Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 presents a mix of elements that are pretty polarizing, to say the least. While some aspects don’t resonate well, there are still some positives to appreciate.
The movie opens with a somber tone, highlighting the emotional struggles of a drunkenly depressed Peter, and Rocket seemingly thinking about his own creation. This initial exploration of their inner turmoil sets a more grounded tone, allowing for deeper character development.
However, the subsequent comedic moments, though intended to lighten the mood, don’t hit the mark. The constant insertion of jokes after serious moments is disruptive and predictable. It’s a pattern that’s become a staple of Marvel movies. They detract from the emotional impact of important scenes.
It is essential to note that behind-the-scenes influences, such as Marvel’s involvement in the screenplay, may have impacted the final product. This might have contributed to some of the inconsistencies and tonal shifts experienced throughout the movie.
Rocket, whose storyline stands out as the highlight of the film, is given ample attention that allows for a deeper exploration of his personality and emotions. This adds a layer of complexity to his arc, making him relatable and endearing. Of course, between the flashbacks of his life are the bickering and unfunny jokes from the rest of the Guardians which gives us viewers emotional whiplash. Marvel just can’t let a moment breathe and resonate with people.
It’s not surprising that Rocket is the focus. After all, he’s James Gunn’s favorite of the Guardians. It is as if Gunn, no longer to be working on anything MCU-related and moving on to work on DC movies, has taken time to put the spotlight on his favorite character.
Gamora comes across as overly violent and lacking depth in her development. It’s disappointing to see, the growth of her from previous films has been almost destroyed. Even when she was introduced in the first Guardians of the Galaxy, she wasn’t as vicious. I do understand that this is basically a different Gamora, before she met the other Guardians. Still, she hated Thanos and wasn’t a horrible person at that time.
Peter has to try dealing with this fact as he’s still hopelessly in love with her and she basically doesn’t know him. She makes it clear that she has no feelings for him and he struggles with this throughout the movie. I’m not sure why she wasn’t sent back, she came with Thanos in Avengers: Endgame from the past. That was out of Gunn’s hands, I guess he was dealing with it the best he could. He’s off to DC, I’m sure he doesn’t care too much.
The introduction of Adam Warlock, while exciting, feels somewhat out of place and shoehorned in. The execution of his character could’ve been better handled to align with the narrative established in the previous movie. He really should’ve been introduced before Avengers: Infinity War, seeing he was a big part of that, in the comics. Sure Marvel has made big changes from the comics to the MCU, but this is one that could’ve and should’ve been done better.
Also, he’s a clown in the movie. Warlock is a great character and in the movie, not only does he come off as forced, but he’s basically an angsty teenager. He’s a buffoonish sideshow. The moments that matter the most for his character are cheaply added in. There’s nothing organic about his placement in the movie. One might have assumed Adam Warlock was going to be the main villain and it would be safe to assume he’d turn hero, but that isn’t the case.
If Adam Warlock was completely removed from the movie, not much would change and it’d probably be for the better. It’s almost as if Gunn forgot about the after-credits scene of the second movie, introducing Adam Warlock’s soon-to-be involvement.
The High Evolutionary is the main bad guy and is changed to be the creator of Rocket. See, that’s a change for the MCU that makes sense. He’s actually a good villain for the movie. He’s especially bad because he hurts cute animals. Something that’s completely unforgivable to people.
Of course for those that have read their fair share of Marvel comics will know who this villain is, but normies probably don’t. So as usual, he gets the Kevin Feige race swap. Marvel just can’t help themselves.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 presents a mixed bag of positives and negatives. The first half of the movie is cringe, lazy and annoying, but the second half hits its stride. The Rocket stuff throughout is great. If this was a solo movie for him, it would rival the first Guardians movie for greatness.
While certain characters and story elements may fall short, the film offers redeeming qualities, particularly in its exploration of Rocket’s character. Unfortunately, it gets bogged down with the typical MCU antics. Despite its flaws, the still manages to deliver moments of entertainment and cosmic spectacle.
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