IronWatcher’s review published on Letterboxd:
Watched in the cinema (62nd visit in 2023)
Is it here after all, the much-heralded tedium of the superhero comic action film? After this segment dominated theaters for a long time and produced countless big hits, box-office results have recently been sobering. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" still brought in a respectable 850 million U.S. dollars at the box office - but its predecessor had made 500 million more. While this could still be excused with the circumstances, it went on increasingly badly afterwards. "Black Adam" and "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" disappointed. "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" also fell far short of expectations, all the more so since the film introduced Kang, the Avengers' next big villain. With that, all eyes are on "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," which not only has to save the galaxy, but also a battered franchise.
For once, it's not the galaxy that has to be saved. The third film of the somewhat different team of heroes also features an insane villain. However, he doesn't want to destroy everything or conquer it for himself. Rather, High Evolutionary has decided to oppose natural evolution with scientific evolution. His goal is to create perfect beings that can live in harmony with each other. This is an interesting alternative to the usual motivations. In fact, the antagonist is even one of the most exciting in the MCU's now 15-year history. This is not only because of the moral questions that this character raises, somewhat reminiscent of Thanos, the main villain of the first phases. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" also benefits from Chukwudi Iwuji, who embodies the character's ambivalence well.
But there's nothing wrong with the ensemble anyway. Already "Guardians of the Galaxy " and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" benefited from the incredible chemistry of the actors and actresses, who constantly threw the balls to each other. The story quickly became a minor matter, it was just fun to roam around with this wildly diverse troupe and experience absurd adventures. The third part is similar, although there is already a certain wear and tear. It lacks a bit of the freshness of the past, there's already a lot of routine in it. That doesn't mean that there is permanent harmony all of a sudden. In fact, there is quite a lot of shouting here. It's not just about little side blows or nasty sayings, there's a lot of emotion packed into the conflicts.
This is then also what remains the strongest of the film: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is a highly emotional adventure that is very much about friendship and family. To some extent, of course, that was already the case with the predecessors. Here, however, a whole new level is added. For good reason, since the third part marks a clear break in the series. Not only director and screenwriter James Gunn says goodbye to the franchise, because he changes to the competing DC Comics, for which he had previously been responsible for "The Suicide Squad" and "Peacemaker". Also a large part of the troupe has already announced that after this film is over. Further parts are not excluded. But they would be made by others and work with other characters.
That, too, will cause a tear or two at the end. The most moving moments don't even belong to the established faces that can be seen here. Rather, it's Rocket's backstory, told in flashbacks, that's heavy on the heart. In fact, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is one of the most touching friendship-themed films seen in recent years. That doesn't mean you have to miss out on the other usual components. There is again a lot of action, great spectacle, grotesque creatures. And, of course, a lot of music: among others, In the Meantime by Spacehog, Come And Get Your Love by Redbone and Creep by Radiohead and can be heard this time. The mixture is not new, but works again very well. And when the Guardians move heaven and hell to save a single friend, you actually believe in the end that everything can be okay. Not only for superhero movies and cinema, but the whole rest of the galaxy, as strange and stupid as this may be.
