Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Baustista, Karen Gillen
Directed by James Gunn
While living on Knowhere, the Guardians of the Galaxy are suddenly attacked by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), who seemingly targets Rocket (Bradley Cooper) for his anger. The attack leaves Rocket in a coma, and the other Guardians are unable to help him because of a killswitch that was installed in his heart, leading them on an intergalactic adventure to save their friend. Their research leads them to the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a megalomaniac who strives to make the perfect species, and who experimented on Rocket when he was a child. In a face against time, the Guardians must band together one last time to save their friend, save the galaxy, and save each other.
The Good:
"GotG Vol. 3" is a much darker film than the two previous outings, as the main thrust of the film focuses on Rocket's insanely tragic backstory (even Nebula said that her torture by Thanos was nothing compared to Rocket's). We see in vivid detail the torture and pain Rocket endured as a youngling, and it's a powerful message that resonates with the viewer because we've known and loved Rocket for the last nine years, so seeing what he went through in his past easily brings a tear to your eye.
While the MCU has been derailed lately with shoddy special effects, "GotG 3" feels like a throwback to the original phases of the franchise. The effects are pristine and top-notch, never distracting from the story, and makes you feel like you're on the adventure with them as they hop from planet to planet. The set designs, costumes, and makeup are all stellar.
A problem that the MCU has faced recently is how they don't offer one-off films anymore, but everything they've been making has to find a way to connect to the MCU as a whole. Be it Riri Williams (the ultimate MacGuffin) in "Wakanda Forever" who merely exists for her own future Disney+ show, or the Guardians' appearance in "Thor: Love & Thunder," there always seemed to have to be a connection to another Marvel property in their solo films. "GotG 3" does no such thing, as the entire film is confined to the cast with nary a mention of Thor, Doctor Strange, or the like. This allows us to fully say goodbye to these characters that we've gotten to know and love without distraction, making for a more emotional core.
There was a lot of behind-the-scene drama that occurred before this film was made, most notably the firing of director James Gunn after unfriendly tweets he made surfaced. This led to several "Guardians" cast members (especially Dave Bautista) threatening to opt out of their contracts if Gunn wasn't re-hired. He was, and the entire cast returned for one last hurrah, and their sincere comradery and unity was shown in the final product. None of them did this for the money, but they wanted a chance to send off their characters in style, and to that end they achieved their goal and then some.
Much like the actors were committed to the film, they were also committed to their roles. Chris Pratt has recently been phoning in his work (especially with 2022's "Jurassic World: Dominion"), but he always has a soft spot for Star Lord, and he gives it his all. Star Lord's role here was more nuanced in the fact that not only was he trying to save the life of his (according to Drax) second best friend, but he also has been going through the ringer having lost Gamora and dealing with a new Gamora from a different timeline who has no feelings for him whatsoever, as well as dealing with the fact that he's lost a lot of people he's loved (his mother, the original Gamora, Yondu), and he worries now that he'll lose his friend as well. To that end, Zoe Saldana also shines as the "new" Gamora, getting a chance to play her own role apart from the love interest and showing why she was described in the comics as the most dangerous woman in the galaxy.
Dave Bautista's Drax and Pom Klementieff's Mantis were always the comedic relief of the group, but here they're given a bit more to work with than Drax's constant stoic humor and Mantis's slapstick comedy. While they still delivered the laughs, you sense the deep connection between the two characters and actors as they often found themselves together through their adventures (much like Shaggy and Scooby were whenever the gang decided to split up). Drax and Mantis here are burdened with their own typecast roles within the Guardians, and manage to prove themselves more than the typecast characters they made themselves out to be.
Karen Gillan takes a more commanding role as Nebula, the once Guardians foe-turned-member who found herself undergoing numerous animatronic resets due to her father Thanos's anger. Even though she still has some anger issues, she also opens up and becomes a more well-rounded character who's implants as of late gives her a strong edge against anyone who opposes her, but also we see her deep emotional connection to Rocket especially since they were the two Guardians left after Thanos snapped the others out of existence at the end of "Avengers: Infinity War."
The main villain is the High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji, and unlike most Marvel villains who have a least a shred of human decency (like Thanos's love for Gamora, or Loki's complete change of heart), there is nothing human about the High Evolutionary. He exists solely to play God, create the perfect society, and totally eradicate any that he deems impure. He conducts numerous experiments on poor animals (including our dear baby Rocket), and hails himself as God in the seemingly absence of one. When he learns Rocket knows more than he does, it sends him into a deranged tailspin that culminates in more shocking, unspeakable moments that seem to be Gunn's way of arguing the concept of an angry God. Iwuji dominates the screen and gives forth a chilling, eerie, and downright unnerving performance that automatically raised his villain to the higherarchy of Marvel villains.
Yet this film is Rocket's, and Bradley Cooper (along with Noah Raskin who voiced Baby Rocket) bares his soul on screen. Ever since Rocket's appearance audiences wondered what his backstory was, and how it seemed that he wasn't present during some of the most epic fights, especially against Thanos in "Avengers: Infinity War." We see his story being told through disturbing flashbacks that give us a deeper insight - and deeper appreciation - for our beloved "rabbit." Though just the voice, Cooper gives more than just that in the performance, leaving audiences in tears over Rocket's story.
The Bad:
For anyone who's an animal lover, "GotG" will be a rough watch due to numerous animal abuses that occur on-screen during Rocket's flashbacks. The High Evolutionary's main goal was to create the perfect creature, and to do so he experiments on numerous animals - Rocket especially. While no actual animals were harmed and it was clearly CGI, the performances are so strong and profound that you'll be moved to anger and sadness seeing the atrocities the High Evolutionary performs.
"GotG" is known for a few things, one of which is the comedic timing between the actors. While the comedy is still there, there's also a darker story concerning Rocket's history that causes severe tonal shifts throughout the film. One moment we see Rocket getting abused through flashbacks, and the next we see banter between Drax and Mantis. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that does work out well, but will leave you feeling a bit exhausted emotionally by the end of it - again showing a strength to the film, but one that not everyone might be able to handle.
With such a stacked cast there's bound to be some characters put to the wayside, and "GotG Vol. 3" is no different. Fans who have been clamoring for a taste of Adam Warlock will be severely disappointed in his lack of screentime, and Groot especially is sidelined throughout the film, appearing for some of the film's more epic action sequences.
The Verdict:
Serving as a fond sendoff for our beloved nuclear intergalactic family, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is filled to the brim with emotional moments, highly dramatic performances, a healthy dose of comedy, and a comradery between the cast and director that exudes through the screen and leaves a lasting impact on the viewers who grew to love these heroes.
The Score: A+
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