Product Info

Studio

Marvel Studios

Director

James Gunn

Genre

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Rated

PG-13

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

May 5, 2023

Film Length

2hr 30min

Purchase From

The following review contains minor spoilers for the film.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the latest entry in the trilogy of Guardians of the Galaxy films and is the last time fans will see the main characters on the same screen. Vol. 3 is a fun ride from the beginning, though its ending isn’t as smooth. However, it’s still worth riding with the Guardians of the Galaxy once more.

Let’s Rewind

If you cannot remember the events of 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, you’ll want to do a quick rewatch to become familiar with Ayesha, played by Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, Peter Rabbit), High Priestess of the Sovereign, a genetically engineered race of gold-skinned super-people. Also, there’s the tease of a powerful foe named Adam Warlock, played by Will Poulter (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Maze Runner).

Those who haven’t at least watched Avengers Infinity War and Endgame will want to do so before watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. For example, Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana (Avatar: The Way of Water, Star Trek), and her history play a big role in how the story flows in Vol. 3. However, the story is more about everyone’s favorite talking racoon, Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, A Star is Born).

History of Rocket

Rocket is one of the most popular characters (next to Groot) with his high intelligence and snarky, comical personality. In this film, Rocket takes more of a backseat, thanks to a surprise attack from Adam Warlock. However, his presence still leaves a mark throughout as Rocket’s allies go to extreme lengths to save their friend within 48 hours.

In-between scenes of the countdown plot, the film tells the origin story of Rocket in a series of flashbacks. Additionally, this introduces the film’s villain, High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji (John Wick: Chapter 2, Designated Survivor). The audience will finally get to know Rocket more, along with his tragic past.

In these flashbacks, be prepared for quite a bit of animal cruelty. Seeing Rocket’s friends from his past with mechanical parts and then their final outcome is quite sad. Once the film shows how Rocket escapes the facility, that’s all there is with his backstory. It’s too bad the audience doesn’t get to see how Rocket and his fellow tree-friend Groot meet.

Move Aside, Golden Boy

Like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Ayesha and Adam Warlock are given lesser roles than what the end of Vol. 2 originally portrayed. Instead, Ayesha and Adam’s creator, High Evolutionary, steps in to try and create the perfect being. Also, he’s very obsessed with capturing Rocket. If you’re expected some Adam Warlock screen time, it’s not much in this film unfortunately.

High Evolutionary is considered a fearful person that no one dares to poke, except for the Guardians of the Galaxy. In order to save Rocket, Peter Quill/Star-Lord, played by Chris Pratt (Jurassic World, The Super Mario Bros. Movie), Drax, played by Dave Bautista (Blade Runner 2049, Riddick), Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff (Oldboy, Thunder Force), Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel (The Fast and the Furious, Riddick), and Nebula, played by Karen Gillan (Jumanji: The Next Level, Selfie), will do whatever it takes to save their friend.

Each of their personalities are different and feed off each other, making the film enjoyable like its predecessors. Drax’s low intelligence and random sayings that drive Mantis up the wall are as great as ever. Also, despite his depression in the beginning of the film, Peter Quill is soon back as the sarcastic guy who makes Nebula and Gamora roll their eyes in disbelief. Those who enjoyed the Guardians of the Galaxy and their appearances in other Marvel films will be glad to see these characters on the big screen once more. Unlike 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder and their brief appearance in it, you won’t be disappointed.

The film also brings in additional enjoyable characters such as the astronaut dog, Cosmo, voiced by Maria Bakalova (The Bubble, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). This unique dog adds more comic relief and helpful powers to help save the day.

Rough Landing

The film’s flow from the start paces itself very well and gives the story time to grow. From Peter’s depression over losing Gamora to saving Rocket’s life, it’s a fun experience. It felt more active and action-packed than Vol. 2. There were a couple spots where the film felt like it slowed down too much, but it was able to quickly get back into its normal rhythm when the action started happening again.

After experiencing the climax of the final battle with the High Evolutionary, the film begins to descend at a steady speed. There were a few surprising moments along the way that could have caused a shake-up to the Marvel Universe, but the approach the director, James Gunn, took felt appropriate and satisfying as the long battle ended. However, once everything seemed honkey dory, it was a snap of a finger before everything started to come off the rails at the very end.

Because this was the last film for the Guardians of the Galaxy, it felt like the film had to do something quick to send the characters off in their own directions. Still, some members wanting to do their own thing after experiencing the latest battle felt like it came out of nowhere. There were some hints along the way between Mantis and Peter, but for everyone else, it felt abrupt and too quick of a conclusion. It would have worked better had they seeded the idea for the other characters earlier.

Turn Up the Zune

Like the other Guardians of the Galaxy films, Vol. 3 carries over popular tracks from the late 1970s to the 2000s, such as “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” by Alice Cooper and “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” by the Beastie Boys. That said, do expect classic tracks used in previous films, such as “Come and Get Your Love” by Redone, to make an appearance. Outside the vocal tracks, the film’s original orchestrated scores during a few action scenes and between transitions are well done.

The audio played through the film is quite interesting. A few of the vocal tracks played through speakers are based on their location in the film. For example, there’s a set of outdoor speakers playing these vocal tracks, and the sound is muffled when the film focuses on the goings-on inside a building. It gives a realistic feel for how audio is played as part of the movie instead of as a tool for just the audience.

The film’s camera shots are also well done. As the Guardians jump through space in their mission to save Rocket, the camera is set from the ground and tilted up to give the action a more dynamic feel. Additionally, many shots when in space are spun in a circular motion—not just once but many times. At first, it was interesting, but as the camera kept spinning while you saw your favorite Guardians in space, it started to get a bit nauseating.

The Final Goodbye

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a fun ride that’s more entertaining than the second volume. That said, the way it sends off its characters at the end undercuts an otherwise great journey. Even so, it’s still worth watching for you Guardian fans. Come and get your love.

An early screening provided for this review. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 now playing in theaters. Fans can visit the film’s official Marvel website for more information.