Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - one last huzzah

movie review

The Guardians disband as James Gunn says farewell to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a touching, affecting adventure

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Will Poulter, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, and Sylvester Stallone

Written and directed by: James Gunn

Tagline: Once more with feeling.

Peter Quill and his merry band of misfits get a warm send-off in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn’s final MCU adventure (for now?) that gives its characters a fitting farewell while leaving the door open for their potential return.

The film revolves around the story of the resilient Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), who is critically wounded in an attack by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) towards the start of the film. Unable to heal his wounds, the Guardians – who are now settled on Knowhere and some of whom (see: Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)) aren’t faring particularly well – set out on a mission to save their friend’s life. 

To use their med-packs on Rocket, they must first deactivate a kill switch embedded in him by the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), the ruthless scientist who genetically engineered the now-beloved raccoon. 

To find the switch’s override code, the group must confront a villain who easily ranks among the MCU’s most loathsome. 

Weaved into the narrative, along the way, are arcs about friendship and family, heartache and redemption. One of Gunn’s many strengths is creating characters that are flawed but downright endearing, and he has excelled in this department in the GotG series. Thanks to the connection we have already made with these characters, Vol. 3 hits you right in the feels from start to finish, as it takes its ragtag crew on one last adventure together and delivers closure through an ending that is bittersweet but remains hopeful.

Ultimately, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of the more entertaining chapters in the increasingly struggling Marvel Cinematic Universe. It may sometimes feel like an anti-animal-cruelty PSA and there are a couple of fake-outs the film could have done without, but, all in all, this emotionally satisfying instalment not only tugs at your heartstrings but, in once again showcasing James Gunn’s very considerable talents, also leaves you with the sense that the DC Universe is now in very capable hands.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

- By Sameen Amer

Us Magazine, The News International - 16th June, 2023