A lot has changed for the Guardians since the blip brought back all those that Thanos snapped away. They have taken over Nowhere, turned it into a haven for refugees and lost souls, and in the process become de facto governors of this potentially smelly colony. They've even got a cool new ship - the 'Bowie' - and discovered the spirit of Christmas. Not that any of this has helped Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who is still struggling with the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana). But when Rocket (Bradley Cooper) is badly wounded in an attack, the gang head off in search of the technology that could save their friend, and in so doing draw the attention of someone from Rocket's past; the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji).
It would seem that James Gunn's parting gift to Marvel before going on to head up DC Studios was to give them their mojo back. Put simply, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a return to form for the MCU. The last couple of movies have been a tad under par for the studio, having received mixed reviews. Although Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was certainly a step in the right direction. The same goes for their TV outings on Disney+, which have left some fans unhappy, although I've certainly enjoyed them. But despite being another galaxy spanning adventure, Vol. 3 also brings the MCU back to basics; a colourful band of (sometimes) heroes tidying up the mess they've made.
Over several movies and phases we have watched this rag-tag bunch of reprobates come together as a team and grow into the family they all needed. Now they have to fight for it, because Vol. 3 isn't so much about saving the galaxy as it is about the Guardians saving each other. Which does make it another rip-roaring adventure across the galaxy we all want, but one with real heart... not to mention plenty of hilarious bickering, unorthodox action - including a very cool corridor fight (the MCU's specialty), and a whole lot of 'WTF?' moments. All of which is set, unsurprisingly, to another epic soundtrack.
There's no denying that every one of the Guardians is troubled in some way, damaged even. Over their many adventures we have come to learn just how damaged they are, and why. But one of them has always hidden his troubles behind a rather prickly personality and an arsehole's approach to pretty much everything. The poor little trash panda doesn't even know he's a raccoon, for crying out loud. In many ways Vol. 3 is Rocket (Bradley Cooper)'s story, in that as much as it is about saving him, it's also about where he comes from and how that made him who he is. Although it is a shame he's out of action for such a large chunk of the main story.
Which is what sets this movie apart from the Guardians other adventures; whereas before the team have endured, encountered and witnessed some pretty messed up stuff, this latest outing truly is the stuff of nightmares. Totally unfiltered Gunn, if you will. Even Nebula (Karen Gillan) admits that Rocket has been through a lot worse than even she. Vol. 3 will actually change how you see Rocket, and all of the Guardians to a degree. And yet it is still an exciting, hilarious, ridiculous, heart-warming tale. One that only James Gunn and the Guardians of the Galaxy could conjure. Seriously though, this is the first MCU movie that I would advise parents to check out before letting their kids see it. And I am in no way talking about the controversial first F-Bomb, which actually felt rather appropriate in that moment.
The man we have to thank for all this nightmare fuel, however, is the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a giant douche of galactic proportions with the most epic of god complexes - all of which Iwuji plays brilliantly, scarily so at times. He seeks to create the perfect species, and it would appear that he still needs Rocket to complete his work, putting him on a collision course with the Guardians. But the High Evolutionary isn't the only new player in the game. As well as a series of fun cameos, Will Poulter enters the galaxy as Adam Warlock; the Sovereign's weapon of revenge against the Guardians. He is not what I expected - apart from being rather powerful - and his ability to create havoc is both surprising and very entertaining. Needless to say, you never really know what he's going to do next, and Poulter proves to be the perfect choice for the role.
There is definitely a sense of coming full circle to Vol. 3, and somehow it feels like just another chapter, at least for some of the Guardians. Nothing is wrapped up in a tidy bow, as you might expect. Like the Quill/Gamora relationship. Can you imagine trying to get your head around such a paradox? Let alone resolving it over the course of one movie. So in a rather clever move, Gunn simply plays with their relationship, showing us in hilarious fashion how it feels for both of them as they are forced together once more. All this gives the movie a natural feel, a sense of normalcy - as much as you can for a story about a band of space pirates living in the decapitated head of a long dead celestial being, anyway. However, there's definitely a hint that their story will continue in the MCU. Who knows what that would look like without James Gunn in the mix? But for now, he's definitely given the MCU its mojo back.
For both Marvel and the Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn has gone out with a bang. Vol. 3 is exactly the kind of insane, galaxy spanning adventure we want from our favourite band of space pirates/sometimes heroes. Only more emotional and horrifying than before. It marks both the end of an era and the potential start of something new. The only question is; what would a Guardians movie look like without James Gunn?
9.5/10
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