LOS ANGELES, CA — The second film of the Phase Five of the M.C.U. (Marvel Cinema Universe), Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire film for a variety of reasons.
With Gamora (Zoe Saldana) gone, the Guardians arrive at Knowhere, their new home base. Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is seen dreaming and subconsciously mourning what he believes to be the loss of Gamora, the love of his life. Meanwhile, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is attacked and is in critical condition. Rocket’s conditions allows for the other Guardians; Nebula (Karen Gillan), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Drax (Dave Bautista) to reassemble in order to save Rocket.
Quinn finds comfort in alcohol but must sober up in order to help his dear, while leading the team on this latest adventure. As the team reviews information about Rocket’s past search for insight to save him, they discover the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a powerful mad scientist that experiments on animals and any life form, in order to what he believes perfects the world. When the High Evolutionary believes he falls short of that perfection bar, with no conscience, he terminates the experiments and starts over. In his demented head, the High Evolutionary sees killing his experiments as a form of mercy, which as the film continues, dwells a little more in his demented mind state.
“This guy over here [Chukwudi Iwuji] plays the cruelest MCU villain we’ll ever see,” director James Gunn said.
The film continues to travel through the origins of Rocket and the High Evolutionary’s history when he was created and later discovered to be the smartest creation that the High Evolutionary has and even surpassed his level of intelligence.
As the team explores the journey to find the High Evolutionary, they discover that Gamora is not only alive, but is not the same person Quill remembers. The team realizes they need Gamora’s help in order to save Rocket. The team must disguise themselves on a gooey planet searching for answers. The battle scenes are creative and attention grabbing in various scenes. This film directed by James Gunn made sure to capture many emotions from laughter, anger, and sadness that will surely tug at your heart strings.
As the team goes through various trials and tests, they’re able to find the exact ingredient to save Rocket’s life. There is a moment that left the audience in a confused vortex as it appeared the team was too late to save him. Quill continued to try to revive Rocket only for his efforts to seemingly fall short. A few seconds later, Rocket wakes up from his coma.
With this being the final film directed by Gunn, he truly made sure that Guardians finished in a blaze of glory and the chapter that featured Quill, Drax, Mantis, Groot, Nebula and Gamora can now be completed in this final installment. This is one of the best Marvel films since SpiderMan: No Way Home and they didn’t have to tap into the Multiverse, Quantummania, or any other verse, just an authentic film that continued to elevate with each volume of the story.
Growth is important as a new leader possibly emerged to lead a new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy in….. Rocket.
*I give Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 – 9/10.
*All photos Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.*
