Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

UK Release Date. 3 May 2023
Certification. 12A

Running Time. 2 hours 30 mins
Director. James Gunn
Cast. Maria Bakalova, Dave Bautista, Linda Cardellini, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Debicki, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Pom Klementieff, Will Poulter, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña.
Rating. 64%

Review.

When Guardians Of The Galaxy first arrived in cinemas in 2014, I suspect not even the most fervent Marvel Comics fan would have predicted their impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A decade later, it is difficult to imagine the Marvel Cinematic Universe without them. But all good things must, apparently, come to an end and writer and director, James Gunn has indicated that Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 will be the final outing for the Guardians of the Galaxy, as Gunn prepares to direct the upcoming Superman reboot, Superman: Legacy for the DC Universe.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 opens in a downbeat mood. Stagnating in the mining colony of Knowhere, a sombre and world-weary Rocket appears lost (or at least to have lost his mojo) and Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) staves off depression with alcohol. The melancholic mood is established by an acoustic version of Radiohead's 'Creep' over the opening credits.

But fear not, the mix tape for Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 isn't a C90 grunge fest, as the Guardians of the Galaxy head to the Orgoscope to save Rocket as Rainbow's 'Since You've Been Gone' lifts the mood. Throughout the trilogy, Gunn has had a wonderful, knack for letting middle of the road anthems help tell his story.

Yes, there is plenty to enjoy in the 2 hours 30 mins run time, but the film is way too long, especially Rocket's origin story about the atrocities of animal experimentation. A storyline that is emotive and overtly sentimental, but ultimately uncompelling. 

Indeed, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 suffers from too much character interplay and too little action. By now, the audience is familiar with these cherished Marvel Cinematic Universe characters. In many ways, what elevates a good superhero film from pack is the villain (e.g. Thanos, Joker, Loki, Magneto, Winter Soldier, even Ronan the Accuser). However, the villain in Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3, the generic High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) is particularly weak. 

For me, the final instalment is an unsatisfactory conclusion to the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.

Intriguingly, the end credit scene proclaims, "The legendary Star-Lord will return." So maybe, just maybe?