GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 (2023)

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 (2023)

Tagline: It's time to face the music.

(Action, Adventure, Rocket) [PG-13]

You left out some important information. But that is the gist of it.

In this one, the GUARDIANS are now staying on Nowhere and Peter is really struggling with Gamora being gone. Ayesha decides to send Adam Warlock to collect Rocket for The High Evolutionary. This leads to a mission that could decide the fate of the GUARDIANS and also brings Gamora from another timeline back into the fold explores Rocket’s dark origin story.

One thing you are likely to hear about this movie is that it is the darkest of the 3 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY films and that is definitely true at least visually. I say that because there could probably be an exhaustive discussion on whether or not Ego was worse than The High Evolutionary in terms of dialog and what they did. I am not going to get into spoilers here but you can tell by the previews this thing is a gut-wrenching emotional ride in certain parts. 

I will say that as much as I like Will Poulter (THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER) and really enjoy him in this, I can’t say for a fact that comic book fans are going to be thrilled with his turn as Adam Warlock. He displays both determination and heart and I liked that balance, but I have no idea what Adam Warlock fans will think. Just a heads up on that. We also get a significantly different Gamora from the one we got in VOL. 2. Granted, it’s the same Gamora, only from the past, so Zoe Saldana is tasked with taking on the role a lot more like she did in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY before she met Peter. If I have any issues about this movie at all, it involves these two characters, but really it has to do more with what I was hoping for something the movie doesn’t get to. I do hope we see more of both characters, but this thing is kind of presented as a swan song for the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY so who really knows what the future holds.

If there are any complaints about Chris Pratt’s range, those should be put to rest after this freaking thing. Chris Pratt is simply magic as Peter Quill (Starlord) and this is another great performance out of him. Pom Klementieff (THUNDER FORCE) has a strong outing as Mantis. This might be my second favorite film she’s been in. Dave Bautista (KNOCK AT THE CABIN) is good again as Drax, I can’t really say this is a better film for him than the other two in the series, but he’s definitely solid here. This is another fantastic effort from Karen Gillan (GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE) as Nebula. Bradley Cooper (DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES) does an outstanding job of voicing my favorite character Rocket and man…the feels in this one guys. That’s all I can say. There is a gender swap for Cosmo who is voiced by Maria Bakalova. If you saw the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL this isn’t new information, but she does a solid job. This was actually a nod to Laika who was a Russian dog and one of the first animals in space. I don’t have an issue with gender-swapping or race-swapping characters like some people do. 

There is usually quite a bit of focus on how Marvel has a villain problem, but Chukwudi Iwuji’s portrayal of The High Evolutionary is probably one of the best villains ever in the MCU. Definitely top 5. I don’t need my villains to have some traits I can identify with. It is possible to come up with a villain with ZERO redeeming qualities and The High Evolutionary is that character. Chukwudi Iwuji is simply incredible. 

When it comes to the pacing this is a near-perfect film and to be honest I could have hung out with these characters for another 4 hours. The special effects were great and the soundtrack is incredible. 

Overall I guess I am biased, but GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is by far the best trilogy in the MCU. This film is mind-blowing and I really just loved this experience. I can’t wait to go see it again. This thing is a solid 7 out of 7. I don’t see how most fans won’t be able to enjoy this thing, and whatever you think about James Gunn, the dude delivers a top-tier film here.

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF MARVEL STUDIOS AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.