In this third installment, our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), must rally his team, including Nebula (Karen Gillan), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) et. al. around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them. Will they succeed, or will it all go down the drain in an admirable attempt?
Others to round out the cast are Vin Diesel as voice of Groot, Bradley Cooper as voice of Rocket, Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Revolutionary, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord, Maria Bakalova as voice of Cosmo the Spacedog, Sean Gunn as on-set Rocket and Austin Freeman as on-set Groot.
As with the original and Vol. 2, this was directed brilliantly by James Gunn ("Slither" '06, "Super" '10, "Movie 43" (segment "Beezel") '13, "Guardians of the Galaxy" '14, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" '17, "The Suicide Squad" '21) plus TV, a TV short, videos and a short. Being the creator of the story of this, it's no wonder that Gunn would know exactly what it takes to motivate his actors when it comes to them extracting the emotions to pull the audience into their world. No other director could've pulled this off seeing as the comraderie between he and his actors are rock solid. It was also equally incredibly well written by James Gunn ("Tromeo and Juliet" '96, "The Specials" 2000, Thir13en Ghosts" '01, "Scooby-Doo" '02, "Dawn of the Dead" '04, "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" '04, "LolliLove" (uncredited) '04, "Slither" '06, "Super" '10, "Movie 43" (segment "Beezel") '13, "Guardians of the Galaxy" '14, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" '17, "The Suicide Squad" '21) plus TV, shorts, video games and a video short. With all the obstacles that this production had to contend with: setbacks due to covid and the subsequent differences between Disney and Gunn, it is a testimony that this film was 1) made, and 2) was made with the quality it obtained. Because of the difference between Disney (who owns Marvel) and Gunn, Disney fired Gunn before principle photography was to start. Apparently, if it wasn't for a huge outcry from the public and a letter from the cast and crew of the production, Disney would've gotten another director/writer and it would've flopped. The differences were apparently political, and I really wish that companies (whether movies or anything else) would stow their politics so they do their job. Enough said about that. This script was cohesive, tight, concise and well thought out. But, considering this is Gunn's baby, it's no wonder it is as good as it is and will undoubtedly make a ton of money. And the visual effects predominantly created by Weta Digital, ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic), Framestore and SPI (Sony Pictures Imageworks) were incredible especially seeing them on a huge screen.
Certainly if you like the other two Guardians films, you'll love this one. It's probably the best of the trilogy as mentioned prior. This film is the reason why we all go to the movies: TO BE ENTERTAINED! Will this win any Oscars except for visuals come that time? Probably not, but who cares? This is the quintessential escapism film replete with action, humor, explosives, adrenaline all with a 'family' striving to stay together. Grab the popcorn and have fun with this. I sure did!
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 150mins.
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