Peter Quill and his devoted band of lovable misfits return to the big screen for one final time to prove that the Guardians are not about to wrap up this trilogy without the most epic intergalactic firefight of their lives!
James Gunn demonstrates once again how much he enjoys jumping into these films and crafting beautiful character-driven stories that have the power to resonate with audiences. The MCU might’ve gone somewhat stagnant, given the large number of titles released or in post-production almost every year, but the Phase Two feature films are still enjoyable to watch on a typical summer blockbuster run.
In Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, we find our heroes navigating through the mysterious depths of Knowhere until things quickly take a nasty turn for the worst just as they’re about to settle down. Quill and his long-time space comrades are swiftly ambushed by Adam Warlock (played by Will Poulter), a bio-engineered superhuman being dispatched by the Sovereign and their leader Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) to hunt down and eliminate the Guardians in retaliation for previously stealing an item in their last encounter. Rocket is severely injured to the point of comatose during the ambush, leaving the remaining Guardians unable to treat his wounds due to a deadly killswitch embedded in him by Rocket’s original creator, the High Evolutionary.
After being reunited with a reluctant Gamora from an alternate timeline, and with the help of the Ravagers, the Guardians embark on a hazardous mission through space in search of an override code by infiltrating Orgoscope, the highly secure headquarters of the High Evolutionary’s company Orgocorp.
The central plot as well as the overall tone of the film are undoubtedly the most emotional, dramatic, and thought-provoking of the trilogy.
Whether you’re viewing this movie for fun with your weekend buddies or to catch up on the current MCU timeline, you can’t deny that Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is one of the most moving and poignant films produced this year.
What genuinely makes this film stand out from the previous installments is that the story is very much character-driven, with the spotlight now focusing on Rocket and his traumatic past life. This is likely the last time we’ll see these beloved characters battle side by side on the big screen, hence it’s only fair to tie up loose ends and bring some much-needed closure by exploring Rocket’s compelling yet complicated backstory.
As always, with every new superhero sequel, the regular main cast is joined by some fresh blood creating an even more outstanding star-studded ensemble, particularly when it comes to the film’s primary antagonist.
This time the Guardians are opposed by the High Evolutionary (portrayed by Chukwudi Iwuji) – a remorseless and sadistic scientist obsessed with creating and perfecting hybrid animals, which includes Rocket’s own genetic engineering.
The MCU is no stranger to establishing power-hungry extraterrestrial villains, but the High Evolutionary character has layers of depth that make his actions feel relatively human and grounded to some extent.
The character of the High Evolutionary may not be as well-known or popular outside of the general comic book fandom, but actor Chukwudi Iwuji brings life to his performance by injecting a certain level of grace, charm, and eloquence into his role, resulting in a commanding presence in each scene he appears in.
Despite the character of Adam Warlock occasionally being hinted at throughout the preceding MCU films, it’s actor Will Poulter who finally brings him to life on the big screen by delivering a robust yet nuanced performance worthy of a special shout-out.
Poulter once again proves his versatility by consistently demonstrating his acting chops ranging from serious drama to commercial blockbusters, and his banger of an opening in the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is no exception.
Other major characters who play a prominent role that helps serve the story in this epic concluding chapter include the returning Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), the High Priestess of the Sovereign people, and Adam Warlock’s mother. Due to the introduction of Warlock and his subsequent character development throughout the film, Debicki reinvents her role by portraying a more dynamic and maternal figure.
The Guardian films aren’t known for their somber moments, but this latest installment is a densely layered tearjerker beneath the CGI-rich surface. It’ll occasionally make you forget you’re watching a superhero film in favor of being immersed inside a serious drama film grounded with a ton of emotional weight.
The trilogy’s signature slapstick comedy, witty dialogue, 80’s throwback flair, and overall humor took a back seat in this action-packed installment, allowing the picture to stand on its own with a fresh perspective.
Director James Gunn went out of his way and pulled out all the guns (no pun intended) to ensure that his reportedly final Guardians film and this massive space opera of an adventure series receive a satisfying curtain call for all popcorn-loving movie buffs.
Now, it’s not fair to the hungry blockbuster cinephiles to review a big-budget MCU movie without mentioning those larger-than-life eye-popping CGI surrounding every action sequence, whether it’s the usual close-quarters battle or the show stopping massive climatic explosion.
The film’s stunning visual effects are beautifully rendered down to the last stroke of the paintbrush, creating a colorful and immersive cosmic world that just keeps expanding into an even bigger sandbox for new characters to leap into.
The film’s soundtrack is another highlight, continuing the trend of featuring classic American rock songs from the 1970s and 1980s pop music. If you find yourself hooked on a classic rock tune looping endlessly inside your head after watching the movie and heading home and jamming to it on repeat through Spotify, you know who to thank.
The film is not without its flaws, however. From a narrative sense, the overall story could have shed some light onto the long-standing mutual relationship between Rocket and Groot before the events of the first film. Perhaps a flashback montage of their past adventures should’ve been explored to some extent, bringing greater context, closure, and finality to Rocket’s story arc.
All things considered, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 proved to be a satisfying and heartfelt conclusion to a highly entertaining trilogy that balances humor, action, emotion, and spectacle. These iconic characters went through a turbulent journey that saw their individual stories fleshed out over the course of a 10 years, mirroring the real-life natural chemistry and growth shared by the main cast.
Aside from the cosmic chaos, the film delves deep into topics like family, identity, redemption, forgiveness, and sacrifice. If you appreciate movies that allow you to form a strong connection with the story, its characters, and relatable themes that resonate with you on a personal level, Guardians 3 is worth checking out on your cinema radar.