Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Movie Review

Synopsis:

With his team of Guardians, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) rallies them to defend the universe. On one of their missions, Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is close to death. As a result, the Guardians must embark on a mission to save him. If unsuccessful, this could lead to the end of the Guardians themselves.

Review:

Director James Gunn returned to helm the third, and final Guardians of the Galaxy film.

With Guardians Vol. 3, Gunn brings a similar approach. This is evident in his storytelling approach and action.

Furthermore, this includes his use of music throughout these sequences.

Where Guardians Vol. 3 falters is in its first half, which is inconsistent from a tonal standpoint.

As the Guardians’ primary mission is to save Rocket, this should be a priority.

Instead, James Gunn depends on the same predictable MCU-style humor. As expected, this adds very little to the proceedings.

This approach to humor is even more jarring. This is considering that Gunn takes a very dark route with Rocket Raccoon’s backstory.

This storyline shows promise, with genuine care for its dialogue and character interactions. It also highlights the film's tonal inconsistencies.

As with other members of the Guardians, each one has more development in this entry.

Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, for example, has more background on his family heritage.

Zoe Saldana’s Gamora also returns, even if she isn’t the same version that audiences are familiar with.

Other returning characters include Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), and Drax (Dave Bautista).

It also brings back Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Nebula (Karen Gillan).

As a whole, Groot isn’t used often, aside from the action sequences. Other members of the Guardians are more of the focus in this entry.

Karen Gillan as Nebula, for example, is the film’s most consistent performance. This film's other characters are also above-average.

While Dave Bautista’s Drax is there for “laughs” in the first half, he’s given more of a purpose in the final act of the film.

Pom Klementieff’s Mantis is also given more to do in Guardians Vol. 3, such as showcasing more of her acrobatic abilities and mind-control powers.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's antagonists, though, are less consistent.

This film’s primary antagonist is The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). Chukwudi gives an above-average performance, though has a simplistic motive.

As a character, Chukwudi’s The High Evolutionary showed promise.

This is evident, with the actor displaying an unnerving approach to his performance.

All the character accomplishes is displaying his vague set of telekinetic, energy-based abilities.

Otherwise, all Chukwudi does is shout often, without much substance behind those words.

Yet another character in the film is a being with cosmic powers, known as Adam Warlock (Will Poulter).

Referenced in a post-credits scene for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), audiences wondered about his integration into the third installment.

As a whole, Warlock is a wasted presence, without a clear purpose. His one purpose is “retrieving an important item or character” during the action.

This film’s action sequences have the same effects-heavy action audiences should expect.

Vol. 3's action gets a little more creative later on. In its first half, it has some very cheap-looking backgrounds and effects.

This film's soundtrack is energetic, lighthearted, and fun. As a result, this adds more to action sequences.

To be clear, most of it is a music compilation. Regardless, its integration should be more than enough to entertain Marvel fans.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 provides good moments with its established Guardians.

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, a.k.a Star-Lord is well-suited to his character at this point. He also gives a consistent performance.

Other Guardians members, such as Nebula, Mantis, and Drax, are also offered more in this film.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's problems are Chukwudi Iwuji’s The High Evolutionary and Adam Warlock.

It also has an inconsistent balance of tone during the first half.

Some of the movie’s visual effects also look unfinished during the first act. This may have been due to time constraints.

Elements that do work are the soundtrack and a “somewhat” more consistent second half.

As a whole, Guardians Vol. 3 should prove to be an above-average time for Marvel fans. This is despite its very familiar MCU formula.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 7/10

Story - 6/10

Action - 6/10

CGI and visual effects - 6/10

Soundtrack - 7/10

Overall score: 6.4 out of 10