Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a 2023 American science fiction space opera film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy, produced by Marvel Studios, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the third and final installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy film trilogy, the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), and the 32nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is written and directed by James Gunn and stars an ensemble cast featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bakalova, and Sylvester Stallone. (Wikipedia)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has a simple enough premise. Rocket is critically injured by Adam Warlock in a kidnapping attempt and the Guardians have to figure out how to get pass his genetic anomalies in order to save him. This brings the Guardians into direct conflict with the High Evolutionary, a powerful being that had genetically engineered Rocket, as well as the Sovereign (whom the Guardians encountered in Vol.2) and who had sent Warlock to recover Rocket on the High Evolutionary’s behalf.
This quest involves several side missions that once more brings back a past version of Gamora – as seen in Avengers: Endgame – into Peter Quill’s orbit, and the Guardians have to overcome several daunting obstacles to achieve their aim, which test their individual and collective will, cohesion and commitment throughout the duration of this highly entertaining movie. Writer-director James Gunn has done an excellent job in completing the trilogy in an exciting and heartfelt manner, with Rocket at its core.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a breath of fresh air after years of declining quality from the MCU. Ironic considering that the movie is also Gunn’s fond farewell to the MCU, as he turns his attention to reviving the fortunes of Marvel’s competitor DC. It does seem that this movie closes the MCU chapter definitively as the rest of the Marvel movies (and streaming TV series) struggle to engage and entertain. Whatever happens to the MCU, this is the perfect end to an outstanding science fiction space opera trilogy.
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