Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3
“Guardians Vol 3” has more emotion in the first 5 minutes of its lengthy runtime than the entire Marvel slate of projects since “Endgame”. Not only that, I'm comfortable saying this is easily the best trilogy of films in the MCU (sorry, Spider-Man. I loved “No Way Home”, but “Guardians wins the trilogy battle). So put your worries aside and dive in, but be warned, the amazing final GOTG has some scenes that might be seriously hard to watch.
This is the most serious of the 3 “Guardians” films. Don't get me wrong, there are a ton of laughs. But the backstory of Rocket Raccoon features some graphic scenes of animal abuse that could be really hard for kids and even some adults to handle. It feels strange saying that about a Marvel movie honestly, since even when they ramp up the violence or serious themes like death it's always pulled back just enough for nearly all ages. And because of that, I respect the fact that they allowed the intensity necessary to bring this trilogy to a proper conclusion. It even features the first “F” word in the MCU. But all these decisions feel fully validated by the story.
All the main characters are given their moments to shine and it comes through wonderfully in all the numerous unique action sequences set to a kick-ass soundtrack you've come to expect from the franchise. And although I loved Kurt Russell as “Ego” in GOTG Vol 2, The High Evolutionary in Vol 3 is the franchise, and maybe one of the MCU best villains. He's so good, and appropriately menacing. No spoilers, but his impact on the Guardians is meaningful and deep. It doesn't feel like a shoe-horned in motive like so many post-”Endgame” moments have.
There is one character who is unfortunately not given enough of a spotlight, and I can't help but think that this character's arc was completely thrown into disarray by the writing of “Infinity War” and “Endgame”, which writer/director James Gunn had input on, but never any direct influence over. If there is one criticism for me about the film it's that. And it should be pretty easy to know what I'm talking about when you see the film. But that hardly detracts from anything. It's still so, so good.
Marvel losing James Gunn to DC is a real blow to be honest. We've already seen them try to reproduce his style of adventure to pretty mediocre results with the recent “Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania” which was met with lukewarm reception by pretty much everyone. But it's so hard to know what the future will hold with properties. Is this REALLY the last time James Gunn will dip his toes into the Marvel pool? It's so hard to imagine with the already massively successful opening weekend of “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3”. And if it is his last hurrah at Marvel, what a Hell of a way to go out.
10/10 - Masterpiece
