Looking back, the most surprising success of Marvel’s hits was the tale of the most improbable family. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” reinforces this notion with a raucous and frequently emotional follow-up that convincingly feels like a fitting end, powered in no small measure by the shifting of writer-director James Gunn’s talents to rival DC.
Creating franchises around lesser-known heroes was always the most challenging aspect of Marvel’s cinematic strategy, making the 2014 “Guardians” success and its slightly underwhelming sequel a modest marvel. To support this, one needs to look no further than “Eternals,” another superhero team that didn’t perform as impressively.
The secret recipe to Gunn’s prior films was a blend of vibrant visuals, unique characters, thoughtfully chosen music, and a good dose of silliness. “Vol. 3” is abundant in these elements, as well as a darker narrative that delves deep into the history of Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), the unusually astute and vicious anthropomorphic raccoon, conveying an unexpectedly touching message about animal rights.
This installment of “Guardians” kicks off with Quill (Chris Pratt) in emotional turmoil due to his separation from Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), who returns after the blip with no recollection of their bond. His despair is interrupted, however, by a threat that mobilizes the team to protect one of their own, confronting the visually compelling character, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), an entity of immense power with an almost juvenile mind.
Adding to the feeling of the film being a lengthy farewell, Gunn – who, let’s not forget, was previously dismissed from the project due to controversial social media posts before being rehired – continually emphasizes the profound connection between significant characters, reminiscent of “Toy Story 3.” Still, “Guardians” also delights in the comical interactions among the towering Drax (Dave Bautista), empathetic Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and stern Nebula (Karen Gillan), often mirroring sibling rivalry.
This fun, as recently showcased in the “Guardians” holiday special, also extends to the virtually limitless song selection, moving beyond Quill’s childhood memories to establish an overall atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia.
Aside from being over-packed and somewhat extended, the main criticisms are the underutilization of Warlock and the generic characteristics of the main villain, the merciless madman known as the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). The villains have generally been the weak links in the series, and the closing credit scenes also fall into the barely-worth-watching category.
Nonetheless, following some doubts about Marvel’s unbeatable status due to less than stellar outcomes (both artistically and commercially) for “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and, to a lesser extent, the “Black Panther” sequel, “Guardians” feels like a renaissance. If it indeed marks the end of this series, at least temporarily, credit must be given to Gunn for delivering an affectionate goodbye with all guns blazing.
Its grand finale, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” effectively pays tribute to the unorthodox family that has captured audiences worldwide. Amidst the laughter and tears, it reminds us of the charm within the unexpected and the power of relationships. Even if it’s goodbye for now, the Guardians leave a legacy that will continue to resonate in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and beyond. As we bid them farewell, we do so with the same warmth and nostalgia that they’ve shared with us throughout their extraordinary journey.
