Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 is a break-up film in many ways. In many ways, it exists in conversation with James Gunn's firing and subsequent rehiring for Vol. 3. In many ways, Rocket and the High Evolutionary's arc and dynamic feel like a reflection of the complicated relationship between James Gunn and Disney.

Rocket's arc and his dynamic with the High Evolutionary form the emotional backbone of this story. Their relationship feels more like a piece about abusive dads and children being perpetually abused, i.e, Peter Quill and Ego, Gamora, Nebula, with Thanos.

Interestingly, this film contextualizes Rocket's arc within the framework of a corporate organization willing to exploit its intellectual property for its benefit and Rocket's friends trying to save him from his doom. It's hard not to read it as a commentary on the GOTG cast's fallout with Disney and their support for James Gunn.

Rocket's arc is about the conflict between his individuality and being a corporate product. This forms the emotional catharsis of the entire film and provides a strong emotional core for GOTG Vol 3.

Star Lord and Gamora's arcs are interesting in their own right. Star Lord starts out being an alcoholic and desperately needing Gamora to fill his void. However, this film takes Peter through a journey of self-acceptance for himself and accepting Gamora for who she is.

Peter Quill is essentially a lost Peter Pan, and his arc eventually concludes with him finding his humanity and returning to Earth(despite the events of Endgame). This film is a breakup story between Peter and Gamora that feels poignant and thematically rich. It's a mature yet poignant ending that enforces that perspective for the better.

Gamora's arc is a minor standout. GOTG Vol 3 establishes her as her person, having her own POV. It never sees her as someone to validate Peter, but finds her group and her own self-worth through the process. It mirrors Rocket's arc and establishes themes about self-acceptance and growth.

GOTG Vol 3 establishes another key theme of Gunn's work, which is that of abused children, and here being explicitly shown through High Evolutionary's monstrous attempts at finding a peaceful utopia and his cybernetic experiments.

The High Evolutionary feels a piece with other GOTG antagonists with perfectionism and seeking a perfect utopia. His perfect utopia is modeled on 1950s American iconography, with him being treated like a God while conducting inhumane experiments and committing genocide. It feels like a commentary on corporate billionaires abusing power for their personal gain.

Tellingly, this film's urban devastation still feels rooted in human interactions and feels personal. A lot of MCU films promote urban devastation and strip out the humanity of them, making them inhumane. There is also some uncomfortable power fantasy in question here.

However, GOTG Vol 3, by making the urban devastation personal, subverts the power fantasy of the superhero genre. After all, it's a key theme of the GOTG trilogy. Overall, GOTG Vol 3 is a brilliant yet subversive conclusion to a brilliant yet subversive trilogy within the MCU.

Technically, GOTG Vol 3 is robust. Its direction maintains an action-adventure yet sombre tone. The colorful yet visually kinetic cinematography conveys framing, depth, POV, and provides surrealness.

The fast-paced editing, while making the pacing disorienting, still shapes the story and lands the distinct story beats with precision. The poignant yet bombastic score consists of vintage rock and grunge music alongside classic orchestration. The cast are well-known names at this point and integral to the film.

Risers, split cuts, ambiance, and combat define the soundscape. The effects consist of prosthetics, makeup, fantastical worlds, and blood, and contribute to the film's visual quality. Overall GOTG Vol 3 is a technical dynamite.

Writing: 9/10

Direction: 9/10

Cinematography: 8/10

Acting: 9/10

Editing: 7/10

Sound: 7/10

Score: 10/10

Prod Design: 9/10

Casting: 9/10

Effects: 9/10

OVERALL SCORE : 8.6/10