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Adam Warlock, Drax, Gamora, Groot, Guardians of the Gaaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 review, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 review, High Evoloutionary, James Gunn, mantos, Marvel, MCU, Nebula, Rockert, Rocket
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
Review by Paul Bowler
Marvel’s oddball superhero team are back in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, and this time writer-director James Gunn goes for broke with an action packed spectacular that’s rich with emotional depth. It also sets in motion a reasonably satisfying finale for these fan-favourite characters who we have grown to know and love over their many appearances in the MCU. This blockbusting sequel catches up with the Guardians who have made their new HQ in the rebuilt Kowhere, a huge mining facility built inside a Celestial’s skull. Unusually, the film initially quite a somber tone, as some of the Guardians are in a somewhat reflective mood. The Guardians, comprising of : Peter Quill, otherwise known as Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), an easy-going manchild obsessed by rock and pop anthems, the tough taking racoon, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) the green-skinned assassin, her cyborg sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), the lovable walking tree Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), the humourless warrior Drax (Dave Bautista), and the empathic Mantis (Pom Klementieff) are all back for James Gunn’s MCU swan song to round off the Guardians trilogy in fine style.
The melancholy is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Adam Warlock (Will Poulter , a super buff golden assassin. His brutal attack is eventually repelled by the Guardians, but not before Rocket has been fatally wounded. After discovering Rocket has a kill switch in his chest that prevents him from undergoing life saving surgery, the Guardians have no choice but to embark on a dangerous heist mission, along with The Ravagers and a reluctant Gamora, to steal a code from a biotech company. If that wasn’t enough for them to contend with they will also have to confront the powerful High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Lwuji), who originally created Rocked as part of his scheme to genetically engineer a master race.
The ensemble cast are all on especially fine for throughout. Each have made their roles their own now, the team dynamic of the Guardians is a joy to watch, and the humour comes thick and fast as well. James Gunn has clearly been given free reign to do whatever he wants with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, there’s so much crammed in its a little overwhelming at times, but the fun and spectacle of it all is truly breathtaking. It’s not all interstellar high jinks though, Gunn puts Star-Lord and Rocket through the emotional wringer. Peter is pining for the loss of his soulmate Gamora who died in Avengers Infinity War, adding insult to injury, he now has to cope with the face she’s been replaced by the alternative timeline version of Gamora from Endgame who doesn’t love him. Meanwhile, the emotional heart of the film comes from the disturbing flashbacks exploring Rockets origins which highlight the terrible trauma and circumstances that made him into a the kick-ass raccoon we know today. Rocket’s origin story is a harrowing and deeply emotional journey to witness as it unfolds, and its is this powerful underlying narrative that really drives the plot.
With its frenetic action, amazing special effects, and great soundtrack Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is everything fans could’ve hoped for and then some. Sure, the plot dose’t always quite hold together as well as it could’ve and the third act drags a little bit, but James Gunn has still managed to skilfully dodge the pitfalls of the threquill to deliver a fitting finale and entertaining intergalactic adventure on the wackier side of the MCU!
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
Nice, perhaps I will go see this.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is well worth a trip to the cinema, looks amazing on the big screen.
Hmmm, maybe I need to rewatch the Infinity War duology again. Because lots of what you mention about before I don’t remember at all…
Yes, a few people have said that about events surrounding Gamora’s demise and return in Infinity War / Endgame. It’s one of those things that easily gets bit lost in the mix of continuity. I’d certainly say Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is worth your time for a trip to the cinema though, great fun movie.
It’s true that Rocket and his story was the heart of the film but what made GOTG3 so great was that Gunn was able to give the core Guardians their own arcs. This really applies to Quill who has grown since we first saw him dancing and singing on that dead alien world 9 years ago. It’s great that the Guardians were able to end on a high note. Thanks for the terrific review.
I agree, Rocket’s story was such a key factor that makes Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 so memorable. Peter Quill has really come a long way as well since his debut. I really enjoyed this sequel, Gunn certainly gave his all and ensured a great finale for the Guardians. Cheers and glad you enjoyed the review.
This will be fun 🙂
It was a really fun and exciting film, had a great time seeing it. 🙂
I’m excited to see GOTG3! Will probably catch it this coming week. I love all these characters and am glad the reviews are great!
Enjoy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is a great film, and loads of fun too! 🙂
I loved this film. It’s all about the characters, and if you look at the character development over just the film (let alone the trilogy), it’s incredibly well done. Plus the action in this is a step up, with THAT late scene, and I also really enjoyed the opening Adam Warlock fight.
Some story points were waved away too easy (I mean, a WHOLE PLANET died), but overall this was the best MCU film for a long time. As a DC fan, I’m even more stoked for Superman: Legacy now… !
Me too, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 was really good, and gave all our favourite the characters a good send off. James Gunn certainly worked his magic with this movie and I’m excited to see what he does as DC with Superman Legacy as well.
Sounds like a quality final chapter. Enjoyed reading this!
Really enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, it was such a fun film, and a great finale. Cheer, glad you enjoyed the review.
