Vague Visages’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 review contains minor spoilers. James Gunn’s 2023 movie stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista . Check out the VV home page for more film reviews, along with cast/character summaries, streaming guides and complete soundtrack song listings.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is stifled by its need to conclude myriad character arcs. Furthermore, it’s trapped within a sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe space opera. Luckily, James Gunn’s 2023 movie mostly limits its perspective to the story rather than existing as a backdoor pilot for a spin-off series. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a sweet, touching and surprisingly gruesome film about animal testing and scientific ethics that mostly comes together by the end.

It might be unbecoming to belabor the logical gaps that comic book movie audiences are expected to accept. With science so far along in many of Marvel’s fantastical settings, a generous suspension of one’s sense of disbelief is a necessity. However, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 draws attention to holes in its own internal logic through contradictions about the gravity of situations, as well as through literal gravity and other laws of physics. Such are the consequences of stories built around superheroes: the cold vacuum of space is alternatively a recurring major threat and an ignorable nuisance; a character-defining act of mercy stands in contrast to a film littered with hero-slain corpses.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s third act is over-encumbered by the introduction of new characters and creatures who fit within the framework of the antagonist’s scope of plans but draw eyes and minds away from the main character issues. The story’s conflict is centered on Rocket Racoon’s (Bradley Cooper) secret origin, building its plot from the consequences of the genetic experimentation that gave him a superior intellect. Rocket Racoon is also incapacitated for most of the film, and the audience mostly lives through his backstory. This is a diegetic consequence of physical trauma, but the story is introduced before the medical complications arise.

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The inciting action is partly motivated by Peter Quill/Starlord (Chris Pratt) mourning the loss of his relationship with Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), as the individual he developed a bond with between the first two franchise films was sacrificed by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and replaced via time travel by a version of herself from before they met in Avengers: Endgame (2019). It’s been a decade since that sacrifice (in-universe), though only five years since Quill and Gamora returned. This seems like a long time to mourn a two-year relationship, but the circumstances are both otherworldly and incredibly traumatic. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 doesn’t explore these emotions in great depth, as there’s mostly just initial shock value due to Quill’s state and wanting eyes. He is frequently pathetic, and the characters around him comment on this for laughs. Gunn’s writing and direction excel throughout Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3  — comic relief doesn’t tear down the universe, though it undercuts some moments of drama. 

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Gunn’s lampshading often feels more enthusiastic than dismissive. A few slow-mo scenes also feel tonally sarcastic. Gunn’s exhausting use of popular needle-drops is forgivable because the soundtrack songs are likable and tie into the character relationships. Regardless, the director’s penchant for gory and unsettling sequences makes Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 feel more authentically expressive than other MCU productions.

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Like the face-hugging space starfish from The Suicide Squad (2021), many of the minor antagonists in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 squish, though the surprise and intensity of these depictions drops in efficacy when enemies start getting pasted on the hull of a ship. The visceral nature is maintained (which perpetuates some shock value), but the scope renders the danger illegible when seemingly epic problems are wiped away in mere moments of screen time. There’s also the problem of soundstage actors having to imagine fighting CGI monsters, which comes across in the lack of intensity and specificity in their reactions. Besides the near-death premise, there are several scenes in which mortal jeopardy is wiped away. So, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wants audiences to experience the emotional aspect of a character death but walks it back for comfort, like a better version of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

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Comic fans may be disappointed with Gunn’s tone and vision in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but Will Poulter is fun as Warlock, and Chukwudi Iwuji channels a vicious and deranged genius as the High Evolutionary. Plus, Iwuji’s fellow Peacemaker castmate Jennifer Holland (Gunn’s wife) appears in a small role as Kwol (an administrative subordinate of the High Evolutionary). Nathan Fillion also displays his comedic skills in a series of scenes with the most visually interesting production design.

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Gunn’s brother, Sean, reprises his MCU role as Kraglin in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. His most frequent on-screen partner is the CGI dog cosmonaut Cosmo (Maria Bakalova). Zoe Saldaña feels wasted in a bit part, at least when compared to Gamora’s larger role in Avengers: Infinity War or the actress’ recent appearance as Neytiri in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). It’s a more cutthroat and shortsighted version of Gamora than audiences will be used to. Karen Gillan is terrific as the seemingly always-seething robotic sister Nebula, though she’s not a central a character this time around. Pom Klementieff delivers a strong performance as Mantis but doesn’t match her screen time in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) or even The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022). In addition, Dave Bautista steps into the next phase of his career with a lovely Drax sendoff.

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Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 provides a successful conclusion for its characters. And some of them, like Peter Quill, will obviously return in future MCU pictures. For now, Gunn gets to take the helm of Warner Bros. Discovery’s superhero movie project at the DCU. Until then, he has created another winner for fans of the other two franchise films.

The myriad plot contrivances, worldbuilding lore and character arcs of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will likely be forgotten in short order, despite all the painstaking work of Gunn and his digital artists, set-makers and costume designers. MCU films are mostly to be consumed and disappear — few of them are must-watches for anyone but the most ardent fans. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 makes use of what comes before without being totally bogged down. It’s a working film product, if not a superlatively meaningful work of art.

Kevin Fox, Jr. (@KevinFoxJr) is a freelance writer, editor and film critic. His work has appeared in Paste Magazine and People’s World. Kevin has an MA in history, loves audiovisual entertainment and dreams of liberation. Check out his Substack at kfjwrites.substack.com.

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