by: Chris Conkling

In August of 2014, James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” debuted to skeptical audiences around the globe. Could Marvel Studios achieve the impossible and make theatergoers care about an anthropomorphic tree and talking raccoon? At the time, most didn’t believe it was possible and predicted the film would be the studios’ first major flop. However, it has been almost 9 years, two solo outings, three crossover films, James Gunn’s firing in 2018 and re-hiring in 2019 from Disney, and one holiday special, and this eclectic group of misfits are as lovable, entertaining, and emotionally resonant as they have ever been. Minor spoilers ahead!

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is the final chapter to the Gunn-directed trilogy, and as such is tasked with concluding each of the franchise’s character arcs in a meaningful and satisfactory way. The film focuses on the origins of Rocket, the genius, gun-toting talking raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, and performed by Gunn’s brother, Sean Gunn on set. The previous two films have hinted at a darker past for the character, however they have never gone into great detail until this installment.

The film begins with The Guardians living life on their newly acquired HQ, Knowhere. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is still mourning the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), while the rest of The Guardians team, Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Kraglin (also played by Sean Gunn), and newcomer Cosmo (voiced by Maria Bakalova) all work to rebuild the planet after Thanos ruined it in Avengers: Infinity War. The Guardian’s peace is interrupted when Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) attacks the group with the instructions to capture Rocket for the film’s antagonist, The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). Rocket is critically injured during the skirmish, however, the team is unable to heal him without activating a kill switch placed inside his chest to combat any attempts to alter the work done by his creator. Thus the Guardians must set out to find a way to bypass the kill switch and heal their friend before he dies.

Like the previous two “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is a wonderful mix of comedy, action, and heart. James Gunn has had a penchant for being able to ride this delicate line since the original film in 2014 — which set the default tone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after its release. However, unlike some of the other franchises within the MCU, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” excels in its ability to be comedic without undercutting its more dramatic moments, of which there are many.

This film, more so than its predecessors, is darker in tone. The story of Rocket’s creation is harrowing, and while much of the experimentation and cruelty is left up to the viewer’s imagination, aspects of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” are not for the faint of heart. That being said, Gunn does an amazing job of framing these sequences in ways where the more graphic imagery is hidden. Often we are only left to see the aftermath and results of the High Evolutionary’s experimentation, which for some, I suppose, might be worse. Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary is despicable. His calculated, yet chaotic, portrayal of the character and the way in which he revels in the cruelty of his scientific endeavors make his comeuppance that much sweeter.

Despite Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s darker elements, the film has a lot of levity and tenderness. As one would expect, the family dynamic between the Guardians team is still a joy to witness and laugh-out-loud hilarious at times. Each of the Guardians gets a moment of self-realization over the course of the film, which makes each of their conclusions incredibly satisfying. Karen Gillan’s Nebula in particular has had the most dramatic change since her first appearance in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Watching her transform from the abused daughter of Thanos to a self-actualized leader over the last 9 years has been one of the most fulfilling character arcs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

However, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is also expected to do some heavy lifting in regards to plot points introduced in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, a film which James Gunn neither wrote nor directed. In Avengers: Endgame, a 2014 version of Zoe Saldaña’s Gamora is brought forward in time to replace the present-day version of Gamora whom was killed in 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War.” This leads to a 180-degree shift in the dynamic between the character and the Guardians team by the time “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” begins. This new Gamora has none of the experiences shared between her and the Guardians from the previous films and thus has no connection to the team, nor any romantic interest in Peter Quill, whom is desperately trying to rekindle the flame between them. While this plot point could have been the focus of a film in and of itself and is clearly something thrust upon Gunn, he does what he can to incorporate it into the feature. By the end of the film, the Peter and Gamora relationship comes to a worthwhile conclusion and is a wonderful lesson in expectation and acceptance.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is not a perfect film, however, it is one of the best outings the Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced since the Infinity Saga’s conclusion in 2019. James Gunn deftly manages the comedy, heart, and action, and carefully and effectively navigates the darkest story elements the MCU has ever seen. Rocket’s backstory is heartbreaking but informs the character in a way that will make audiences love him even more, and each of the Guardians is given the conclusion they rightfully deserve. Thanks to strong direction, writing, and acting, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” as well as the first two films, will be remembered as one of, if not the, strongest trilogies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Grade: 4.5/5