Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Out of every individual franchise held together within the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe, few have stayed as consistent as Guardians of the Galaxy. Led by the dynamic James Gunn, the adventures of Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and the rest of the Guardians crew has entertained audiences for nearly a decade. As is nature, tides come and go with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 seeming to signal a closing of their chapter. While the Guardians are settling down on Knowhere, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) finally makes his presence seen as he launches an attack on the Guardians with the hope to capture Rocket (Bradley Cooper) for an unknown reason related to Rocket's mysterious past. This attack sends Rocket into critical condition with the rest of the Guardians scrambling to find a way to save their friend. Blending energetic style with heartbreaking emotion, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 nails its landing and ends up contending for the throne as the best feature to come from the MCU to date.
Immediately from marketing alone, there is a rare gravitas found within Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that hasn't even come close to being touched by the MCU since Avengers: Endgame in 2019. While the true fate of the Guardians of the Galaxy remains a mystery to audiences, there is a clear sense of a chapter being closed from the opening Marvel logo alone that is entirely dedicated to the characters. While so much of the MCU feels safe with main characters carrying heavy plot armor as they all make their way to the next big team up feature, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is different and the stakes feel genuine. It really feels like any character could meet their end at any point making every scene of action all the more thrilling. The emotional weight in the plot itself has also never been better. By this point, the Guardians of the Galaxy have built such a strong camaraderie that their emotions of fear and anger at each-other being put in danger feels authentic and meaningful. The film also dives into Rocket's backstory which contains possibly the saddest emotions of the MCU to date with rather brutal displays of animal cruelty and death. For anyone hoping for pure light hearted fun, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is going to disappoint but one cannot overlook just how refreshing it is to feel genuine emotion coming from an MCU project. It also is refreshing to see a MCU project that carries meaning to the real world that audiences live in with a rather scathing message on animal testing. There is a meaning and purpose to the feature that goes beyond just being a stepping stone to the next MCU film or series.
It is a testament to Gunn's ability both as a director and screenwriter that the film can flawlessly carry this darker identity without ever ruining the more cheerful moments of wonder and comedy that have come to define the series. Gunn perfectly weaves in witty banter and moments of style that maintain the core identity of the series and provide needed bursts of enjoyment between the darkness that is within the feature. These two identities within the film find a natural flow and rhythm that shows clear thought and craft, something sadly not promised within MCU features at this point.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also outshines nearly everything the MCU has produced in years when it comes to visuals. The MCU has been plagued with awful visual effects dating back to 2020 with the grand climax of the horribleness being Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania earlier this year which is possibly one of the most embarrassing technical displays of any blockbuster in recent memory. By using basic core filmmaking tools such as a series of practical effects and inspired cinematography, courtesy of Henry Braham, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 looks fantastic. The camera is more dynamic than it possibly has ever been within the MCU with a tremendous energy and ability. It is pathetic to see a studio of this size be capable of work on this level but refuse to take the basic energy to accomplish competent technical elements unless it is a film of this size.
Another key success for the film is its cast. As previously mentioned, this is a group of characters who truly have come together to form something of a family both in writing and performances. The dynamics are so well realized that every scene of dialogue flows effortlessly with every actor knowing how to bounce off of each-other for both comedic and dramatic effect. While everyone impresses, make no mistake that Chris Pratt steals the show at multiple points as he gives the performance of his career. Never before has this emotional depth been seen from Pratt which builds and builds as he feels his friend slipping away. Special praise also has to be given to Bradley Cooper who through voice alone gives an emotional powerhouse of a performance that evokes deep empathy and understanding for his character.
It is his character who is at the center of the film in every aspect. In one of the most touching and heartfelt expressions of the superhero genre as a whole, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 gives Rocket one of the best character arcs. Literally redefining the franchise up to this point to center around Rocket, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a touching love letter to his character and gives him the space needed to close the chapter on his painful past. Not because of an upcoming Disney+ original series but because of a clear genuine love for the character, Gunn builds a beautiful and tragic story that succeeds because of the true secret ingredient to why the film is so special: sincerity.
