By Bradley Griffith
This is the end of an era — the end of one of the greatest trilogies in film history. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” marks the end of the series, as well as the end of the Guardians as we know them. Thankfully, they a got fantastic send off. “Vol. 3” is now available only in theaters, but that’s where his film needs to be seen anyway, on the biggest screen possible.
The Guardians of the Galaxy are living a somewhat peaceful life as the movie opens. They have established a base of operations on Knowhere. They are mostly relaxing, trying to make something of their home, trying to make it a better place. Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), is drowning his sorrows for losing the love of his life, Gamora (Zoe Saldana).
Then Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) makes an appearance. He has been sent to capture Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper). Quill, Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) manage to fight off Warlock and send him on his way, but not before Rocket is seriously injured.
A kill switch implanted in Rocket years ago by the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) was activated by the attack. The only way to heal Rocket is to get his to get the override code for the kill switch. To get the code the Guardians must infiltrate Orgocorp’s headquarters and defy the High Evolutionary himself. They will have to beat all the odds stacked against them.
While this rescue effort is underway, in his damaged state Rocket remembers his life before the Guardians. He remembers being experimented on by the High Evolutionary. He remembers the torture he was subjected to in order for the High Evolutionary to make a “perfect” society. One thing is clear: once the Guardians manage to revive Rocket, they must stop the High Evolutionary.
The “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies have many great qualities. There’s great action, great acting, humor and even great character arcs. But, above all else, the “Guardians” movies are fun. You can always count on having a smile on your face before, during and after a “Guardians” movie. “Vol. 3” is no different. I, and all the other hundred people in the theater, had a great time. The movie is a lot of fun.
“Vol. 3” brings back all the characters you know and love. Star-Lord, Rocket, Drax, Groot, Nebula, Mantis and Gamora (albeit a different version of Gamora) return for the franchise finale. I’m biased, but Star-Lord is my favorite and always will be. Chris Pratt finds a way to entertain me and make me laugh in virtually everything he does, which is why he’s one of my favorite actors.
While Karen Gillan’s Nebula plays a much more prominent role in this film, the whole film revolves around Rocket and his origins. While this means that Rocket’s memories play a large part in the movie, adult Rocket is not quite in this movie as much as the other characters. It’s interesting (and sad) to see how Rocket went from a regular raccoon to a genius talking raccoon.
This movie is filled with humor, wall-to-wall sci-fi action and the usual hijinks of a “Guardians of the Galaxy” film. In the pantheon of the Guardians movies, “Vol. 3” is definitely better than the second movie, but it can’t compare to the original. The first film in the series was a masterpiece. This film is very good, but not quite to that level.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” gives fans what they want most from a movie. It’s a great opportunity to have fun with your family, friends and strangers in a movie theater. It’s what going to the movies should be. The film provides a superb ending to a fantastic trilogy.
Grade: A-
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive/drug references and thematic elements.