This Russian effort at a hybrid of 'X-Men' and 'Transformers' is a slow-burning attempted sci-fi actioner that has little to recommend it other than the dark, ominous and hazy look that permeates the dystopia wreaked by a mad scientist August Kuratov (Stanislav Shirin) who suddenly finds himself all too powerful to remain as such.
In an uninteresting and tiresome attempt at back story, a group of Russian intelligence have a closed group round table discussion on how it happened and what needs to be done to prevent him from going berserk. It emerges that there was a rival scientist who was being given all the appreciation and this led to Kuratov's jealousy & madness. During the Cold War, an organization called "Patriot" created a super-hero squad which included Arsus(Anton Pampushnyy)the shape shifting bear man, Temirkhan (Sanzhar Madiyev)the specialized assasin, Lernik(Sebastian Sisak)the stone magnet and Ksenya(Alina Lenina) the thermo neutral vanishing queen among others, members of multiple soviet republics. For years, the heroes had to hide their identities, but now the time has come for them to show their strengths and be counted as guardians. It's up to the Russian intelligence led by Major Elena Larina(Valeriya Shkirando) to convince them to come to the aid of the Russian people and vanquish their creator, Kuratov.
While the cinematography is darkly foreboding the tempo is a little too ponderous and the background score- too hyphenating. The narrative fails to drum up any energy en route to the final act which involves the eventual vanquishing of Kuratov and the hinting at of a sequel to come. There's no adrenaline rush to be had here either. The CGI is industrial grade, there's hardly any light or colour in the set-up. Every act gives you the feel of a low-level computer game where events move a little too slowly to be exciting. While the writer has taken pains to create unique powers for the individual guardians, they just don't come across as interesting enough nor do they have the enthusiasm to fight with gusto. This film just doesn't have what it takes to keep you entertained !
'Guardians: The Superheroes' watch the trailer
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