Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the highly anticipated sequel to the previous two entries, is finally coming to theaters. As a major fan of the series, I can confidently say that the movie was absolutely fantastic and lived up to, and also exceeded my expectations. It is, in my opinion, the second-best entry in the franchise behind Vol. 2 (a film I have in my Top 5 MCU).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: standouts and early impressions
The entire cast, as usual, did a great job in bringing their respective characters to life. However, I have to give special props to Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Nebula (Karen Gillan), and Gamora (Zoe Saldana).
Rocket, in particular, had a much more significant role this time around, and Cooper’s voice acting was exceptional. Nebula also had a more prominent part to play, and Gillan did an excellent job of portraying her character’s emotional journey. Saldana’s Gamora, meanwhile, continued to be a compelling character, and her interactions with the rest of the Guardians were a pleasure to watch.
One of the standout features of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as always with this franchise, was its soundtrack. It is one of, if not the best, in Marvel history. The film uses music extensively, but it never feels excessive. Instead, it’s perfectly woven into the story and adds to the overall tone of the film.
Don’t get too excited though, as an animal lover, I must warn you that this movie will be hard to watch at times. The film delves deeper into Rocket’s past, and we see a side of the character that is genuinely saddening. It adds a layer of emotional depth to the film and makes it all the more impactful.
The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) the film’s primary antagonist, is easily the best villain in the Guardians franchise. He is a formidable foe who poses a genuine threat to the Guardians, and his motivations are somewhat well-defined. The High Evolutionary is a character who will stick with you long after the movie is over.
Despite its close to three-hour runtime, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 never feels bloated or dragged out. Instead, it feels like the perfect length for the story it’s trying to tell. The pacing is excellent, and the movie never feels like it’s rushing or taking too long to get to where it’s going.
As someone who grew up with these characters, I found myself growing even more attached to them after watching this film. The movie does an excellent job of exploring the dynamics between the Guardians, and it’s easy to see why they’ve become such a beloved group of characters over the years.
Finally, I MUST mention that I loved Cosmo the Space Dog, who is voiced by Maria Bakalova. She was a fun addition to the movie and added to the overall sense of whimsy that the Guardians franchise is known for.
Vol. 3 is a must-see entry in James Gunn’s GotG films
In conclusion, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a must-see for fans of the franchise. It’s a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel a whole range of emotions. It’s a testament to the talent of everyone involved in its production, and it’s a fitting conclusion to the story of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
My rating for this film:
★★★★ / ♥♥♥♥♥
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 arrives in theaters May 5, 2023! Are you planning to see it? Let us know on Twitter @mycosmiccircus or The Cosmic Circus Discord!
[Editor’s Note: This article was written by Elijah Boxhill.]
While you’re here, check out some of our many Guardians of the Galaxy articles and guides here or via the links below!
Cosmic Circle Ep. 27: Journey to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Comics Reading Guide
