Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an emotional end of an era and an excellent wrap to the trilogy. James Gunn knows how to go out in style and we’re not mad about it. Read on for our full Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Review.
(L-R): Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Karen Gillan as Nebula, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an Emotional End of an Era
Marvel Studios plays with our hearts in this emotional wrap of the trilogy, which brings tears and fun in this final ride as we learn about Rocket’s backstory. Yes, he is a raccoon, despite his protests otherwise. Rocket has always been an integral part of the Guardians of the Galaxy team, if not the star.
Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.
One of the other things Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 did well was touch on some relevant social topics such as animal experimentation and racial and class tensions (trigger warning for those of you who are animal lovers, make sure to have those tissues handy).
Baby Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.
The character arcs for these characters were brilliant. Seeing them grow from Vol. 1 through Vol. 2 and now Vol. 3 was lovely, and maybe some of the best character growth we’ve seen in a Marvel trilogy to date (and we’re big Peyton Reed fans so that’s saying a lot). It’s evident when a director falls in love with his work he cares, and it shows and carries through from start to finish.
Zoe Saldana as Gamora in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2023 MARVEL.
As expected and very James Gunn-style, the soundtrack was as epic as the journey we’ve been through. No sleep til Brooklyn, friends. If you’re a fan of Gunn’s soundtracks, you won’t be disappointed, especially with the carry-through from other films. Plan to grab this soundtrack as soon as it drops.
(L-R): Miriam Shor as Recorder Vim, Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary, and Nico Santos as Recorder Theel in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2023 MARVEL.
Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary was frighteningly evil in a way that’s nearly indescribable. The terror Iwuji instills as the High Evolutionary is brilliant and unsettling at the same time. The intensity Iwuji brings to the role is Oscar-worthy.
(L-R): Will Poulter as Adam Warlock in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2022 MARVEL.
Will Poulter as Warlock was a great introduction, though felt heavily like a throwaway after the build-up and excitement for comic fans after the credit intro in Vol, 1. We can only hope to see him again in the future.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Review
Is it the best Marvel film? No.
Is it even the best Guardians film? No. However, Excellent Easter eggs and cameos will keep the franchise and pop culture nuts happy even if Guardians isn’t your favorite storyline.
While it is CGI, the trigger warming above is no joke when it comes to the heavy storyline surrounding animal experimentation, which shows lots of animal torture in the process. The story could have been just as effective with 50% fewer of these scenes. It feels lazy and a dirty tactic used solely to play on our emotions. We get it; the High Evolutionary is a nasty guy.
Without spoilers, while we are on the topic of lazy, tidy little bows are also lazy. We don’t like them, and they feel like cheap, lazy story-writing tools. Yes, I said it.
Sean Gunn as Kraglin in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Post-Credits Scenes
For those end-credit scene/post-credit scene fans, know there are two to stay for.
Verdict
Overall Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a great end to the trilogy and a solid farewell to the Guardians team. Fans of the franchise won’t be sad and the music makes it an even better film.
About Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
In Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits is settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
Genre: Action-Adventure
Rating: PG-13, for intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive/drug references, and thematic elements
Runtime: 150 mins
Director: James Gunn
Producer: Kevin Feige
Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Simon Hatt, Sara Smith
Screenplay: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Maria Bakalova
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is in theatres May 5.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3. © 2022 MARVEL.
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