You had me at “Chris Pratt”. ❤
LOl, it’s a great film, sure you’d enjoy!
Paul, I ABSOLUTELY loved this film. I’m not a one for going out, doing public any longer, usually I’m fine with just waiting eventually for things to hit a stream, but for this? A just had to. What a great capper to this 3 movie arc. And thankfully I grabbed a few extra popcorn napkins to serve as tissues as Rocket’s story called for such. I’m so glad the gang held out and called for Gunn’s return after whatever was the “thing” was that had him removed momentarily. I can’t imagine what this would have been like without him. And The The “This is the Day” and Florence and the Machine on the soundtrack? What a joy this was.
My sort of take on this by the way … Cheers dude. https://frankenberrysattic.com/2023/05/06/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-a-sort-of-review/
I’m with you there, I don’t often go to the cinema , but there are some films you just have to see on the big screen. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is one such movie, and I had a blast seeing it. It was such a rollercoaster ride of action and emotion, especially Rocket’s origin story, and the finale it provided for the whole team. Glad you enjoyed the film as much as I did.
Indeed my friend! Cheers to us for venturing out huh to the cinema? HeHeHe!!
Oooops, ** that was supposed to be “Cheers to us for venturing out to the cinema huh?” 🙂
This will likely be the first MCU movie I’ll watch since Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Not sure when I’ll get around to seeing it, but I’ve heard overall that it’s maybe not quite as good as the first two GOTG movies, but still much better than anything else in Phase 4. Well … if you don’t count Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Nice to hear that this movie really digs into Rocket Raccoon’s past, because that’s been the trilogy’s biggest unanswered question up to this point.
I liked GOTG 3 a lot, especially how it showed Rocket’s origin story, and gave the team and the trilogy a good finale. It’s not as good as the original, but way better than the second movie. Then only down side is the long run time really, as that makes the third act drag out a bit. Other than that, considering how Phase 4 hasn’t exactly been overly memorable, GOTG3 is one of the better MCU films of late.
And healed1337 I’m in complete agreement with Paul here that this one is way better than #2. Look forward to hearing your take on the movie when you do get out to see it!
Yes, it’s way better than the 2nd movie. Will indeed be great to hear what you think of it as well.
Sounds like movie day with my grandson! Thank you!
It was a great movie, mind you if you’re taking your grandson I’d point out there is an F Bomb about three quarters of the way through. It was the only thing that marred the film for me, you don’t expect language like that in a MCU movie as a rule.
Speaking of Marvel cinecomics, what do you think about the 2 Venom movies?
I thought the first Venom movie was ok, it was certainly a very different take on the character, but wasn’t keen on the second film much.
I agree with you, the second movie could have been handled better.
By the way, maybe you don’t remember me, but you and I were the most frequent commentors on a marvellous blog named The Speech Bubble, and owned by a very gentle man (GothamRogue). I used to comment your blog too. I’m sorry that I stopped doing it for some years, but now I’m back.
Hi, yes I do Wayne. I remember the Speech Bubble well. It was one of my favourites and then it just suddenly ended. Do you know how Gotham Rogue is doing these days? I’ve seen a lot of people come and go over the years, along with numerous places I’ve done writing for, but I’ve always enjoyed being here blogging the most. Great to hear from you again and hope you are keeping well? 🙂
Some years ago I sent to Gotham Rogue an e – mail to wish him a Merry Christmas, and he didn’t reply. That was the last time I contacted him. Maybe he didn’t reply because that e – mail address was connected to his blog, so when he stopped writing in that blog he stopped using that e – mail address too.
As for me, I’m keeping well, and I hope you’re doing well too. Thank you for your reply and for your kindness! 🙂
Yes, I experienced much the same. I guess when he stopped blogging his email went with it. That’s life as they say, people come and go, and it’s the same in the blogging world too. I’ve been blogging for 10 years now with Sci-Fi Jubilee, I’ve also written for other sites and magazines over the years. It’s opened so many doors for me and I’m eternally grateful for my readers. I love the community of blogging as well. I’m keeping very well thanks. I had to take three months off earlier this year while I recovered from an operation I had just before Christmas, but my recover has gone really well and I’m doing much better now. Thank you so much for your kind words as well. Cheers! 🙂
Glad to hear this one ended the trilogy on a solid note. I really liked the first Guardians but wasn’t crazy about the second one. I haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet since things have been so busy but look forward to watching it soon!
I’m totally with you there. I loved the first Guardians movie but wasn’t impressed at all by the second movie. Thankfully the third film is really good, and gives a nice finale to the characters we’ve grown to know so well over their appearances in the MCU. 🙂
I have such a pleasant time with this one! Besides some of the comic book moments that made you scratch your head, I liked how Gunn handled Rocket’s story within this GOTG story. I hope there’s no more GOTG for a while before we get more Star-Lord action…
I really enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 as well. Especially how it delved into Rocket’s origin. Gunn did a superb job with the movie and really brought the characters storylines to a satisfying finale. I’m sure we will see more of GOTG as well at some point as they’ve been such a popular part of the MCU.