Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Third time’s the best. Rocket's origin, along with an emotionally drained Star-Lord and Gunn's most confident direction yet, brings the Guardians of the Galaxy to adulthood. Well, almost. In the more serious moments, the atmosphere thickens more than ever, but then another joke or the thirtieth song comes along. This exuberant gang stays true to themselves with all the good (mostly), but sometimes some of the bad too. This time, however, I was the least short of perfection. (05/03/2023)

Another big farewell party in full swing. Rocket’s origin story is the main pull of the third outing and it certainly did not disappoint. Yet, he's not the main star and the team gets a balanced roster, giving James Gunn a chance to say goodbye to everyone. The traditional story is wrapped in novel ideas and details that will simply grab you by the heart. Quill's depression, Nebula's care and Adam Warlock's unexpected devotion to his mother all have their place and are used appropriately. Still, it seems to me that Gunn is turning on demand and not with the gusto of Suicide Squad 2 – he plays it safe everywhere. But he still he managed to give us the best villain in the series. Chukwudi Iwuji gives everything, too, his High Evolutionary is a complex character who won't settle for anything less than perfection. This time, there was too much music for taste, and it overwhelmed Murphy’s excellent orchestral score. Even though we will never see this bunch together again, they say goodbye with the message that everyone is different, we need to respect that or at least get used to it and love each other just the way we are. Yeah, and it’s also important to give a second chance, something that Gunn himself got, and he doesn’t take it lightly. So, adios, and we’ll see each other again in another universe, with Superman. (05/09/2023)

As a farewell to James Gunn and the Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3 is a workable film, but if I were to look at it with an objective eye as a "standalone" Marvel movie, I wouldn't be as excited as most of the film community. The action doesn't exactly bust your balls, and (apart from the final single-shot three minute scene in the corridor, which was excellent!!!) there’s almost nothing significant to remember, and even in terms of new characters it's a very odd affair. Adam Warlock as one of the strongest characters in the universe has about five minutes and he comes across as a regular civilian and certainly not a character around which the future world should be built. That was very disappointing as I was expecting an introduction to his abilities and a lure to his future action. On the other hand, it's worth picking up the great Draxx again and again, who (as the only one) adds fresh humour, with Dave Bautista literally enjoying the role. But the rest seems to have got lazy compared to the previous episodes in terms of humour, and actually plays too much on emotions and parting with the whole concept – maybe a bit more than it should. Good? Definitely yes. But as good and fateful as it was touted to be? Definitely not. Still, the new Guardians of the Galaxy takes away the "Marvel gold standard" in the form of a decent four-star rating, it's just that when you compare it to the first Marvel movies 10 years ago, it's just something vastly different... (05/08/2023)

The first half of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 looks like a compilation of jokes cut from a mediocre sitcom. The second half is just as uninteresting in terms of depth, but at least it has drive. The fatalism doesn't work and doesn't lead to anything decent. But surprisingly, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. (05/03/2023)

"I bet we were fun." - "You wouldn't believe it..." The essence not only of a great Marvel movie, but also of an adventure film, an unforgettable trilogy, unique heroes, basically everything a creator could wish for. James Gunn is once again the king, because this time he turned a diverse group of creatures, villains, and misfits into a team of stars that has no equal in the genre, as they do not fit anywhere else with their exaggeration, craziness, and uniqueness. I don't understand how well the combination of adolescent, childish, and extremely simple jokes can work with the best action of the whole franchise and the deeply moving emotion that makes me tear up every time someone saves someone, someone remembers, or someone realizes something that the viewer knew a while ago. No one is left behind and I can only breathe a sigh of relief and marvel that something turned out so fairy-tale-like despite the accompanying complications. (08/20/2023)