In the seventh and potentially final appearance of this ragtag superhero team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG): Volume 3 is an intergalactic explosion of eccentricity and contrived emotion.
Directed by James Gunn, this film marks his departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he moves on to helm Warner Bros/DC films. Remaining loyal to his friends, Gunn ensures everyone in his sphere of influence has a speaking role, with appearances from longtime pals Nathan Fillion, Gregg Henry, brother Sean Gunn, wife Jennifer Holland, and others.
As Gunn exits, he attempts to bring as much closure as possible to the unique world he helped create. However, it is weighed down by unresolved plot threads and gratuitous nostalgia, which ultimately become GOTG‘s Achilles heel.
The first film was fantastic, with genuine character development, lighthearted humor, and a well-integrated soundtrack. In contrast, Volume 2 is the weakest of the trilogy. It lacks a cohesive villain and divides the team, resulting in a finale bogged down by excessive CGI and unresolved emotional conflicts.
Volume 3 packs in emotional moments, but struggles to recreate the original chemistry of the team. The Guardians’ mission this time revolves around saving Rocket Raccoon, who is in a coma-like state for much of the film. While this decision delivers a heartfelt origin story for Rocket, it also removes a crucial element of the team’s dynamic, leaving the remaining members feeling disjointed.
New characters introduced in Volume 2, such as Mantis and Nebula, fail to add the same level of irreverence as previous members. Meanwhile, the film leans heavily on nostalgia, forcing the audience to revisit an early 1980s Earth-like setting, which feels out of place in the story.
Chukwudi Iwuji’s performance as the villain, The High Evolutionary, is a highlight, but his casting reveals Gunn’s tendency to rely on familiar collaborators. The film also suffers from forced relationships, such as Starlord’s unconvincing bond with Gamora and repeated scenes of characters being rescued from space.
The soundtrack in GOTG 3 feels more random than its predecessors, with a mix of songs from different eras that don’t quite fit the nostalgic tone established by the previous films. The inclusion of various elements from previous movies, such as the Ravagers, Abilisks, Adam Warlock, and the Sovereign, feels more like an obligation than a meaningful addition to the story.
Despite its flaws, GOTG 3 has its bright spots. Dave Bautista’s Drax is more entertaining than ever, and the film introduces exciting new worlds. However, the overall experience suggests that Rocket Raccoon could have carried his own spinoff instead of being shoehorned into the final entry of this Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. While GOTG 3 provides some closure for MCU Phase 1, it falls short of the high bar set by the first film.
Source: https://thoughtcatalog.com/brandon-trones/2023/05/guardians-of-the-galaxy-volume-3-bids-farewell-to-mcu-phase-1/