Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

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Edit Coming 08/10/25

Up to this point, the 'Guardians' movies have been a place to go to let loose and have a lot of fun. They had a somewhat serious edge to them at times, but for the most part, they have been flashy action sci-fi comedies complete with amazing retro soundtracks. While this is still all of that, however, this one has a much darker side to it. The main story behind 'Vol 3' here is built around Rocket and his past, and we finally get a glimpse into what exactly happened to him. But admittedly, some of it can be a bit tough to watch, bringing the movie's dark side to the front.

To kick this off, I suggest watching the 'Guardians Christmas Special' before going into this, or at least brushing up on what happened and what was revealed. It's not a huge deal; it just covers a few details that are mentioned sort of out of left field here. Anyway, the film opens with a brief flashback to the beginning of the creation of Rocket (Bradley Cooper/Noa Raskin), then brings us to the present day where, at the Guardians HQ in Knowhere, Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is dwelling on the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana). The others, now including Rocket, Groot (Vin Diesel), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista), are constantly taking care of him.

However, this little bridge-over scene is suddenly interrupted when Knowhere is attacked by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), a Sovereign warrior created by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), as seen in an end-credit scene in 'Vol 2'. Adam doesn't quite get to his target but seriously wounds him - Rocket. As the Guardians tend to his wounds, they can't, as there has been a kill switch implanted inside him from a company called OrgoCorp, specifically by a being known as the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), whom we eventually learn is after Rocket for his brilliant brain. The Guardians soon head to OrgoCorp to infiltrate it and get their hands on an override code for their furry friend.

Eventually, the crew is joined by Gamora, now a Ravager, and still has no recollection of Quill since the brief events shared with him in 'Endgame.' This provides us with our essential B-story involving Quill is heartache, knowing his Gamora is now dead, yet another version of her is standing right in front of him, who seemingly wants no part of him. She's essentially the Gamora we remember from the beginning of all this. The film does a good job of carrying this out by making it the B-story to this and making the A-story about Rocket's past, which is something any 'Guardians' fan has been curious about since day one.

Speaking of Rocket's backstory, in a series of flashbacks, we learn that he was created by the High Evolutionary in an attempt to make a perfect species to bring to a new, perfect world he calls "Counter Earth." Here, we also meet the somewhat creepy but very kind friends Rocket once had, each with their own self-proclaimed name: an otter named Lylla (Linda Cardellini), a walrus named Teefs (Asim Chaudhry) and a bunny named Floor (Mikaela Hoover). As the High Evolutionary is still after this perfect world, he's after Rocket's brilliant, techie brain and sent the almighty Adam Warlock to find him.

One of my favourite parts of the movie actually also ends up being my biggest criticism. Adam Warlock and his relationship with his Mother are a good chunk of this comedy. Adam is damn near a God, but he does act like a bit of a bumblebutt in this. He's not necessarily on a Drax level (which is still hilarious here), but at the very least, he's naive. So what's the problem? Well, there's no REAL reason for him to be here other than to fulfill the teaser we were left with several years ago. Ultimately, he just destroys a bunch of stuff and has some funny dialogue. I feel like if they made him too serious, this movie would have lost points. He's a risk who will pay off for some but not others.

With all that said, however, I came out of it very happy with the end result. The 'Guardians' are still a lot of fun to watch, as they always have been, with great visuals, lovable characters and a killer soundtrack (although I may put this one on the bottom of the list). The best use of the soundtrack here is the Beastie Boys: "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn." There's a scene involving it that might be the most kick-ass 'Guardians' scene they've ever filmed. The film's flaws are pretty easy for me to overlook, considering the comedy and heart put into it seems to cancel out anything particularly "bad" about it. I could sit here and get nitpicky, but I simply can't when this is the third in a series of films that rounds out an incredible trilogy. It's easily one of the best titles since 'Endgame'!

MID-CREDITS SCENE: A new 'Guardians of the Galaxy' team is formed, which includes Rocket and Groot along with Kraglin, Cosmo, Adam Warlock and his pet Blurp, and one of the rescued Star Children named Phyla.
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5/5

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