This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OwnTheGalaxy #CollectiveBias

One of my all-time favorite movies came out this past year and it was Guardians of the Galaxy. I loved everything about this movie including the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, which is one that we play often around my house. I have a pretty unique experience with this movie and that is why I love it so much. I was lucky enough to attend a press tour in California to see the movie weeks before anyone else. I also had the opportunity to meet the cast and interview them. I got to shake hands with Drax, Dave Bautista, and sing with Groot, Vin Diesel. It was amazing and I couldn’t stop talking about it when I returned home. Which was good because my kids kept asking me all about the movie and their favorite character, Baby Groot. They just love the Baby Groot dancing clip. I am once again excited because tomorrow Guardians of the Galaxy is being released on Blu-Ray/DVD/HD and I can #OwnTheGalaxy. You can order the movie, soundtrack, toys and so many other Guardians of the Galaxy products through the Walmart website.

Educating my kids on Guardians of the Galaxy and 80’s Pop Culture so that if one day they should see the movie – of course they will, they are my kids – then they will get the jokes.

My kids are well versed on all things Guardians of the Galaxy. My daughter was interested in learning all about each character. Her favorite character is Gamora because Gamora is the female character – she told me this. She asked specifically for the Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set from Disney Infinty 2.0 for her birthday because it had Gamora. I actually find that Gamora is a good character for her to like because she is a strong female character with a good moral compass even though she was raised to be an evil killer. Gamora is on this road to redemption for the evil that she did in her life. Despite her upbringing she still finds a way to be compassionate and rise above what she was raised to be. When I interviewed Zoe Saldana, who plays Gamora, she explained her motivations in approaching the role and how she brought so much from the real world into the character. It was fascinating and important. She brought passion and authenticity to the role which truly reflects in her performance.

The Guardians of the Galaxy movie comes out on Blu-Ray/DVD/HD tomorrow all over, but at Walmart they have a special version of the movie with a few very cool extras. Features for the Walmart Blu-Ray/DVD/HD are Exclusive Character O-sleeve and exclusive music zinepack and a 64-page magazine with cast and crew interviews, exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and trivia PLUS a custom “cassette” laptop decal. I don’t usually go in for all the extras but with this movie I’ve tried to get my hands on pretty much everything that I could so I’ll be picking up this particular version. I’ve also picked up many other things and that includes tons of toys.

With the holidays right around the corner it is a great time to find good deals on fun toys. There are many different Guardians of the Galaxy toys to choose from, too. You can start with 2.5 inch figures like the ones in the Milano vehicle above and go up to 12 inch action figures and even a Big Blasting Rocket Raccoon figure that has a honking huge gun that spins and lights up while making sounds and spouting phrases from the movie. Those are just the action figures and not even all of them, mind you. There is an elite set of action figures called Marvel Legends Infinite series which is made up of six different highly articulated figures. When you collect each of them you can assemble a seventh figure, which is Groot. The characters in that series include: Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Drax as well as Iron Man and Nova. Those last two characters who have worked with the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics from time to time. It is also of interest to note that in the Disney Infinity 2.0 game, specifically the Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set, Iron Man and Nova are both characters that can be used with that Play Set because they are crossover characters.

Speaking of Disney Infinity 2.0 if you haven’t yet purchased a Rocket, Drax or Groot Figure then you really should between 12/7 and 12/13 because the cashier should give you a $5.00 Walmart gift card instantly. I went and bought my figures as soon as they were released because I really wanted to play with them in the Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set. The Play Set is fun and it is another great way to continue to be excited for the movie. It is also a way to connect with my kids about Guardians of the Galaxy. They are still too young to actually see the movie themselves but they can play the game or watch me play it, in the case of my son who is not playing video games, yet. It gives me one more way to introduce the kids to these characters.

I purchased some Guardians of the Galaxy toys to share with the kids and also for my own collection. As I stated earlier there are many toys to choose from and they would make excellent Christmas gifts. I’ve bought some and received from for different reasons including as an attendee of that amazing press trip all centered around Guardians of the Galaxy. That is where I got the sweet Guardians of the Galaxy box in the picture. I came home from that trip with the Battle FX Star-Lord 12 inch figure that plays phrases from the movie in Chris Pratt’s own voice. I learned about that toy back at Toy Fair in February even before I learned I was going on that press trip and I knew I had to have one of those. The toy is awesome! I even got to interview Chris Pratt during that press trip, but I digress.

I ended up with some doubles and so you see some toys still in boxes. Well, I have plenty of toys and my kids have plenty of toys so we are donating a bunch of Guardians of the Galaxy toys to a local charity called Christmas is for Kids. I firmly believe that no kid should go without a toy on Christmas. That is why we make a donation every year, a combination of toys from different sponsored shopping trips and toys that we purchase ourselves with money we put aside throughout the year. With Guardians of the Galaxy being such a hot movie this year there will be some very happy kids opening their gifts.

So, who else will be hitting their local Walmart tomorrow to get their own copy of Guardians of the Galaxy? Will you be getting the Blu-Ray Combo pack like me or maybe the DVD version or maybe even one of those special Blue-Ray packs that are embossed with one of the five Guardians. If that is the case, who are you going to choose, Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket or Groot?