Review: Disney’s lively ‘Guardians’ ride ushers in Marvel partnership

Hollywood stars, high-definition video, digital animation, classic pop songs and an animatronic raccoon have come together ingeniously this summer in Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout!, a new ride opening Saturday at the Disney California Adventure theme park.

The new free-fall elevator ride — a high-tech revamp of the Anaheim theme park’s former Hollywood Tower of Terror — arrives on the heels of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2,” a film sequel that has already raked in $750 million since its release on May 5.

The film’s stars — Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Benicio Del Toro, Dave Bautista and Bradley Cooper (who provides the voice of fiery-tempered Rocket Raccoon) — lent their talents to the new ride in high-definition videos that play both in the lobby and during the 2.5-minute ride.

This not only brings star wattage to the experience, but also embellishes the storytelling arc of the Guardians, a group of galactic bounty hunters and misfits who band together to fight space villains.

The bones of the old ride are the same: Riders walk through a decorated lobby and library to be seated in an elevator that carries them on a randomized flight up and down several stories of a 183-foot vertical tower. But now, every step of the journey is more technically dazzling.

The tower is now the fortress of Tivan the Collector, who gathers specimens of space creatures from across the galaxy for his private museum.

As in the movies, the ride’s lobby is filled with more than 20 glowing specimen cases containing weird creatures, galactic weapons and artifacts.

On a large video screen, queued-up riders will see the Collector (Del Toro) inviting guests inside to see his latest exhibit, the Guardians of the Galaxy, including Star-Lord (Pratt), green-skinned Gamora (Saldana), Rocket and baby Groot (a monosyllabic extraterrestrial tree sprout).

Things get fun in the library, where another video of Tivan is hijacked by a three-dimensional Rocket, who drops out of a ventilation shaft and explains his plan to short-circuit the tower wiring to free the other Guardians from their cases.

The ride itself is similar in length and speed, but the doors this time open on high-definition, all-new video scenes inspired by the movies and the experience is enhanced with upbeat pop music from the films.

There are six different versions of the video and movement tracks for the ride. All of them involved Rocket breaking out the Guardians and each includes some of the oldies that Star-Lord carries with him on an old-fashioned Walkman tape player, including Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.”

It’s an exhilarating journey that feels longer and more exciting than the previous version of the ride and a much more modern and immersive experience.

“The Guardians” ride is the first at the Disney parks dedicated to Marvel Comics superhero characters. But it may not be the last.

During remarks at the ride’s press opening Thursday night, Disney Parks chairman Bob Chapek said the Guardians ride is just the beginning of what could be a long and fruitful superhero partnership.

The gift shop at the new ride is filled with Marvel merchandise, including Thor’s hammer and Captain America gear. And Disney officials have cryptically implied that the park’s Hollywood Backlot area could soon be re-branded, perhaps with a Marvel theme?

In keeping with that, the ride’s public opening on Saturday will kick off the park’s Marvel-themed “Summer of Heroes” promotion, which runs through Sept. 10.

Park-goers entering the Hollywood Backlot will have the chance to interact with costumed superheroes, including a giant Groot, Captain America, Spider-Man and Black Widow. The Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! will be a rock ’n’ roll dance party featuring Star-Lord and his old-school boom box.

There will also be an Avengers Training Initiative, where Black Widow and Hawkeye will host an Avengers training academy for children.

Through the summer, themed superhero merchandise and food will also be sold in the Hollywood Backlot.

Across the way at Disneyland Park this summer, the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America attractions will reopen, including the nightly “Fantasmic!” show.

They’ve been temporarily closed due to major construction work on the park’s future Star Wars Land, which is set to open in 2019. Meanwhile, the recently launched limited return of the Main Street Electrical Parade continues through June 18.

Disney California Adventure Park, 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. disneyland.disney.go.com

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com