Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is in theaters and with it, the beloved GOTG series has made an emotional return. With the determination to deliver the producers did everything in their power and it worked nicely as moviegoers are full of praise for the feature-length film. This is one hell of a redeeming achievement by a sinking MCU Phase 5.

Saying goodbye to those we’ve spent much time with is never easy. And now, it’s time to bid farewell to the ragtag of misfits who formed an unusual yet lovable family in the Guardians of the Galaxy. After some lackluster releases like She-Hulk in the MCU, fans were disappointed that Phase 5 wasn’t delivering the vibrant energy of the old MCU days. However, this time, the MCU did a fantastic job by bringing back James Gunn as director, who skillfully gave our heroes a fitting send-off in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

The third instalment, Guardian of the Galaxy 3 delves into Rocket’s origin story, providing insight into his past. Fans have been eagerly anticipating this backstory, but the emotional impact was unexpectedly intense. Director Gunn masterfully addresses issues of animal abuse and testing, creating a powerful and thought-provoking superhero film. Rocket’s tragic history had a significant impact on both the fandom and the overall storyline. Despite this focus on Rocket, the series’ final chapter remains centered on Peter Quill and his team as the main protagonists.

Cast And Crew

Produced by Marvel Studios and written by James Gunn, starring some very known faces. Chris Pratt portrays the heroic yet simple-minded Peter Quill, while Dave Bautista embodies the powerful but not-so-bright Drax. Karen Gillan brings life to the fierce and unforgiving Nebula, while Pom Klementieff portrays the empathetic Mantis. Vin Diesel lends his voice to the stoic space creature Groot, and Bradley Cooper voices the tough and feisty Rocket the raccoon.

Joining the team are Adam Warlock, a genetically enhanced being with the mind of a childish influencer, and Kraglin, a space pirate who struggles with performance. Cosmo, a telekinetic space dog, also appears alongside a new villain in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

If you’re a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you may remember that Disney fired James Gunn from directing a superhero film due to some controversial tweets that resurfaced. However, after a few months, Gunn was reinstated, giving him another opportunity to write a story for the beloved team of misfits in the galaxy. Despite having a plan for the third instalment of the series, he was unable to deliver it after being fired. Nonetheless, he managed to create an exhilarating segment of the MCU and bid farewell to his perfect creation one last time.

Reception Of Guardians Of The Galaxy 3

Guardians of the Galaxy 3, part of Phase Five of the MCU, had its world premiere at Disneyland Paris on April 22, 2023, and was released to the general public on May 5, 2023. With a global earning of approximately $670.4 million, it became the third highest-grossing movie of 2023 and received favorable reviews from critics.

The PG-13 2 hours 30 minutes film has a solid 8.3 out of 10 IMDb rating and a 94% audience score from Rotten Tomatoes. Fans and critics alike have expressed their positive feedback for Guardians of the Galaxy 3. As for me, I would rate it 8.8/10.

Guardians Of The Galaxy 3

The movie Guardian of the Galaxy 3 successfully blended humor and emotion, unlike Thor Love and Thunder, which struggled to achieve the same balance. In the film, the guardians reside in Knowhere, and Peter reminisces about his former love interest, Gamora, who is not the same as the Gamora he knew before. This is due to the time heist, which erased her memories, resulting in a different dynamic among the characters.

During an unexpected attack by Adam Warlock, our dear friend Rocket Raccoon was severely injured. Nebula came to his aid and discovered a “Kill switch” protected by a passcode. If they fail to find the passcode within 48 hours, Rocket’s life will be in danger, and he will die. In a race against time, the guardians embark on a journey to save Rocket while uncovering his origin story.

I really enjoyed Drax’s performance in Nebula’s movie. Despite the large cast of characters, everyone had a chance to shine instead of being overshadowed. While Adam Warlock could have had more development, High Revolutionary was portrayed excellently. It was refreshing to have a standalone story that relied on something other than past MCU events or superhero cameos to be successful. It was a testament to how new Marvel movies can stand independently and still be great hits without the appearance of iconic characters.

The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) was well-defined as a villain. Visual effects were top-notch, no doubt! Visual effects were so realistic and reasonable that you would be forced to get connected to the scenes more.  Dave Bautista gets the most from his final performance as Drax, combining deft verbal and physical humor and a couple of surprising tender moments.

The movie was lengthy, spanning 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, it managed to maintain a consistent pace without any dull moments. The music production team deserves recognition for their outstanding work in delivering perfectly fitting soundtracks, especially for emotionally intense scenes. Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 fulfilled all expectations one would have from a Guardians of the Galaxy film.

Will There Be GOTG 4?

Guardian of the Galaxy 3 is the end of the franchise. There is less possibility for GOTG 4 or any cameo of the Guardians in the next MCU films. But hey, this is MCU. Anything is possible, but it might not be anytime soon, that’s for sure.

Should You Watch Guardians Of The Galaxy 3?

Three words… GO FOR IT! Instead, I’d suggest you don’t waste your time and go to the theatres to see this masterpiece comeback and end to the trilogy! I must say, everything from the cinematography to the music and acting was excellent in the recent MCU release. It’s safe to say that they delivered this time. You won’t be left feeling disappointed like with She-Hulk.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is a perfect blend of emotions, humor, and darkness, accompanied by superb storytelling that is sure to capture your heart. Additionally, this may be your final opportunity to bid farewell to the characters that have been so close to us throughout this journey. MCU deserves a round of applause for this film, and I hope they maintain this level of excellence in their upcoming projects.

And readers, if you’re thinking of watching the highly popular second season of Shadow & Bone then do read my review on Shadow & Bone Season 2 here in Deshi Geek.