Guardians Trailer (2017)

Trailer for Guardians, aka Zashchitniki, starring Valeriya Shkirando, Anton Pampushnyy and Sanzhar Madiyev.

During the Cold War, an organization called "Patriot" created a super-hero squad, which includes members of multiple soviet republics. For years, the heroes had to hide their identities, but in hard times they must show themselves again.

It's time to meet the Guardians....

Ler, played by Sebatien Sisak, is a "Landman". His powers included the ability to manipulate earth. With this skill he can levitate rocks, create sink holes, start earthquakes and use rock as armor. Since he's so hooked on rock, his weapon of choice is a chain with a, you guessed it, rock at the end.

Arsus, played by Anton Pampushnly, is a "Wildman". He's the one that goes full CG Man-Bear(-Pig). Also known as a werebear, he is different from a werewolf as he can control his transformation and, if he chooses, only partially transform. As you can tell in the trailer, his weapon of choice is a minigun, though he can only carry the thing when in transformation.

Khan, played by Sanzhar Madiev, is a "Windman". This is the ninja-looking dude running around with those crazy looking blades. His weapon of choice, twin crescent blades, have the power to cut through cars. The blades cannot be damaged. His superpower is based around speed. Entering a meditative state, Khan can use his speed to send enemies flying. Top that off with his superhuman strength, and the Guardian can also smash through walls if he so chooses.

Xenia, as played by Alina Lanina, is a "Waterwoman". As you can see in the trailer, she has the ability to practically disappear. This is because of her superhuman gift to manipulate water. Not only can she control water, she also has the ability to integrate with water physically. Hence she can transform into a clear water, making her nearly invisible. She also can survive underwater without the need to come to surface for air.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but every trailer for Guardians can't help but remind me of the old(er) Night Watch trilogy. Maybe it's just the fact that their Russian. Or the heavy use of CG. Or the awesome fight sequences. Or the animal-morphing humans. Okay, so there is a lot of similarity here for me.

The latest trailer for Guardians looks batshit crazy. Unlike the first two teasers, that just throw audiences into the mix of visual effects, the full-length preview does a great job of providing some build-up. We get to meet the four Guardians individually, shortly before revealing the conflict that will bring these superhumans out of hiding.

It takes something special to get me to theaters for a limited foreign release, but 2017 might find me at my local (limited-release) cinema to get a viewing of Guardians.