A team of once-ordinary humans morph into mutants with terrifyingly strong supernatural powers. Simultaneously, the world faces a threat of destruction that is unstoppable to the will of mere mortals, leaving these mutants to band together as Earth’s last hope. Sound familiar? Yes, it’s pretty much every superhero movie ever, but this tried and true plot has rarely looked as destructive, enthralling and downright shit-house insane as it does in Guardians, the upcoming Russian answer to the Marvel and DC franchise films.
Set during the Cold War, Russia faces some sort of armageddon-like threat from a mutant villain with a corded device attached to his head. The only thing to stop him are the Guardians, a badass array of Soviet saviors with a unique skill set of superpowers, which range from the ability to use deadly swords to controlling soil and rocks to turning into a freakishly large bear creature. Each of these heroes represent the various nationalities of the former USSR, and much of it (namely the bear) draw on iconoclastic imagery of Russian culture and folklore.
We were given a taste of these nutty superpowers in the film’s initial teaser, but the new official trailer is a veritable kaleidoscope of death and destruction, with buildings toppling every which way and an army of clones marching on Moscow. It may not be superheroes we’re familiar with, but we’re already hoping for a full franchise.
Guardians is set to release on February 23, 2017.
For superheroes you're more familiar with, check out this Batman cartoon featuring the return of Adam West.