Had Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 kicked off Phase Five over the latest Ant-Man movie, audiences might collectively feel more optimistic about the MCU’s future. Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 arrives in cinemas on Wednesday, May 3rd.
The Guardians of the Galaxy movies have been some of the biggest highlights of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to their humour, playfulness, and genuine interest in the characters. Now the Guardians are back for one last hurrah in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, and while it may lean a bit too heavily on its comedic crutch, it’s a send-off packed with action, laughter and emotion.
Set some time after Avengers: Endgame, the Guardians have established a base on the planet Knowhere. Their leader, Quill (Chris Pratt), is depressed after Gamora’s (Zoe Saldana) death, especially since the newest version of Gamora doesn’t share the romantic feelings the pair once had. However, he and the rest of the Guardians set their individual concerns aside when Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) is severely injured in a fight. As they set out to save their furry friend, the Guardians face Rocket’s tumultuous past and a narcissistic maniac known as the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji).
One of the best things about these films has always been the Guardians’ dynamic and how well each film tunes into each crew member’s journey. Whereas The Avengers, as impressive as they are, felt like a brand for a colossal, forever-changing team, the Guardians always felt like a dysfunctional but loving family. Volume 3 puts Rocket at the centre as we learn about the horrific experiments that turned him into who he is now. Each crew member has a role to play in helping Rocket confront his past while developing their narrative arc.
This familial feel is crucial to understanding one of the film’s themes—the beauty of imperfection. The Guardians are all, in many ways, broken individuals. Yet they complement each other’s faults and bring out the best in one another, whether through comedic jabs or earnest teamwork when facing a threat. Therefore, it makes sense that the antagonist this time around is a diabolical perfectionist with a god complex, tearing others apart under the guise of “fixing” them. The stakes are not just for the galaxy, but for the Guardians personally. The fact that Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 doesn’t feel the need to tie into the numerous other MCU sub-franchises makes its themes stronger and its emotions more authentic. The moments detailing Rocket’s backstory are some of the most soul-destroying of any MCU film.
Visually, this film is stunning. Admittedly, a few moments have special effects that feel unconvincing, and the constantly shifting aspect ratios in IMAX are distracting. Otherwise, the production design is immersive and spectacular. Locations include a space station that is seemingly its own organic entity and a counter-Earth with anthropomorphic animals rather than humans as its inhabitants. Each embraces the dizzy colours that have imbued this franchise with such personality, embracing the weirdness of the film’s look and using it to make the eventual action all the more dazzling and the dark drama at the heart of its story all the bleaker by comparison. The film flourishes under James Gunn’s unique direction.
While comedy has always been one of this trilogy’s strongest assets, especially in a mega-franchise with more quips than superheroes, the humour is a little more hit-and-miss this time. There are some solid comedic portions, including the ongoing battle between Drax (Dave Bautista) and metaphors. However, some humour, such as arguing and trading insults, feels excessive, especially considering their close friend’s life is at stake. It never undermines the narrative’s themes or agency, but it may be too much for weary fans who are finding the excessive reliance on humour a bit tedious.
Thankfully, this weakness doesn’t detract from the Guardians’ legendary charisma, which made every film, including this one, a delight. The actors fully embrace their roles, from Bautista and Karen Gillan’s irritated bluntness to Pratt’s suave and Pom Klementieff’s perpetual confusion. Cooper and Bautista may stand out, but this is an ensemble effort if ever there was one. Gunn really knows how to bring out the magic in this group of actors, and their charm and love for the material make this movie a success.
If Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 had kicked off Phase Five instead of the latest Ant-Man movie, audiences might feel more optimistic about the MCU’s future. While far from perfect, James Gunn’s movie is a funny, visually immersive and genuinely heartfelt blockbuster with great characters and surprisingly compelling themes. It is a fun, poignant send-off for the MCU’s most consistent trilogy, and whatever happens next in the MCU, it’s been a pleasure to watch the antics of this joyful intergalactic band of misfits.
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