Film: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Sylvester Stallone, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki

Director: James Gunn

Rating: 3.5 Moons

The highly-anticipated James Gunn’s directorial Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is finally here and brings back some of our most beloved superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The franchise has been going on for almost a decade now and this new installment takes place after the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. It’s been nearly six years since the last Guardians film but the director quickly reminds fans why they fell in love with the franchise in the first place. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, Gunn does not present a perfect film or even a very noteworthy one which you’ll be happy to revisit again, but he does make it entertaining, emotional and engaging.

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The film takes off from where we left the Guardians after Endgame, in emotional disarray. Peter Quill aka Star Lord (Chris Pratt) is still moping on having loved and lost Gamora (Zoe Saldana), who was killed in Avengers: Infinity War but now exists as an alternate self from him and the rest of the group; she has no memory of their past relationship and finds herself as an ally of the Ravagers, led by Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone). On the other hand, Nebula (Karen Gillan), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel) are very much part of the Guardians group and try to pick up the pieces and keep Quill intact.

The things take a turn when a mysterious superhuman, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) attacks and injures Rocket (Bradley Cooper) the team swings into action to save their furry, little, cynical friend. They are bewildered to find that their raccoon pal has a vitally important data chip implanted into him with a ‘kill switch’ that prevents him from undergoing any remedial surgery or treatment and inadvertently discovers his past. They find out how and why Rocket is like the way he is and discover that he is a bioform invented by the sinister High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) who was using him as a plan to develop a new post-earthling superior race. The Guardians find out that Rocket is a genius whose vision the High Evolutionary needs, to work with his high priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). Although the team has Rocket’s interest at heart, it becomes clear that they must save the future of the galaxy that is at stake.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 belongs to Rocket as it’s his backstory, the same way the second one was about Quill. We meet a young Rocket and his group of friends and get to know how he became what he is now, much against his own wishes. However, Gunn gives ample footage to all the Guardians and provide them with their own moments to shine and come to the fore from the background of the Avengers. The film hinges a lot on emotions but it does not get overbearing. The jokes are ample and it never forgets to have fun. The dialogues are succinct, tinged with humour and supports well the high-octane action sequences.

The scene stealer turns out be Drax (Dave Bautista) with his violent and unsentimental demeanour but inadvertently becomes endearing and a fan favourite with his comic skills. GotGVol3 gives everyone from Groot to Drax and Mantis to Gamora to Nebula their 30 seconds in the sun, so that no principle character feels forgotten and taken for granted.

The film is a tad long at 2 hours and 30 minutes but keeps the attention intact as the narrative does not stall. The visual effects and action sequences are impressive and manage to support the story and not overwhelm it. What works for the Guardians is also the fact that despite the time gap it ropes in audience almost immediately, reconnecting us to our beloved, idiotic characters. The mix tape that was so integral to Quill’s backstory takes on the form of an ipod here; the music selection and their placement in the film drives the quirkiness of the plot and does a phenomenal job in making the film enjoyable.

However, the acting department is not something to root for. Chris Pratt feels jaded; Bradley Cooper brings new element to Rocket but does not leave much impact. Karen Gillan and Sean Gunn provide some noteworthy moments, but that’s about it. Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary does not seem to be menacing enough and we never get to know a valid reason for his experiments. His high-pitched performance seems caricaturish and whiny.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, as said earlier is not a perfect film and nor will it be remembered for eons to come but still it is one of the best that has come from the Marvel stable in the recent times. It is entertaining and it’s fun to watch our Guardians take on the mantle of saving the galaxy one last time; or is it really the last time, only time will tell.

PeepingMoon.com gives Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, 3.5 Moons.