‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’
On May 5, the third movie in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise was released in all movie theaters. I was lucky enough to be able to see it a day early, along with a couple of other eager fans.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3” is a superhero comedy. However, like recent Marvel movies, it was dark. It also had a touch of the horror genre like more recent releases.
The movie has only been out for a month, and it has received positive reviews. I, however, feel like it was mediocre and not the deserved ending for one of the most popular franchises in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It touched on many areas but didn’t fully get a chance to develop them despite a 2.5-hour runtime.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
The movie introduced Adam Warlock. Although his opening scene gave fans a shock, he eventually became a powerful ally who became useful in the end.
In the opening scene, the Guardians are completing their daily duties and encounter High Priestess Ayeisha. While in her kingdom, Rocket steals a set of important batteries. She discovers this and sent Adam Warlock, who critically wounded Rocket.
This normally would be no issue, but viewers are reminded that Rocket is a genetically modified raccoon. Those who created him inserted a kill switch that prevented the needed medical care from being provided. His condition was critical. He was given 48 hours to live. It was essential to locate the code and shut off the kill switch.
The History of Rocket
The rest of the Guardians went to Orgocorp to get the code while Rocket fights for his life on their ship. During travel, viewers are allowed a look into Rocket’s past, and at this point, the movie turns essentially into a Rocket origin story.
We learn that Rocket came from Orgocorp. He was created by the High Revolutionary, whose goal was to experiment on animals to create the perfect race of “human hybrids.” His experiments lasted for years and the group that Rocket was a part of was one of many and the most successful. Resentment grew within the High Revolutionary when Rocket became smarter than him. He used Rocket’s intelligence to further his studies and better his experiments, but had no intention of including him or the animals in his group in his species on his Counter-Earth.
Once realizing that, Rocket began to devise a plan and collect supplies little by little in order to plan an escape for them and his group members. In particular, an otter named Lylla, who served as a mother figure for him. His plan succeeded, and he freed them, but with Rocket being the only one intelligent enough to escape; all the others died. Infuriated, Rocket scratched the face of the High Evolutionary to the point where it was almost unrecognizable. Rocket shoots the guards and escapes on a spaceship.
The Journey
Meanwhile, in the present time, the Guardians have encountered an alternate version of Gamora. Although she is a Ravager, she sympathizes with them. She points the Guardians toward Theel, who worked as an advisor for the High Evolutionary. While talking, they discovered he may have the code to shut off the kill switch. The Guardians find Theel, who is located on the High Evolutionary’s ship, and begin the battle for the code. Receiving word of this, the High Revolutionary kicks his plan into gear and begins to destroy Counter-Earth and all its inhabitants. This results in the death of Ayeisha, much to the dismay of Adam, as he views her as his mother.
They were able to get the code and kill Theel, but not before Rocket begins to flatline. He flatlines and has a vision in which he sees the members of his group in a heaven-like setting, including Lylla, who lets him know that it isn’t his time to join them. In the present time, Peter disables the kill switch and is able to revive Rocket.
Once Rocket is conscious, he immediately hops into action with his teammates and begins to save the remaining experiments. They were children like he was when he began his journey with the High Revolutionary. In the chaos, Adam arrives ready to help the Guardians save them. They are ultimately successful and leave. In the return journey, Peter almost dies, and Adam saves his life after feeling obligated after Groot saved his life in the earlier battle.
Looking Ahead
Once everything settles, the moment most “Guardians of the Galaxy“ fans dreaded comes. The team disbands.
Peter leaves to go find his grandfather, Mantis decides to travel with the Obelisks, Gators continues to travel with the Ravagers, and Nebula and Drax stay with the rescued experiments to help raise them and rebuild their society.
There was both a mid-credit and an after-credit scene.
In the mid-credits scene, we met the new “Guardians of the Galaxy” team: Rocket, Groot, Cosmo Kraglin, Adam Warlock (and his pet dog, Blurp), and Phyla.
In the after-credit scene, we see Peter unite with his grandad Jason on Earth as they embrace each other for what seemed to be a much-needed and long-awaited reunion. The screen turns black and even though this is James Gunn’s last hoorah in terms of making movies for the MCU; we are let known that, “The mighty Star-Lord will return.”
By Nichale Mann
Sources:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.: May 4, 2023
Marvel Studios: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of JMM’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
