainly heroic. It is interesting to note that this is one of the many scenes in the movie where Peter's heroism inspired the other Guardians to be heroic as well.
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/1/2014, 12:39 PM
@Wallymelon Thanks! This movie was a blast.
batz11
batz11 - 9/1/2014, 1:19 PM
I really think I could watch this movie everyday if I could...
batz11
batz11 - 9/1/2014, 1:21 PM
Great read, I hope they get Bacon to play Quill's dad in the sequel...
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/1/2014, 1:42 PM
@RebelVulcan Thanks! I am a big fan of both of those guys, so it is an honor to be compared to them!
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/1/2014, 1:43 PM
@batz11 Thank you! And that is a brilliant idea. We need to start a petition about Bacon playing Star-Lord's daddy.
CherryBomb
CherryBomb - 9/1/2014, 2:09 PM
Tony Stark in Space
CherryBomb
CherryBomb - 9/1/2014, 2:10 PM
Nah kidding, loved him!
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/1/2014, 7:40 PM
@CherryBomb I actually do think that Star-Lord is very similar to Stark, just not as brilliant or rich. I'm curious, do you dislike Tony?
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 9/2/2014, 1:42 AM
Man, i really love Star-Lord. Awesome article.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 9/2/2014, 1:55 AM
Nice article and Awesome movie....
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/2/2014, 5:58 AM
@MightyZeus Thanks! Do you mean Star-Lord from the movie, from the comics, or both?
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/2/2014, 5:59 AM
@DrKinsolving Thank you! And I agree, it was probably the best movie of the summer.
PenditaMarah
PenditaMarah - 9/2/2014, 6:57 AM
kevin bacon....coincidentally he was in x men first class
sikwon
sikwon - 9/2/2014, 9:29 AM
Great article. One thing I would add is that everything earth related. .. quill, the music, all of it, is remembered through the eyes of a child. Quills earth everything has an innocence to it. I think that's a cool aspect.
Spideysense44
Spideysense44 - 9/2/2014, 5:59 PM
Don't forget when he risked his life to save Gamora I mean that wouldn't make him legendary or anything but still
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/2/2014, 9:51 PM
@sikwon Thanks! That's an interesting thing to point out, as this is yet another parallel with The Lego Movie.
BobbyDrakeApproaches
BobbyDrakeApproaches - 9/2/2014, 9:52 PM
@Spideysense44 That's a good point, as that is the first time we see Peter act heroically.
View Recorder