Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Released May 5, 2023
Written and Directed by James Gunn
* No spoilers *
Audiences have every right to be cautious of a new Marvel movie but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is easily the studio's best since Spiderman: No Way Home. It’s not just great “for a superhero/Marvel movie”, it’s fantastic. Period. Director James Gunn is a genius who tells a hilarious, entertaining, and emotional story like few other filmmakers can. Balancing humour, drama, action, and wholesome heartfelt moments is rare, but when a movie manages to pull it off it's magical. Gunn has been perfecting this since Guardians Vol. 1 and Guardians Vol. 3 is where we can see it all pay off.
Action sequences are full of novel ideas, uniquely choreographed, and composed with such expert framing that they feel like a comic panel come to life. The chemistry between characters is kinetic with expertly delivered comedy that is never overboard or unwanted. As much as the MCU likes to use humour to undercut serious moments Guardians Vol. 3 strikes a perfect balance. [As all things should be 😜] It’s so refreshing that the serious and heavy story beats are given the space to sink in. There are no last minute quips to break the tension. You feel the weight of the emotion and have to absorb it, even when it is uncomfortable. There are several intense character choices that do not go as you'd expect. Gunn doesnt take the easy way out and delivers a satisfying and meaningful conclusion for each character. This is a dedicated labour of love and farewell to an ensemble of brilliantly written oddballs.
If you asked anyone prior to 2012 who the Guardians were they would have no idea. These once C-list characters are now some the most beloved of the last decade. Peter Quill, Rocket, Groot, Gamora, Drax, Mantis, and Nebula all get plenty of screen time but Vol. 3 delves deepest into Rocket's story. For me to connect so powerfully with a snarky animated racoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born), is a true testament to the quality of storytelling. The main cast, and especially Rocket, have such masterfully told arcs from Guardians Vol. 1 to here and while theres plenty of meaningful payoffs from prior entries, you do NOT need to be up to date on every new Marvel film/show to enjoy Guardians Vol 3. If you’ve seen Guardians Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, Infinity War and Endgame, (and the Guardians Holiday Special to be safe) you will be as caught up as you need to be.
There are a host of new faces that aren’t hollow cameos or purely set up for future movies. They have well developed introductions and their stories fit into the themes of the movie. Will Poulter (The Revenant) makes his debut as Adam Warlock, a character that has been teased since Guardians Vol. 2 back in 2017. This version is unique and differs from the source material but his delivery and humour works so well with the rest of the cast. The film’s villain, The High Evolutionary, is played by the underrated Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker). He is one of the most hate-able antagonists in the MCU and unlike other villains with seemingly righteous motivations it was nice to have someone who is truly irredeemable. Vol. 3 also introduces some adorable new animated characters that have phenomenal voice performances and dialogue that is arguably the best the MCU has ever had. It’s not an exaggeration to say that there is some very heavy story choices here that will tug at the heartstrings and it is done with the appropriate class and skill to be earnest and effective.
There are characters arcs that could have easily drifted into cliche but Gunn had the courage and vision to do what felt genuine and true. Characters don’t always have the ending you might expect and breaking that convention adds a refreshing authenticity. The themes of belonging, embracing your own imperfections, and having the willingness to be embraced by others despite those flaws, are the core of this movie. I also commend when storytellers respect their audience enough to let them deduce meaning without it being openly stated. The filmmaking speaks for itself and there is a sequence toward the end that is a perfect example of the visual storytelling that can only work in a movie.
Anyone who is a fan of the Guardians will know their signature trait of having a perfectly catchy collection of music, Vol. 3 is no different. Music supervision is an under appreciated aspect of crafting a film and Guardians does it like no one else. The track that plays out into the end credits is perfection and a great tribute and celebration to these characters we have grown so attached to. A true send off that shows exactly how to wrap up a story. I haven't felt this much joy experiencing the conclusion of a trilogy since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
James Gunn once again shows his prowess as a writer, director, storyteller and custodian to some of the most beloved characters in recent cinematic history. It’s his care and vision that elevates this beyond a blockbuster-superhero-action-comedy into an excellent character piece. Not only did he make us fall in love with this family of misfits and weirdos, he made us feel like we were part of that family too. So much so, that we all understand when a lumbering tree creature says “I am Groot”, it means so much more than just those three words.
8/10 - A beautiful conclusion to James Gunn’s already stand out series. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a satisfying, genuine, and moving character piece that takes you on an emotional journey with this band of loveable weirdos.
A spoiler-free review of this cameo filled buddy bromance action comedy. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. LFG!