Every part of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is sincere. The cast clearly loves their characters and each other, Gunn clearly loves the world he has built, the audience sincerely has grown to love these characters. The film is almost comedic at points with how far it pushes itself. From milking the tragedy of Rocket's past to a rather cheesy overarching message about the duty of the Guardians to act as a force of good, there are areas where the film walks a tightrope of trying too hard. At every one of these points, the film never falls into becoming a work of parody because of how sincere every fiber of the feature is. It is innocent and authentic, creating an emotional rollercoaster that holds onto the track and never loses control.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the best film of the MCU to date. No other feature from this universe has had the same blending of gravitas, enjoyment, and craft that comes together to create a genuine masterpiece. Despite all the turmoil he has faced over the last number of years, Gunn has created his magnum opus and gives the Guardians a beautiful send off that closes this chapter on a wonderful high note
Immediately from marketing alone, there is a rare gravitas found within Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that hasn't even come close to being touched by the MCU since Avengers: Endgame in 2019. While the true fate of the Guardians of the Galaxy remains a mystery to audiences, there is a clear sense of a chapter being closed from the opening Marvel logo alone that is entirely dedicated to the characters. While so much of the MCU feels safe with main characters carrying heavy plot armor as they all make their way to the next big team up feature, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is different and the stakes feel genuine. It really feels like any character could meet their end at any point making every scene of action all the more thrilling. The emotional weight in the plot itself has also never been better. By this point, the Guardians of the Galaxy have built such a strong camaraderie that their emotions of fear and anger at each-other being put in danger feels authentic and meaningful. The film also dives into Rocket's backstory which contains possibly the saddest emotions of the MCU to date with rather brutal displays of animal cruelty and death. For anyone hoping for pure light hearted fun, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is going to disappoint but one cannot overlook just how refreshing it is to feel genuine emotion coming from an MCU project. It also is refreshing to see a MCU project that carries meaning to the real world that audiences live in with a rather scathing message on animal testing. There is a meaning and purpose to the feature that goes beyond just being a stepping stone to the next MCU film or series.
It is a testament to Gunn's ability both as a director and screenwriter that the film can flawlessly carry this darker identity without ever ruining the more cheerful moments of wonder and comedy that have come to define the series. Gunn perfectly weaves in witty banter and moments of style that maintain the core identity of the series and provide needed bursts of enjoyment between the darkness that is within the feature. These two identities within the film find a natural flow and rhythm that shows clear thought and craft, something sadly not promised within MCU features at this point.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also outshines nearly everything the MCU has produced in years when it comes to visuals. The MCU has been plagued with awful visual effects dating back to 2020 with the grand climax of the horribleness being Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania earlier this year which is possibly one of the most embarrassing technical displays of any blockbuster in recent memory. By using basic core filmmaking tools such as a series of practical effects and inspired cinematography, courtesy of Henry Braham, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 looks fantastic. The camera is more dynamic than it possibly has ever been within the MCU with a tremendous energy and ability. It is pathetic to see a studio of this size be capable of work on this level but refuse to take the basic energy to accomplish competent technical elements unless it is a film of this size.
Another key success for the film is its cast. As previously mentioned, this is a group of characters who truly have come together to form something of a family both in writing and performances. The dynamics are so well realized that every scene of dialogue flows effortlessly with every actor knowing how to bounce off of each-other for both comedic and dramatic effect. While everyone impresses, make no mistake that Chris Pratt steals the show at multiple points as he gives the performance of his career. Never before has this emotional depth been seen from Pratt which builds and builds as he feels his friend slipping away. Special praise also has to be given to Bradley Cooper who through voice alone gives an emotional powerhouse of a performance that evokes deep empathy and understanding for his character.
It is his character who is at the center of the film in every aspect. In one of the most touching and heartfelt expressions of the superhero genre as a whole, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 gives Rocket one of the best character arcs. Literally redefining the franchise up to this point to center around Rocket, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a touching love letter to his character and gives him the space needed to close the chapter on his painful past. Not because of an upcoming Disney+ original series but because of a clear genuine love for the character, Gunn builds a beautiful and tragic story that succeeds because of the true secret ingredient to why the film is so special: sincerity.
Every part of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is sincere. The cast clearly loves their characters and each other, Gunn clearly loves the world he has built, the audience sincerely has grown to love these characters. The film is almost comedic at points with how far it pushes itself. From milking the tragedy of Rocket's past to a rather cheesy overarching message about the duty of the Guardians to act as a force of good, there are areas where the film walks a tightrope of trying too hard. At every one of these points, the film never falls into becoming a work of parody because of how sincere every fiber of the feature is. It is innocent and authentic, creating an emotional rollercoaster that holds onto the track and never loses control.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the best film of the MCU to date. No other feature from this universe has had the same blending of gravitas, enjoyment, and craft that comes together to create a genuine masterpiece. Despite all the turmoil he has faced over the last number of years, Gunn has created his magnum opus and gives the Guardians a beautiful send off that closes this chapter on a wonderful high note