Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

For God's sake, give this bunch of lovable oddballs some dignity. If the first and second films were overstuffed but benefited from the fact that the main characters looked so "different and funny" compared to most others, the third film looks like a stale and generic colouring book without any innovation and freshness. There are lots of characters that aren't even worth talking about and the only thing that has a solid pull and gets some emotion out of the viewer is the line with the raccoon and a couple of funny jokes with Bautista. A film that starts 30 minutes and ends at about 45, already quite a nightmare with all the banging and shooting. Star Lord and co. can take a well-deserved break now no one will hold a grudge. (05/22/2023)

Thank god Marvel had the sense to bring James Gunn back to direct. He has crafted the best Marvel team from the best universe Marvel could have ever dreamed of. James Gunn is one of the few Marvel directors who really thinks about what he’s making, giving his films a unique touch. Guardians of the Galaxy is the best thing that could have happened to him. The characters are fantastic, the settings are beautiful, and the films are packed with creative ideas. There's no need to break it all down here. The third Guardians movie is one of Marvel’s best films, and honestly, given how the brand has been struggling lately, Marvel might as well quit while they're ahead. (06/02/2023)

The first third or so was barely a 3*, the situational jokes didn't work and the humour was a bit too pedestrian for Gunn (he was probably still winging it after the average Christmas special). But then it clicked. By going deeper with Rocket's flashbacks and showing his hardships, the story was given the emotional charge it needed, plus there's one more aspect that's important to me - how helpless animals somewhere are rescued, or an effort is made to rescue them, the film gets plus points with me. And the ending was poignant and chilling, and only served to prove that the most cohesive and interesting bunch in the entire MCU universe were the Guardians. It's been a pleasure, you lovable freaks. PS: Gunn's films are distinctive and have their own identity, which is why I like them so much. What a difference from the factory fare Marvel offered after Endgame, they can go bury themselves in shame. PPS: A message for parents: if you don’t want your kids to be traumatised, don’t take them to this film. It’s really not for little kids. (05/04/2023)

Marvel has managed to move me a few times, but it has never managed to do it so many times in one film. This is simply a triumph, and it's a joy to see what it looks like when a series is lovingly nurtured by a man who understands it – James Gunn. The farewell to the Guardians of the Galaxy is not quite flawless, I was a little bothered by the not-so-smooth transitions from comedy to drama, for example, but in the end it's such a beautiful film that I can't be mad at it, and not just because of the raccoon eyes. So thanks, from the very first film it's been a beautiful, always imaginative, stylish and memorable ride. What will happen next, we’ll see. (05/05/2023)

"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)