Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marks the end of an era for the beloved Marvel franchise, and the film promises to be a thrilling and emotional ride for fans. The movie is packed with action, featuring several epic battles, including a climactic fight against armies of beasts. However, the heart of the film lies in the emotional journey of Rocket, as the movie delves into his backstory in a series of poignant and heartbreaking flashbacks. Are you ready for the beginning of the end?
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 is written and directed by James Gunn, who is the newly minted co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios with Peter Safran. The film’s cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper.
As of this writing, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 has an aggregate score of 68 on Metacritic, based on 33 critic reviews. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a higher 81% based on 67 reviews. These scores will shift as other outlets publish their takes, and since it isn’t out yet, there are no audience ratings available yet. In GameSpot’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 review, Phil Owens writes that while the movie hits all the right notes and is visually stunning, it suffers from being part of a franchise that has had too many similar climactic battles and lacks connective tissue to other Marvel stories. You can also check out the comparably much more positive early reactions on social media.
Below, you’ll see a selection of the many reviews of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 that have already been published.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
- Written and directed by: James Gunn
- Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bakalova, and Sylvester Stallone
- Premiere Date: May 5
GameSpot – 7/10
“At the heart of the film is Rocket’s backstory from his time under the High Evolutionary’s “care,” which we see play out in flashbacks while he’s unconscious in the present. It’s the best stuff in the film, no question–it’s very emotional and messed up in all the ways it needs to be… But outside of these flashbacks, there’s just something missing.” – Phil Owens – [Full review]
Variety – 90
“Unlike other filmmakers, who make it feel like we’re sitting back and watching someone else get to play, Gunn keeps the surprises coming, so audiences are actively engaged throughout, trying to manage multiple storylines and the ever-changing loyalties between characters.” – Peter Debruge – [Full review]
The Wrap – 83
“For all the emotional resonance and action-packed blockbuster mayhem in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, it’s still got a lot of impish nonsense, jarring tonal shifts, and enough morbidity and outright gore that it’s now abundantly clear that the PG-13 rating doesn’t mean anything more. This is a movie that will probably traumatize some kids and maybe a few adults.” – William Bibbiani – [Full review]
The Independent – 80
“The Guardians films have always been about the fact that many of us are like putty – shaped not by where we’ve come from but where we are and could end up. Vol 3 should make audiences thrilled about what comes next for Gunn in his new position as co-head of DC Studios. As for Marvel–well, it’ll be their loss.” – Clarisse Loughrey – [Full review]
CNN – 75
“In hindsight, the most unlikely hit among Marvel’s parade of them was all about the unlikeliest of families. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 drives home that point, with a boisterous and often emotional sequel that feels very much like a true conclusion, fueled in no small part by writer-director James Gunn having migrated his talents over to rival DC.” – Brian Lowry – [Full review]
Time Out – 60
“For a bright and breezy franchise with a talking tree and wise-cracking racoon, it gets unexpectedly bleak.” – Michael Juliano – [Full review]
Vanity Fair – 50
“It’s an odd, lumbering patchwork of a film, occasionally fascinating but otherwise bloated and aimless.” – Richard Lawson – [Full review]
Rolling Stone – 40
“What was once an anything-goes sensibility now feels like it’s stuck in a nothing’s-sticking gear. Dark, wearisome and bombastic, along with an ensemble cast clearly radiating that they’d rather be someplace else, is not what we come to a Marvel movie for. We already have the DCEU for that.” – David Fear – [Full review]
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