Rating: 4.5/5

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, released on May 5, 2023, was a satisfying ending to the Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy. In this movie, the Guardians go on a journey to save Rocket after an attack that left him clinging on to his life. As they search for the code that can save him, the Guardians discover more of Rocket’s devastating backstory. To aid them, timeline variant Gamora comes back to help the team, but she’s not the same person they knew before. Overall, the movie is filled with laughter, sadness, and, at the core of any Guardians movie, family.

Anyone who has watched a Guardians of the Galaxy movie knows it’s humorous and has a large comedic presence. But if you’re expecting the usual comedy of the Guardians of the Galaxy, I suggest you change your mindset going in. Like most movies taking place in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, the usually lighthearted comedy associated with the guardians contained darker undertones. This, however, did not cause a deviation from the usual humor found in these movies. Within the first few minutes, the movie gave me emotional whiplash, making me cry and then laugh due to the quick switch between Rocket’s backstory and the guardians present actions.

An important aspect of this trilogy is seeing how each of the characters has grown from the beginning to the end of their journey. This movie really focused on the growth of characters like Rocket and Nebula, who were originally more self-centered but eventually made sacrifices during their time as Guardians and learned the value of relationships and teamwork. Additionally, the topic of Gamora and Quill’s relationship was dealt with in a suitable manner. Although most of the audience might have preferred a different outcome, it was the best decision for both characters.

Of course, the movie would not be truly complete without its phenomenal soundtrack, which is a hallmark of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. With hits ranging from Creep by Radiohead to the ever – famous No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Beastie Boys, and finally ending with a call back to the classic Come and Get Your Love by Redbone, this movie used its soundtrack to capture the nostalgic and heartfelt essence this trilogy is famous for. My personal favorite was the song at the end of the movie – Dog Days are Over by Florence + the Machine – which captured the heartfelt and bittersweet ending of the movie.

Ultimately, I felt that this movie was a proper end to the trilogy. There were no lulls, and the movie constantly kept the audience captivated, either through the development of the characters, the soundtrack, or its emotional storyline. For fans of Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel fans, and anyone who enjoys an entertaining family-friendly film, this movie is a must – see this May.