I am a massive fan of music and a huge fan of movies. Putting music and movies together is even better than the idea to combine chocolate and peanut butter. Movies trade in emotion and the right song in the right place can amplify those emotions by a thousand percent (at least). When I was younger and I loved a movie, I would immediately run out and buy the soundtrack. A strong movie soundtrack provides my mind with all the information it needs to recreate the emotional journey of the film. You can imagine my delight when I saw that the Guardians of the Galaxy films prominently feature the most sacred of gifts exchanged between friends – the mix tape.
I am roughly the same age as Peter Quill and growing up in the 80s and 90s, nothing cemented friendships more than music. In the Guardians films, the mix tapes given to Quill are from the most important person in his life, and he shares those songs with his chosen family. Any member of Quill’s team would never be able to hear “Hooked On A Feeling” or “Father and Son” without instantly remembering their time together. Music is the glue that sticks together all of the massive emotions that we carry around within us, and in the right setting music can even allow people to communicate with each other without speaking. Back in the day when you went into your audio laboratory (meaning whatever room contained your boombox or stereo) armed with a fat stack of CDs, cassettes, and in some cases records, to concoct the tastiest, nastiest, most gorgeous monster of a mix tape for a person, you meant business. Mix tapes bond people for life and I can readily list all the friends that I have made a mix tape for or received a mix tape from.
Music can also allow to communicate difficult and sometimes challenging emotions without speaking. I personally have had situations where I have been unable to speak to someone, but after listening to a mix tape together in silence we were able to reconnect. There are certain songs that can make me laugh out loud (and look like a prized asshole when I do it) as well as songs that make me cry. Just the other day I was in a record store listening to a used LP, and when a certain song came on it was as David Johansen said in Scrooged, “Niagara Falls, Frankie. Niagara Falls.” What attracts me most to the Guardians of the Galaxy films are the mix tapes, and the idea of having a family of your own choosing. The characters in these films have found their way into my heart, and I am absolutely terrified that the upcoming third installment in the franchise will be the last time that the team will be altogether. James Gunn wisely placed the mix tapes in the films centerstage because long after the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has concluded, the power of music will allow us to travel back to visit our friends on the Milano anytime we would like.
Episode 21: Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2 (Released February 21, 2022)
