Buzz
The movie wasn't highly anticipated before its release, but exceptional word-of-mouth and superior film quality have nearly led Marvel to a successful 'comeback' with this third installment.
After 6 years of waiting, fans finally get to enjoy the next journey of the Guardians of the Galaxy in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'. James Gunn treats the audience to one of the most visually stunning, emotionally charged, and healing superhero movies on the big screen.
The storyline of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' continues events from the prequel The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) as the Guardians settle down on Knowhere. They also welcome a new member, Cosmo the dog (Maria Bakalova). However, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) - the son of the Sovereign's High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) - unexpectedly attacks, leaving Rocket (Bradley Cooper voicing) severely injured.
Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Groot (Vin Diesel voicing), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) must team up with Gamora (Zoe Saldana) to reconnect with their past and save the lives of their close comrades. Thus, they confront the antagonist High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) and learn about Rocket's heartbreaking story.
Rocket's tragic and healing past
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' unfolds two parallel stories revolving around the journey to rescue Rocket by the Guardians and his origin. It turns out that the once ruthless and unyielding mercenary was once a weak and gentle raccoon. Rocket becomes an inhumane experiment to create the perfect species by the High Evolutionary.
He also has his first friends: the otter Lylla (Linda Cardellini), the seal Teefs (Asim Chaudhry), and the rabbit Floor (Mikaela Hoover). They are all creatures with bizarre appearances created by the High Evolutionary, but inside, they possess innocent, pure souls, dreaming of one day seeing the sky of a new world as promised.
James Gunn skillfully constructs adorable friendships among the outcasts, Rocket's vulnerability, Floor's boundless energy, or Teefs' foolishness. When disaster strikes, viewers easily shed tears for the sorrows they face. It turns out, every creature craves love, friendship, or belonging somewhere.
Despite their grotesque, fearsome, or even monstrous appearances like the Abilisk, they all have emotions, thoughts of their own. Eventually, fans can rest assured as Rocket faces his past and sheds the pain he has endured for so long. He also finds his true family - those who are willing to risk their lives and defy all odds with the raccoon from birth to death.
The Guardians' journey to maturity
From 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014), James Gunn deliberately crafted the Guardians of the Galaxy team as a 'circus troupe' with characters from all walks of life reluctantly working together to save the universe. Throughout the films, they fight together many times but also argue and joke around. However, it's not until 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' that the new members have the chance to reflect on themselves.
If 'Avengers: Endgame' was the journey into the past of the original Avengers, this blockbuster plays a similar role with the Guardians. Each one has the chance to explore themselves through previous films, revealing their personalities, strengths, and shining moments. The film still carries James Gunn's characteristic humor. However, the predominant color shifts to contemplation and deep emotions.
Following the events of 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018), which left half the universe in chaos and Gamora's death, Peter Quill becomes more subdued. He steps up as a team leader, assigning tasks to each member and devising plans to confront unexpected enemies. Peter also realizes he has another family on Earth that he has forgotten over the years.
Drax is typically the team's comedic relief with the most foolish remarks. But in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, he surpasses himself several times. Deep down, Drax remains a father who lost his wife and daughter in Ronan's invasion and desires a new home.
Mantis remains an innocent, trusting girl, always providing emotional support to her teammates. However, she learns to stand up for herself and protect others instead of silently enduring insults. Her 'bug' powers are not limited to just assistance but can also unleash powerful attacks. Nebula, once a ruthless killing machine, hot-headed, realizes her own reasons for living.
Adam Warlock is a promising addition to the Guardians team with his immense power and childlike personality offering many avenues for future exploration. High Evolutionary is an evil genius with twisted thinking and unwavering cruelty. He remains unmoved or repentant in the face of superheroes' reasoning.
Fans not only relive old memories from previous films but also witness the characters' journey to maturity after 9 years together on the big screen. Farewells are therefore more complete and touching as this is the last time the first-generation Guardians stand together in a frame or fight side by side.
The visuals, sound, and special effects are top-notch
'Guardians of the Galaxy' is known for its excellent soundtrack spanning different decades, curated by James Gunn himself. This blockbuster is no exception, treating the audience to a series of cool tracks like 'Since You Been Gone' or 'We Care a Lot'... Each song serves its own purpose to enhance the drama, excitement, or melancholy of the scenes.
The action element extends throughout the film, with intense fight sequences of the Guardians that keep the pace dynamic. The film maintains a distinct style from the rest of the MCU, with each action segment being visually stunning and featuring violent finishing moves. Especially, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' includes many meticulously choreographed one-shot scenes with unique camera angles showcasing the Guardians' seamless cooperation in battle.
The film's visual effects are also a highlight, with VFX experts not rushing to meet deadlines. The images of Rocket, Floor, or Lylla appear lifelike down to every strand of fur and the expression in their watery eyes. The Bowie spaceship is intricately crafted, and the large-scale space battles bring spectacular explosion scenes with devastating destruction.
Overall, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' is one of the best superhero films in the MCU and the brightest spot in Phase 4. The film combines entertainment and emotion, serving as a tribute to the Guardians of the Galaxy.
After the first week of release, the film grossed nearly $300 million globally, setting a record for the franchise and surpassing the opening numbers of Marvel's previous films like 'Ant-man 3' or 'Black Panther 2'. The film wasn't highly anticipated before its release, but excellent word-of-mouth and superior quality have helped Marvel achieve almost a miraculous success with this third installment.
