James Gunn goes out with a bang on his MCU exit.

Score: 4.5/5

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a bit of a mess since 2019. A rare few entries have been able to hit the highs of that 2014-2019 period of time. Lately, it has felt like the magic that made MCU movies feel like must-watch events has all but disappeared. Well, leave it to the new head of DC Studios James Gunn to return to Marvel one last time and show there is still a little of that magic left.

Where Guardian of the Galaxy Volume 2 felt a little meandering, Volume 3 has a sense of purpose and focus that was instrumental in the success of the first Guardians. Interestingly this movie is quite dark, yet still has a lot of the trademark humor that Gunn’s films have been known for. This movie also has a strong message against the abuse of animals. I would say this movie should have a trigger warning for those sensitive to seeing any form of animal cruelty. This one has some disturbing scenes that really push the bounds of anything Marvel Studios has done to this point. All that said, Volume 3 pulls through this cruelty with heart, this entry moved me emotionally more so than most of what the MCU has ever achieved. It’s a great final bow from James Gunn and for this group of galactic misfits.

Not everything was perfect though. The inclusion of the character Adam Warlock, played by Will Poulter, felt like a tad too much for this story. This is not to say that Poulter did anything wrong, for me it came off as an obligation to an end credit scene in Volume 2 over something that really fit with this story that was clearly centered around Bradley Cooper’s Rocket. The other new major cast member in this volume was the villain Chukwudi Iwuji’s The High Evolutionary. He easily ranks as one of the evilest characters in all of Marvel and helps build the stakes of this film in a way we haven’t seen in a while for any of these Marvel properties. Speaking for the rest of the stellar ensemble, the Guardians get to send of their characters in epic fashion. Everyone has a big moment and some level of growth.

I mentioned before heart, and this last ride with the Guardians is filled to the brim. By the end you feel both sad that their adventures together are over, and yet satisfied that this was a fitting conclusion for all of them. Does it still have a bit that setting the stage for other Marvel movies or shows problem? Yes, but unlike other MCU movies where that actively sabotages what the individual movie is striving for, James Gunn was able to steer the ship to a finale that was well worth the six-year wait.