Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

UK Release Date: 03 May 2023

Certification: 12A
Director: James Gunn
Cast: Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Chukwudi Iwuji, Pom Klementieff, Will Poulter, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña

Rating: 87%

Review:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a breath of fresh air within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). So much so that it has already found its way to third place in my ranking of the franchise. James Gunn delivers the perfect ending to the Guardians with his swan song. 

James Gunn never fails to deliver when it comes to the soundtrack of his films - it's became somewhat of a guarantee throughout his career. He often states that he writes in music before any dialogue, giving scenes added essence. Each needle drop is executed both realistically and wonderfully. The film began with one of my favourite openings of all time. The way it built into the title crawl was epic. I think the opening is perfect and is enhanced by my love of Radiohead. 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn' backdrops a sensational action set-piece. I'm really glad Florence + The Machine will finally get the mainstream recognition she deserves after this film, providing a truly heartwarming end. 

Rocket shines in the lead role. When the film was initially announced I would not have expected to explore his backstory but it's the best aspect of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Despite being beautifully told, it's utterly devastating to watch. Bradley Cooper's voice work is terrific,  transforming himself into the role. Over the course of the trilogy, Gunn and Cooper have made the audience connect with a CGI racoon - a feat which shouldn't be overlooked. The overall arc since his first appearance in 2014 has made Rocket a fan-favourite as well as one of the most developed heroes in the MCU. 

But every character in the film gets their own moment to shine. This is potentially the best Chris Pratt has been. Still grieving Gamora's death, Star Lord is broken and he perfectly portrays that sense of loss in one's self. The range on display is fantastic. Nebula's journey over the past decade has been beautiful to watch, with a natural progression of character from film to film. Karen Gillan has nail downed every aspect of the role. Zoe Saldaña effortlessly slips back into the 2014 version of Gamora, a more scorned and cynical representation. Chukwudi Iwuji does a brilliant job as the film's main antagonist, The High Evolutionary. The vile depiction of his treatment of animals places him amongst the most hated villains ever put to screen. 

This is by far the most emotive film in the MCU - both comedically and sensitively. Pom Klementieff, Will Poulter and Chris Pratt all get a few laughs out of me but no one compares to Drax. Dave Bautista as Drax is magnificent comic book casting. There were several occasions during the runtime where I was in tears as a result of his comedic delivery. On the other hand, the film is heart wrenching at points. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 deals with the subject of animal cruelty in a delicate manner. The film tells a personal and 'down to earth' story, disconnected from the rest of the MCU, allowing audiences to easily latch onto characters and become emotionally invested.

Excellent cinematography and stunning direction from Henry Braham and James Gunn respectively only enhance the quality of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Over-arching arcs are wrapped up resulting in satisfying conclusions for all the Guardians. Ultimately, this final outing will contribute to one of the best comic book movie trilogies. The future of DC is in safe hands with James Gunn at the helm.