Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – Film Review

It’s hard not to feel bittersweet about Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3.

It feels like only yesterday we were introduced to these hilarious lovable galactic misfits in the original Guardians of the Galaxy film, surprisingly 9 years ago.

So, although it’s been 6 years between stand-alone films, or only a few months for those of us that watched the recent Kevin Bacon Christmas special. As fantastic as it is to be reunited with these characters that we’ve all grown to love as friends, perhaps even like family. Sadly, it is inevitable for this action-packed space epic to come to an end.

Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Nebula (Karen Gillan) all return. A little bit older, a little bit wiser, and some a little bit broken. The dynamic in the team may have changed, but their friendship is as strong as ever. As we know throughout his journey, Star-Lord has lost many loved ones along the way. He lost his mother to cancer when he was a child, his Ravager adopted father Yondu in the last Guardians film, and more recently the love of his life Gamora. This is already too much and Peter can’t take another loss.

With Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 focusing more on Peter’s best friend Rocket, we finally get to uncover his long undiscussed origin story while revisiting Peter’s beginnings, tying back to the first film to wrap up this phenomenal space story nicely in a neat little bow.

Director James Gunn, who co-wrote the film with Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, holds nothing back. Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 is filled with aesthetically pleasing spacescapes, stylish and colourful costumes, adorably quirky characters both new and old, fierce friendships, another terrifying villain, more fine tunes, beautiful lines, and so much heart.

The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy’s recurring key to its success is that they all share the common theme of ’love’. Whether it be friendship love, romantic love, or familial love, love has always been essential to Guardians’ core. I also have no doubt that there are real friendships between the cast and crew underneath all that make up, hard work, and stunning CGI. Especially considering this journey has been spanning for nearly a decade.

There’s so much to love and appreciate about Gunn’s final Marvel film (at least, the last one for now). These films work because the director has remained the same, along with his distinct vision of the Guardians world that Gunn masterfully showcases and executes perfectly. I dare say it is the best Marvel Studios film since Avengers: End Game.

Perhaps I am a bit biased, Guardians of the Galaxy is my favourite film franchise within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But it’s hard not to feel emotional when these characters you have grown up with have too grown up alongside you, and now it’s time to say goodbye.

I highly recommend rewatching the original film, its sequel, and the Christmas special before tackling this new film to get the most enjoyment out of it. Oh, and make sure to bring plenty of tissues! If this film isn’t going to move you to tears and tug at your heartstrings, nothing will. My head still hurts from crying so much, but my heart is so happy, relieved, satisfied, and full.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 is as smart as it is moving. It may not win any prestigious awards any time soon, but it will win many hearts. James Gunn didn’t let us down.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 is in cinemas now and I’m definitely going to see it again.

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