Character Is Story Is Plot

One does not supercede the other, both entwine to inscribe the meaning of a work.

James Gunn, writer/director of Guardians of the Galaxy was asked on Twitter whether he prioritizes story or character during a first draft. He answers:

I mostly don't think of those as two separate things. The story and plot are manifestations of a character's change.

Lovely. No wonder everyone loved the film as much as they did. His intention was to create a work hat encapsulated the process of a character growing Of course, they would have loved it more had there been a fully developed Relationship Throughline--but really who's complaining? Story is character is plot is story. Anything less is generally not worth watching.