In the spirit of those props that grab our attention and won't let go, I would like to introduce the first installment of my new ongoing feature here at the Propsmith blog: Top Props.
Once or twice a week I will be highlighting the best props from a TV Show or movie currently gracing our screens. If we hit a period of high prop awesomeness, you'll probably see this feature a little more often. If we hit a dry spell, then I'll do some Top Props Throwback posts, and cover some awesome classic props.
So I thought to myself: what better movie to kick this thing off than the best movie currently in theaters? Of course I am referring to
And, of course, one of the best things about this movie are the incredible props. And there are a LOT. In fact, I found it hard to pick just a few Top Props to be my favorites. And here are the ones that came out on top:
1) The Orb
And while, yeah, it might just be a metal ball, that little metal ball is with us through damn near the entirety of the movie, first appearing in the first present-day scene. It seems like an analogue to the Fertility Idol at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark; a lost artifact who's acquisition sets up the character of our chief protagonist as he deals with the difficulties and consequences of that acquisition.
And that analogy holds true, to a point. The difference is that Harrison Ford never starred in a movie called "Raiders of the Lost Fertility Idol." The Orb sets up Star-Lord's character quite nicely and then goes on to propel the entire rest of the movie and bring our ensemble cast together.
But that's all script. That has nothing to do with why it's a great prop. So I'll explain what I love about it, eh? First, as a ball that holds a powerful object, it could have been a lot simpler. Case in point: the Stone's holder (and its troll-bearing twin) from the end of the movie. Functional and clear of function, but not too remarkable. The Orb, on the other hand, is ornate--almost organic in texture--and features a pattern that at first appears to be random, but upon closer inspection is shown to be more like a three-dimensional Rorschach test. Looking closer still, the black areas aren't just etched away, but there is a clear second layer underneath, featuring its own unique texture. The detail and richness of texture on this piece make it difficult to stop looking at. And that's when it's still closed.
Eventually, the orb is opened. Sadly, the CGI effects of the Infinity Stone spewing power everywhere mask some of the deeper detail of the opened orb. Luckily for you, James Gunn posted a nice picture of the opened prop that now presumably lives on his desk:
All told, I love this prop. Even if it never opened, the rich design and detail on the outside is enough to make me want to keep looking at it. Add the amazing level of detail and complexity to the interior and you've got a piece of cinematic prop gold that I think a lot of people will be admiring for a long time.
2) Star-Lord's Guns
What really sets these apart from most movie guns is that they're not built around an existing gun. From Han Solo's very recognizable Mauser to the very well-concealed mix of a Carter Arms Bulldog and Steyr-Mannlicher .222 rifle used in Blade Runner, Sci-Fi weapons built around real past-or-present Earth weapons is the norm for movie guns. Star-Lord's guns are clearly designed and built from the ground up to exist in their own corner of the galaxy, far from any Earth tech*.
Sadly, like the Orb, the full awesomeness of these props wasn't even seen on-screen. The hero props were designed with internal LEDs and had a servo-controlled firing mechanism that made the firing nozzle simultaneously spin and stab forward and backwards, as well as having a mechanically-opening housing. Why these functions didn't make it onscreen isn't completely clear, but one can hope we'll get to see them in their full glory when Guardians 2 rolls around.
3) Drax's Knives
Drax's knives (or daggers, if you prefer) are a different matter altogether. Aside from being beautifully crafted, these knives seem more dangerous than the most barbed, saw-toothed or hook-ended knife while being incredibly sleek looking. Possessed by Drax, they also act as an extension of the character himself. Driven by his thirst for vengeance, the knives are like appendages evolved specifically to fulfill that purpose. The design of the knives reflects that viewpoint, as well: The handles look organic, almost like something grown rather than manufactured. The blade, while not organic in appearance, has an etched design inlaid with red, providing a clear link to the skin of the man wielding it. These things have a sense of history, purpose and most of all: style.