James Gunn's "Guardians of the Galaxy" films stand out with their captivating blend of outsider sensibilities and well-oiled franchise machinery. He navigates the Hollywood money-making system without compromising his artistic voice. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" showcases Gunn's ability to balance corporate demands with personal blockbuster filmmaking despite a few missteps. While it shares common issues of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—lengthy runtime, explosive climaxes, and an abundance of characters—it injects creativity into direction, dialogue, and performances, a rarity in modern superhero movies. Amid discussions of AI-generated blockbusters, "GoTG 3" thrives in its untidiness. Gunn, like a child at play, both revels in and reimagines his action figures. He cherishes these underdogs and longs to see them save the universe once again. And you will too.
"Vol. 3" starts with Rocket Racoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, lost in Radiohead's "Creep." The soundtrack of this film, with its well-chosen songs, sets the perfect tone. Rocket sees himself as an outcast, but as the movie progresses, he discovers his true extraordinariness.
It all begins with an onslaught. The resplendent Adam Warlock, with his golden hue, hurtles towards Knowhere, unleashing powerful blows. Rocket suffers the most severe beating, teetering on the brink of death throughout the movie. This narrative unfolds on two interwoven tracks: one delving into Rocket's origin story, while the other follows the present-day mission of the Guardians to rescue him. Their mission takes them to the enigmatic High Evolutionary, a deranged scientist who once sought to hasten the evolutionary process for a utopia known as Counter-Earth. It was he who brought Rocket into existence years ago.
The Guardians embark on their quest with emotional baggage. Peter (Chris Pratt) struggles with emotional instability due to his complex history with Gamora (Zoe Saldaña). While an alternate version of Gamora exists, she has no memory of her time with the Guardians. Gamora becomes involved in Rocket's mission, overshadowing her love story with Star-Lord. Rather than focusing on their reunion, "Vol. 3" highlights Rocket's story, creating a fresh dynamic between Pratt and Saldaña. Saldaña's performance is notable as she portrays Gamora's skepticism towards the other Guardians, especially the one who claims to love a different version of her.
When it comes to the rest of the gang, they have outgrown one movie. Dave Bautista brings back the fun as Drax, but his character has little to do. The same can be said for Karen Gillan's Nebula, who is now a functional part of the team but lacks substantial development. Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff, returns for comic relief, and Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, does his thing. However, the overcrowding issue in this iteration of "Guardians" is hard to ignore. Not to mention the talking dog, voiced by Maria Bakalova, Elizabeth Debicki as Adam's creator Ayesha, or Sylvester Stallone's return.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" captivates with its less polished, eccentric approach, defying the "product over art" mindset. Recent blockbusters lack a human touch, but Gunn's daring exploration of unsettling creature designs and immersive settings stands out. Unlike the bland CGI in superhero movies, this film feels immersive, not like watching someone play a video game. While occasionally conforming to Marvel Cinematic Universe expectations, "Vol. 3" remains chaotic and deeply personal. It consistently wins me over, even when prioritizing content over art.
Gunn and his ensemble exhibit unwavering commitment through subtle choices. Pratt's portrayal of Peter Quill as a hero and fool resonates on-screen, shedding brash arrogance to root for Quill once more. Saldaña finds joy in returning to the essence of Gamora, a strong warrior. Rocket shines, overcoming trauma to embrace his destiny as a hero.
Although the villain's character lacks depth due to the large cast, there is an intriguing thematic layer beyond the typical hero/villain narrative. Without revealing all the details of Rocket's origin, his trajectory takes a significant shift when he independently solves a problem in the High Evolutionary's experiments. This sends the villain into a spiral of insecurity and sociopathology. In a way, it's a story of a vengeful deity, someone who reacts violently when their creation not only displays independence but also superior intelligence compared to its creator. Tales of creations turning against their wicked creators are as ancient as myth itself, but Gunn skillfully weaves this concept into the Marvel vision with subtle brilliance, adding greater depth to his film compared to many others. Gunn grapples with the notion of a malevolent deity, one who views their creations as mere experiments rather than living beings. It's a narrative that aligns perfectly with Gunn's desire to defy the Hollywood machine by bringing his imagination to life. He is the creator who yearns for his creations to surpass his own brilliance.
The narrative structure of "Vol. 3" with flashbacks and missions, occasionally hampers the film's momentum. Marvel movies often culminate in explosive team-ups, and James Gunn's distinctive personality shines through, from his music selections to striking imagery that may startle younger audiences. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" reminds us that exceptional blockbusters don't merely follow a well-known tune; they create an entirely new composition. In the end, we're all misfits, and that's what makes us truly remarkable, according to Gunn.
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