Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is probably one of the most meticulously directed movies which feels and looks incredible made by Marvel Studios in a while. Since Avengers: Endgame, there have been many new series and movies, out of which the next most enjoyed ones were Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spiderman: No Way Home.
While this was the next most awaited movie after Antman and the Wasp: Quantamania, which also made some people question the introduction of Kang for the future of MCU. So, while we stick to the topic, let us talk about the characters, effects, and the story of the movie (well, without spoiling much since its yet to be released in many countries)
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has a total of three installments to it, along with its appearances in the Avengers franchise. The Guardians of the GAlaaxy franchise has been directed by James Gunn (all three movies). While James Gunn’s direction has made this franchise so lovable to the fans, it might be the last installment to the franchise as James Gunn seems to be leaving MCU and moving to DCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 Review
The Relation between James Gunn and GOTG Franchise
James Gunn is an American filmmaker best known for his role in the Guardians of the Galaxy film series. He wrote and directed the first and second films in the series, which were released in 2014 and 2017, respectively. The films were produced by Marvel Studios and were based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name.
Gunn’s creative approach to the Guardians of the Galaxy films was characterized by combining elements of science fiction and superhero action with humor and emotion. The films were praised for their consistent writing style, engaging characters, and impressive use of music. Additionally, the films featured a cast of famous actors, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper.
Gunn’s success with the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films allowed him to write and direct the highly anticipated third installment, which is currently in pre-production. However, in 2018, Disney and Marvel Studios fired Gunn over the appearance of previous tweets that contained controversial jokes on sensitive topics like rape and pedophilia.
Gunn’s firing caused a huge outcry from fans, who launched a campaign to have him reinstated. The cast of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise also expressed their support for Gunn, with numerous members signing an open letter calling for his reinstatement. Despite this James Gunn has moved to DC Studios and will not be working with MCU anymore, thus making this his last film with them.
The Plot
So, the plot pretty much revolves around what James Gunn promised us; he told us that the finale would be focused on one of the crew members of the Guardians, seemingly Rocket. The majority of the story revolves around the past and origin story of Rocket. The Guardian’s mission to uncover Rocket’s past is linked to the sinister experiments executed by the galactic eugenicist, the High Evolutionary.
There is also our dear couple Star-Lord and Gamora, who are constantly fighting in this movie most of the time as Star-Lord tries to make up with her. The Gamora of the current timeline is dead, and the Gamora of the past is with the current Stra-Lord but with no feelings or memories of the current Gamora. So, in the past, Gamora does not feel anything toward him.
There is also a major spoiler that Mantis and Peter Quill (Star-Lord) are siblings, but we are yet to confirm how they are related (or is it a mystery?). Then there is Adam Warlock, who is supposed to be somewhat like Superman with the powers but with negative feelings for the Guardians. Well, he was not as strong or charming as in the comics, so that was a bit disappointing.
They also make a heist in the movie, which was kind of displayed in a very aesthetic way, and the planning was kinda stupid but worked out in the end. No character in the movie is sidelined, they all portray some major role in some part which leaves an impact on everyone’s minds.
Cast Performance
While the cast of the franchise keeps expanding and bringing in new characters, it was entertaining to watch what happens to the story. Well, the story pretty much ends on a kind of sad note as some say that the Guardians disband (but do they actually). They might be back somehow; it’s MCU they won’t kill all the characters.
Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt, was one of the most fun watches in the movie as he kinda acts desperate and wants Gamora’s love but is not able to get the same feelings from her. He kept trying and telling everyone, which was kind of relatable to every other teenage love life, but that’s what made it even better.
Groot (Vin Diesel) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) still made a dynamic duo by giving wonderful voice performances by both actors. While Groot had to be played a bit masculine and hunky, Rocket had to be played like a child and an old character at the same time. The actors got the essence of it and played it well. It must have been quite a task for them as new personalities since their last part in Avengers: Endgame or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2.
Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Draxx (Dave Bautista) play the comedy duo in the movie, who get many instances in the movie and provide the crowd with lots of laughs. Their oblivious idiocy makes it so funny, and the duo portrays the character with such authenticity since the first installment in the franchise. It is so good to see some things not change and remain the same.
Effects and Direction
By seeing the movie, you can see that the budget was much more than the previous movies of MCU, and they wished to make something better this time. The visual effects were so clean and detailed that we got to see so many new kinds of species unimagined and well-defined.
The directions given by James Gunn in the movie are so fabulous, along with the well-written script, which made the movie get the praise it deserves. There are many instances in the movie which make you laugh and keep you happy through the movie, but sometimes the movie goes to a dark place. The dark places as in their past traumas and emotional places where they did not want to go (Especially for Rocket).
The new team dynamic established in this movie was also well-directed by Gunn, as the present Guardians have to train and deal with the Gamora of the past and tolerate her tantrums many times. There were also instances in the movie where we could feel the characters not wanting to be Guardians forever, like at the beginning of the movie when we find Quill drunk, and the team responds, “Again?”.
But no matter, Gunn has done his best and tried to balance all the aspects like comedy, drama, action, aesthetics, and bonds into this one movie. The part in the movie where Adam Warlock just causes chaos and goes again despite probably being the perfect being, but acting like a toddler made it a bit sad.
The visual effects of the movie were nothing like we have ever seen before. It was like we were literally in outer space amongst the different alien species. The heist part was the best as Guardians dressed up 3D Among Us characters while showing us outer space and the beauty of it, which was just mesmerizing.
Our Verdict
While the movie gives a great feeling of the aesthetics and outer space life, it has some shortcomings. Like the perfect superhuman, Adam Warlock, as portrayed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, was supposedly given the feeling that he might be the next supervillain. But the Adam in Vol 3. is not even near how he is written in the comics.
The movie does make some serious connections between the characters and real life. It did help make us feel the importance of bonds and family. While we all wanted more alien villains, we got more aesthetics, but that still did not disappoint us at all. The movie was a lovely watch since it focused on the space theme and made it come to real life. It was a wonderful ending to such a fabulous franchise and to our dear Guardians.
Our Rating: ⭐ (3.8/5).
