Why 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is still the best movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - yes, even better than 'Black Panther'

A strong ensemble cast that perfectly embodies the characters — who were largely unknown before the movie.

As mentioned, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a superhero movie that never should have worked. It features characters largely unknown to general audiences — two of which are a walking, humanoid tree that can only say three words and a talking, genetically modified raccoon. Even more so than "Thor" — about an alien god — "Guardians" was the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first real test. Just what would audiences go along with?

Well, a lot. Thanks to a strong ensemble cast, these bizarre characters are now just as well-known and admired in the MCU as Tony Stark. What's more impressive is that these characters didn't have the benefit of being introduced in an earlier movie like Black Panther or Spider-Man.

It's the movie that introduced the world to the now mega-popular Chris Pratt as an unlikely, quirky action hero. And even more unlikely but proven to be possible, Dave Bautista steals the show as the awkwardly delightful Drax.

It's not just that the actors bring to life their characters so well, it's that they have such good chemistry. The Guardians are a family — a highly dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless, and that makes them different than many other super-teams.

James Gunn.

No other MCU movie has James Gunn at the helm, and his passion both behind the camera and away from it helps make "Guardians" the best of them.

The actors help make their respective characters so likable, but it's Gunn's direction, attention to detail, and engagement with fans that make the "Guardians" movies — yes, even the sequel — so fun even after the credits have rolled.

Gunn's social media presence is notable for engaging with fans and answering questions. He's not shy about revealing new tidbits about the movies. For instance, he recently revealed that the Baby Groot seen in "Vol. 2" is actually the original Groot's son, who sacrifices himself at the end of the first film.

There's also a bevy of Easter eggs hidden in "Guardians of the Galaxy," and Gunn has claimed that there is one Easter egg that fans have not discovered yet. It's this kind of engagement that heightens the experience of watching "Guardians."

It was the first movie in the MCU that didn't feel like it was part of the MCU.

Being a movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a trustworthy trait, so it's not a bad thing by any means. But in regards to "Guardians of the Galaxy," the movie works so well because it doesn't feel stuck in that universe, or pressured to tie into the larger events of it.

Sure, it sets up Thanos as a future bad guy and much of the story revolves around an Infinity Stone that Thanos will be after in "Avengers: Infinity War," but that feels natural and secondary to the characters' relationships. "Guardians" brings the action to planets we hadn't seen before; there's no S.H.I.E.L.D. or Nick Fury or Tony Stark. Again, none of those things are bad, but for this particular movie, it was refreshing and only made it better.

It's the funniest movie in the MCU.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" is the funniest movie in the MCU. It's a distinction that many might give to "Thor: Ragnarok." But I would argue "Guardians" is more consistent and balanced in its humor.

"Thor: Ragnarok" is hilarious, but it is sometimes tonally inconsistent, especially in the beginning — everything before Thor arrives on the planet Sakaar feels like it's from a different movie.

"Guardians," meanwhile, knows exactly what kind of movie it is from beginning to end. Sure, there are more emotional moments, but the movie can't be all laughs, all the time. It finds a good balance without ever losing its identity.

It's also surprisingly touching — you might even cry.

As mentioned, "Guardians" isn't all about the laughs. It also packs a surprising emotional punch.

The movie begins with a young Peter Quill (the future Star-Lord, played by Pratt) witnessing his mother pass away in a hospital room from cancer. And it ends with a gut-wrenching but sweet sacrifice by Groot, who protects the rest of the Guardians from death as the villain Ronan's ship crashes. Don't tell me you didn't cry at "We are Groot."

It's the most re-watchable movie in the MCU.

For the humor, the hidden Easter eggs, and even a sequel that adds depth to the first film's story, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is the most re-watchable movie of any in the MCU.

I find that I can, and want to, watch "Guardians" again and again. It's just an all-around fun movie, and I never grow tired of it.

Its sequel, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," also adds an extra depth to the first movie that makes repeat viewings even more interesting. It reveals that Star-Lord's real father gave his mother the brain tumor that killed her. Star-Lord's parentage is a central mystery of the first film, and everything is revealed in the sequel. That means watching the original, knowing what is revealed in "Vol. 2," makes for a different and worthwhile experience.

And finally ... that soundtrack.

Sure, Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack for "Black Panther." But the "Awesome Mix" of classic songs that make up the soundtrack for "Guardians of the Galaxy" is hard to beat, and it actually plays a role in the movie's story.

A tape player is one of the only possessions Star-Lord still has from Earth, and he listens to his "Awesome Mix" throughout the film — and so do we. It's a collection of catchy classic hits, from "Hooked on a Feelin'" to "I Want You Back," and they're expertly in-sync with the movie without ever being gimmicky.

Good luck getting it out of your head.