Here’s our review for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” which serves as James Gunn’s swan song to Marvel as he prepares to sprinkle his same kind of magic over the DC film universe…
By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer
It’s safe to say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a little uneven in the aftermath of the events that unfolded in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
Now that certainly doesn’t mean there hasn’t been some quality films — “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was perhaps one of the best movies of 2021 — but the interconnectivity between the movies has been hard to follow at times and the storytelling can best be described as good but not exactly memorable. Many of the previous Marvel movies stuck with you for weeks, months and sometimes even years later but Kevin Feige’s track record for producing the best comic book movies ever made has taken a few dings lately.
Thankfully, James Gunn arrived just in time to right the ship just before he peaces out to officially start his new job as co-CEO running the DC film and television universe at Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” opens in theaters on Friday with the understanding that this will be Gunn’s final film with Marvel with many of the actors — most notably Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista — saying this will be their last appearance in the MCU as well. It’s a bittersweet goodbye considering Gunn somehow made us all adore characters that about 99 percent of the world had never heard of prior to 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” being released.
These days characters like Star-Lord, Gamora, Nebula, Drax, Rocket Raccoon and a living tree called Groot have become household names and that’s all thanks to Gunn’s visionary take on three “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies.
Even before Gunn took his new job at DC, he had already stated that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” would be his final take on these particular characters because he never intended on going beyond a trilogy. Based on how this film plays out over two and a half hours, Gunn poured his heart and soul into the final chapter with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” serving as arguably his best movie to date.
By the time this film is finished, which includes two post credits scenes for anyone curious, you’ll begin to understand why DC headhunted Gunn to take over the company because their gain will most certainly be a tremendous loss for Marvel.
With that said, let’s get to our full review for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”…
PLOT
Outside of a brief and forgettable appearance in the truly terrible “Thor: Love and Thunder,” the Guardians haven’t really shown up since the events of “Avengers: Endgame” so this is really where the story picks up again.
The Guardians have relocated to Knowhere — the severed head of a Celestial that was transformed into a space port for all sorts of scum and villainy that initially appeared in the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie. The Guardians have taken it upon themselves to transform this place into a safe haven for all those who need a home, including this rag-tag group of space marauders.
That barely includes Peter Quill, however, because he spends most of his days slumped over a bar stool, half-soused from whatever alcoholic swill he can stomach as he continues to lament his lost love after his Gamora died — and then a time-displaced Gamora showed up from the past but sadly she wants nothing to do with him (or the Guardians for that matter).
But just as the group starts putting the finishing touches on some local establishments, the Guardians are attacked by a powerful entity we’ll later learn is Adam Warlock — the creation of the Sovereign that was teased back in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” — but he’s not there seeking vengeance. Instead, it turns out Adam Warlock is acting under the orders of a world creating and often times world destroying entity known as the High Evolutionary — and he has ties to one particular member of the Guardians named Rocket Raccoon.
It seems the High Evolutionary has spent years trying to create the perfect creatures to inhabit a utopian society. He needs Rocket to help fulfill his ultimate dream and he’ll do anything or kill anyone stupid enough to stand in his way — including the Guardians of the Galaxy.
ACTING, DIRECTING AND SCRIPT
As if it hasn’t been stated enough already, Gunn deserves all the praise in the world for this third film in the “Guardians” series because it really is the best of the bunch. Now that’s not to say the other “Guardians of the Galaxy” films were lacking — actually this has been one of the most consistent series across the entire MCU — but this final chapter in the trilogy is everything you could possibly want out of a film like this.
Perhaps the most surprising part about “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is the somber tone that permeates the entire film, which is somewhat surprising given the almost jovial nature in this series. From the opening scene set to the sounds of an acoustic version of “Creep” by Radiohead, the mood in this film is far gloomier than any other movie Gunn has made by Marvel and that’s clearly by design.
Now make no mistake there are still plenty of laughs to be had in this movie — this isn’t Zack Snyder’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” — but there’s a good chance you’ll roll some tears during this movie and that’s honestly a little unexpected. Actually this film will tug at your heartstrings several times so bring a couple of tissues with you when you sit down in the theater.
The script for this film, which was also written by Gunn, doesn’t feel bloated whatsoever because every single scene and interaction is necessary to the larger story that unfolds. The dialogue is heartfelt, funny and even at times a little terrifying, especially where the High Evolutionary is concerned.
That shifts us to the performances where Chukwudi Iwuji — who many will remember from Gunn’s equally impressive “Peacemaker” series — takes center stage as the villain in this movie.
If there’s been one glaring issue in some past Marvel films, it’s that the villains have almost been forgettable at times — trust me, you don’t remember the bad guy’s name in the first “Doctor Strange” movie so don’t even pretend otherwise — but that’s certainly not the case with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
Iwuji’s performance as the High Evolutionary is arguably on par some of the most deliciously wicked villains in Marvel film and television history — a status he claims alongside names such as Josh Brolin, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Bruhl and Vincent D’Onofrio. The High Evolutionary is particularly cruel and his actions are malevolent and Iwuji portrays him with surgical precision because one step too far in this character could almost make him cartoonish, but that never happens in this film.
Credit must also be paid to Chris Pratt, who gives his most emotional performance to date in this film because you really start to feel his pain when it comes to losing Gamora. Sure, there’s still a Gamora in this new unblipped universe but she’s not the one who fell in love with a goofy Earthling who calls himself Star-Lord and that might be the worst torture possible for this lovestruck, sad sack.
The rest of the cast is also stellar with a special nod to Karen Gillan, who really finds a way to give a nuanced performance as Nebula in this movie. This team has really found a rhythm together in this third film — it’s just sad knowing this particular band won’t be holding a reunion any time soon (if ever again).
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE MOVIE?
By no means is this actually a criticism but rather a warning — “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is a very dark film at certain moments, which will probably surprise some moviegoers. This film is not nearly as lighthearted as past installments — the subject matter is rather heavy and knowing that this is Gunn’s final film, all bets are off on who might survive to those last post credits scenes.
That said, the emotional weight that this film carries is part of the reason why “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” works on so many different levels. It’s fun yet still bleak. It’s action-packed but meticulous in all the best ways during scenes with nothing much more than dialogue between the characters.
Gunn really poured out his heart and soul into this movie and it shows.
FINAL VERDICT
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” might just be one of the best Marvel movies ever made — it’s definitely at the top of this trilogy and all three movies were actually outstanding. As cliché as it might sound, this movie will make you laugh, make you cry and in the end, make you wish Gunn was doing more of these movies but it seems Marvel’s loss will be DC’s gain.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” gets five out of five on the Skolnick Scale:
