A Fantastic Ending to a Beloved Trilogy

For the past few years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had a hard time reaching the heights of the films they created before the saga-ending classic “Avengers: Endgame.” With many of their recent television series being flops in the expectations of Marvel fans, the MCU needed a spark to regain the fanbase’s trust. The May 5 release of “Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3” proved to be this spark and much more, with its successful combination of character development, great new faces and stunning soundtrack and visuals. 

In the third addition to the beloved franchise, the Guardians find themselves facing a new cosmic threat that not only tests their abilities but also explores the deeper emotional bonds that have formed between them. With new supporting characters to aid the group’s adventure and a menacing villain called the High Evolutionary, the team has to lean on each other more than ever to save humanity. Director James Gunn’s masterful storytelling weaves together a captivating narrative filled with surprises, twists and heartfelt moments. The film strikes a perfect balance between larger-than-life action sequences and intimate character development, keeping viewers engaged and invested throughout.

One of the strengths of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise has always been its well-rounded and lovable characters, and the third film is no exception. The face of the group, Star Lord (Chris Pratt), continues to evolve as the leader, juggling with his own sense of identity and responsibilities throughout the film while trying to keep the group chemistry at a high. Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) delve deeper into their complicated sisterhood, adding layers of emotional depth to their characters, even when Gamora isn’t the same Gamora as seen in the previous movies. However the character that stole the show was Rocket (Bradley Cooper), who ultimately was the heart and soul of the entire story. Rocket’s backstory was displayed on the screen in extremely heartfelt and emotional fashion, and fans of the franchise were able to become genuinely connected to his character and his personality due to Gunn’s masterful character development execution. 

“Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3” introduces new characters that fit seamlessly into the ensemble. The standout addition is Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), whose presence adds an intriguing dynamic to the team. His charisma throughout the film is able to provide some extra comedic relief and his strong powers shown throughout the film make the group a much stronger force to be reckoned with. On the evil side of the story, the new villian High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) is the most mean and menacing antagonist seen in the entire franchise and his representation of no remorse throughout the movie makes him one of the best MCU villains to date. 

From its vibrant alien worlds to its meticulously crafted spaceships, “Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3” is a true visual spectacle and shows no flaws in its CGI. The film continues to push the boundaries of what is visually possible in the cinema world, immersing its viewers in a cosmic tapestry of colors, designs and effects. The action sequences are stunningly choreographed, utilizing a combination of practical effects and color to deliver jaw-dropping moments that leave a lasting impression on the audience. Along with these visuals comes the wonderful soundtrack that has been a “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise trademark throughout the three films. With throwback jams such as “Creep” (Radiohead) and “Dog Days Are Over” (Florence and The Machine), the movie is able to keep the audience engaged and filled with emotion through familiar and heartfelt tunes.

Overall, “Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3” is a triumphant addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, delivering a stellar adventure filled with heart, humor and spectacle. Gunn’s impeccable storytelling, combined with the exceptional performances from the cast, solidifies the film as a standout entry in the franchise and a top film in all of the MCU.