In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we rejoin the team, now residing in Knowhere, a city nestled within the skull of a colossal celestial being. Star Lord (Chris Pratt) is shown grappling with the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) from the events of Avengers: Infinity War. Their relative peace is disrupted by the arrival of Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). During their confrontation, Rocket (Bradley Cooper) sustains critical injuries for which conventional medical treatments prove ineffective. The Guardians soon realize that the key to saving Rocket lies in revisiting his origins. Simultaneously, the formidable and malevolent The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) pursues Rocket, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation where the fate of many hangs in the balance, presenting the Guardians of the Galaxy with their most significant challenge to date.
The Guardians of the Galaxy films have consistently ranked as personal favorites within the MCU. The original film remains a standout achievement, and while the sequel may not have reached the same heights, it remains a strong entry. However, recent MCU releases, following the impressive Spider-Man: No Way Home, have been underwhelming, suffering from weak scripts, inconsistent direction, and visual effects reminiscent of early 2000s video game cutscenes. Consequently, I approached Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with a degree of apprehension.
Emerging from the theater two and a half hours later, two thoughts were immediately apparent. First, James Gunn has revitalized the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Second, Disney’s decision to allow Gunn to helm projects within the DC universe may prove to be a strategic misstep. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 delivers on the elements that have been notably absent in recent Marvel films, particularly a well-structured script. While the overarching plot may be straightforward, Gunn skillfully develops Rocket’s backstory, fostering a strong connection between the audience and a fully CGI character. This film elicited a level of emotional investment rarely experienced while watching a Marvel production. Furthermore, the film introduces the antagonist, The High Evolutionary, portrayed masterfully by Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker). Iwuji strikes a perfect balance between theatricality and genuine menace, making this villain a far more compelling presence than Jonathan Majors’ rather static portrayal of Kang.
Rocket remains the film’s central figure, and the scenes depicting his interactions with his newfound companions – other genetically modified animals – are exceptionally well-crafted and emotionally resonant. Bradley Cooper, alongside James Gunn’s brother Sean, deserve recognition for their contributions in bringing Rocket to life, supported by a team of visual effects artists. The audience will quickly suspend disbelief and fully engage with the character, despite his being a CGI raccoon.
James Gunn excels at creating empathy for unconventional characters (as demonstrated by his success in making audiences care for the giant starfish in The Suicide Squad!) and at writing genuinely humorous scenes. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 elicited more audible laughter from me than almost any recent film. Furthermore, in contrast to my complaints about the visual effects in recent Marvel entries, the effects in this film are polished and convincing, avoiding the artificial or flat appearance that has been a distraction in the past.
As previously mentioned, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is exceptionally funny; however, the humor occasionally becomes somewhat excessive, with certain jokes, particularly those involving the character Drax (Dave Bautista), being repeated more than necessary. Additionally, the film presupposes that viewers have seen the Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special available on Disney+, as a significant revelation from that special is treated as common knowledge within the narrative of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, considering it a pivotal film that reignites my interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, previews of The Marvels, scheduled for release this fall, suggest a quality level comparable to the less successful Black Panther and Ant-Man films, indicating that this resurgence of quality within the MCU may be short-lived.
Experience Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in theaters; this is a blockbuster best appreciated on the big screen!
