MartyK0015mp’s review published on Letterboxd:
We'll all fly away together... Into the forever and beautiful sky.
First time watching.
Odeon Luxe - ISense.
+ Still reeling from the aftermath of the blip, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) must rally his team once one to defend the universe, including one of their own - a mission that could spell the end of the Guardians if not successful.
There was a time where 'Guardians Vol.3' seemed like it wasn't going to happen due to the production history - especially when Disney fired James Gunn over decades old tweets, and then reports were either about Taika Waititi was going to take over the project, Dave Bautista was going to ask Marvel to release him from his contract if they didn't use Gunn's script it just seemed like we would never see this bunch of misfits again.
Thankfully, Disney came to their senses and re-hired Gunn. Only after he signed up with DC so the film was once again delayed as he was planning to start his 'Suicide Squad' film so it had to start production after Gunn fished 'TSS' and during the middle of the COVID pandemic.
Now we are in 2023, I have finally seen the conclusion to this trilogy with James Gunn back at the helm, and well, not only is this a fantastic book-end to these set of films, it completely broke my heart into a thousand pieces, which I didn't expect it to do. 💔 Not something I expected to happen when you see the first screening on opening day of 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3' on an Wednesday morning at 9:30am.
James Gunn knows these characters inside out, it only had to be him directing 'Vol. 3'. He has managed to give closure to his characters with satisfying endings to their character arcs. Quill, Nebula, Gamora, Drax, all get their well deserved endings. Chris Pratt as Star-Lord's performance feels more broken and vulnerable which delivers his best performance probably in his career up to this point. Dave Bautista is still amazing as Drax and his chemistry with Pom Klementieff is still great to watch given their back and forwards qiffs was the standouts of the Holiday special. There wasnt much improvement that Zoe Saldaña could have done with Gamora. Karen Gillan as Nebula is someone that keeps improving in each film and she is such an fantastic character in this film, another standout. Her and Pratt had some great moments shared between the pair. I can't add much to Vin Diesel as Groot because, well you know.... He's Groot what more can I say? Ha. Sean Gunn is fine, he does have his own arc that is compeleted by the end.
Will Poulter as Adam Warlock was ok. Didn't blow me away, he didn't have much involvement in the story than what some people are going to expect. But was a fine addition to the cast.
But the most important character in the whole film is actually Rocket Raccoon voiced always by Bradley Cooper, and he is the MVP of the film.
Gunn wanted to tell Rocket's backstory and this is where the film completely broke my heart. Rocket's backstory is one of the most devastating and heartbreaking backstories ever. Used as flashbacks throughout the film to understand more of his background, I'm not joking when I say it broke my heart. Like, I literally broke into tears, I was sat in my cinema seat crying my eyes out. If you get upset about animal cruelty then this is an trigger warning to everyone that's all I'm going to say. As an dog/animal lover, this was just heartbreaking to see, knowing there are places in the real world that does this to those poor and innocent animals. 💔
Add to that case, it is the darkest MCU film just with the themes it deals with it has a slight edge to it. Definitely not the average child friendly MCU film - right from the opening scene, Gunn sets the tone which isn't going to be like the previous 'GOTG' films. No one is safe, the stakes are raised higher than before. Gunn leaves you wondering who won't make it, and that's the tone being set in place for the whole film.
Even the darkest MCU film can still have humour, and Gunn still brings the humour we all expect from an Marvel film and especially an Gunn comic book film. He also managed to find the right balance of when humour was needed and not needed. Maybe there was couple of times where he did add humour which wasn't necessary but other than that, found the right balance.
For having an runtime of 2hours and 30mins I didn't feel the runtime, and it didn't feel bloated imo.
I also have to say that it feels like James Gunn is improving as an director from every film he makes. He definitely got the best out of his actors for this film. And there is a very cool one-shot action set piece in the third act.
James Gunn is known to collab with many of his friends and co-workers. One of these collaborations is actor Chukwudi Iwuji, who he worked with Gunn recently on the 'Peacemaker' TV show and here he plays the High Evolutionary. No doubt that in terms of being pure evil, then the High Evolutionary is the most evil of the Guardians villains. He is pure despicable and Iwuji plays the role with such menace.
Another recent DC project collaboration was Gunn and music composer John Murphy, who did the score for 'The Suicide Sqaud', and they have teamed up again. I do feel like the score for 'TSS' is better than the score for 'GOTG Vol. 3' though.
In this current age of blockbuster films overusing greenscreen to the point where it's just becoming ridiculous to the point where the visual effects artists are working with shit deadlines and being overworked (finger pointing at you Marvel), and yeah 'Vol. 3' does relay heavy on greenscreen, but here I thought the VFXs were incredible and it was hard for me to spot any issues to criticise. The action sequences look incredible. And the blend of visual effects with practical effects worked well together. The CGI/practical effects of the baby animals throught the film are incredible.
The cinematography, along with it's predecessors, is vibrant and isn't dull like other MCU films out there...
Finally, I have to say that this is probably the weakest soundtrack of the three 'Guardians' films, but that sounds like an massive issue, believe me, it's not. It's just the first two are two of the greatest soundtracks in film history it would always be an hard task of achieving a perfect 3/3 on the soundtracks.
Marvel Studios still isn't pulling me back into their good books, but there is still hope down the line for future Phase 5 projects...
Overall, I might have to say that this is my least favourite of the 'Guardians' films, but with all three being 4.5* rated it's really just down to personal opinion at the end of the day.
Thank you James Gunn, for not just bringing one of the greatest trilogies ever made, but by bringing us comic book fans one of the greatest comic book trilogies ever made!! 🥰 I'm going to miss this group, as they were...
We are forever grateful to you James, you enjoyed your time with Marvel, now keep your DC success going.
The summer season is now here folks. Bring on the big budget films.... I just hope no other films breaks my heart the way 'GOTG Vol. 3' did.
🦝
Sylvester Stallone: boxd.it/51ziM
2023: boxd.it/kBxn8
James Gunn: boxd.it/mv7zo
MCU: boxd.it/51q5a
Comic Book: boxd.it/57RQa
