Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Film Review

                           Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

            The Guardians are living life on a planet called Knowhere, and life is peachy keen.

After saving the universe (as chronicled in Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Avengers: Endgame), nothing

is sure to break this group apart.

         Underneath the surface though, some are in shambles. Peter Quill/Star-Lord is still

hanging onto losing Gamora. Everyone else (including Drax) feel somewhat out of place.

Indeed, though the group has saved the galaxy, people are lost in a sea of subtle wrecks.

         When Rocket Raccoon is blasted by Warlock (a golden powerful Sovereign being),

he’s put into a coma. Once again, the Guardians need to rescue the Galaxy, but this time it

involves one of their own.

         Positive Elements: The previous GOTG films have been about family, and this one is

no exception. Peter, Nebula, Mantis, Drax, Groot, and Gamora waste no time protecting

Rocket, going to sacrificial lengths to save him. That’s what families do: they look out for

each other.

         We learn quite a bit of Rocket’s backstory here, and while most of it is jarring

(revealed in later sections), there are light moments. As a young raccoon, Rocket is

programmed to be smart, but also makes a few friends. Lylla, Teefs, and Floor (the otter,

walrus, and rabbit respectively) have fun, laugh, and choose to make the best of their hard

situation.

         Rocket decides to venture back into the High Evoluntionary’s ship to save higher life

forms and the animals trapped there. His team members follow suit. He states “I’m done

runnin’.” Peter, inspired by Rocket’s bravery, makes a positive choice too.

         Groot shows mercy to Warlock by saving him from a ship’s destruction. This selfless

act inspires the golden being to save a character’s life. Mantis uses her powers to

transform huge, terrifying monsters into allies. Drax soothes kids fear by making them

laugh and speaking their language. Indeed, it’s these traits that help the team rather than

break it apart.

         Nebula (Gamora’s adopted sister) grows a bit too. She genuinely cares for Rocket,

and cries when hearing his voice. When Nebula belittles Drax, Mantis defends him.

         In the end, the galaxy is mostly guarded. Nebula, Drax, and Rocket provide for the

kids. Other characters (including space dog Cosmo) play crucial parts in the film’s final

battle.

         Spiritual Content: The High Evoluntionary is considered to be God by some planets.

However, his warped view of intelligent animal/human beings (including Rocket) are

anything but positive. He’s trying to create the perfect society, even shouting “There is no

God! That’s why I stepped in!” But the movie suggests the High Evoluntionary is wrong.

         (Spoiler Warning): Rocket enters an afterlife where his three previous friends reside.

He desires to join them, but Lylla refuses. “You still have a purpose here. …There are the

hands that made us. Then there are the hands that guide the hands.”

         A few references to evolution appear here too. While the film doesn’t rebuke evolution,

it subtly suggests that creating a perfect world isn’t realistic. There are always going to be

flawed people no matter what. We briefly see the spirit of Yondu (who died in GOTG Vol. 2).

         Sensual Content: It’s clear that Peter is still smitten with Gamora, though she doesn’t

remember who he is. He tries to talk with her but is rejected. When Gamora suggests Peter

fell in love with someone like Nebula, this is treated with awkwardness. That doesn’t stop

Peter from crushing on Nebula though; he notes that Thanos picked a “pretty set” of eyes

for her.

         Female characters occasionally wear outfits that hug their bodies. Peter flirts with an

alien woman named Ura and reminisces about how he and Gamora fell in love (much to

Nebula’s chagrin). Mantis pranks Drax by making a male guard fall in love in with him. To

his credit, Drax is uncomfortable with the situation.

         Violence: Animal lovers, beware: GOTG VOL. 3 is not for the faint of heart. I urge you

to express caution when reading this section.

         Characters get blown up, knocked, pushed and punched aplenty. A ship erupts in

flames. Warlock blasts Rocket, shreds most of Groot, and attacks Nebula. Nebula’s parts

become disfigured, but eventually snap back into place. Kraglin inadvertently strikes her

with Yondu’s arrow while practicing. Warlock breaks Mantis’ arm, and crashes through a

glass window. He punches Drax for a time before Nebula stabs him with a smoldering

sword.

         The High Evoluntionary uses his powers to shock, knock and tase characters. He rigs

a society with bombs that explode once his ship leaves. When Warlock insults him, the

High Evolutionary forces the golden being up against a wall, hurting him until the High

Priestess (Warlock’s mother) agrees to his plans. Warlock accidentally kills a character

during an interrogation (we see a rotting corpse).

         Gamora uses her blade and shoves Peter during a verbal argument. She threatens to

kill Ura and a dog-like creature on separate occasions. Peter and Groot shoot at the High

Evolutionary’s guards and unleash a grenade. They fall from a high altitude, bashing a

character’s head into the ground. Nebula pushes Drax in a tense confrontation.

         (Spoiler Warning): In a disturbing flashback, Rocket and his animal friends try to

escape the High Evolutionary. Lylla is killed by the latter, which leads Rocket to angrily

scratching the leader’s face. Rocket kills two guards which then murder Teefs and Floor. It’s

a gut-wrenching scene that is bound to bring tears. Rocket also experiences a seizure

when devices called MedPaks are activated (we see foaming around his mouth). The

Guardians watch Rocket’s surgery (via file lighting) and Nebula comments “This is way

worse than what Thanos did to me.” The High Evoluntionary brings animals into clear gas

chambers that speed up their growth process, but transform them into violent creatures.

         In a camera tilting scene, the Guardians battle animal creatures in a hallway, their

yellow blood spurting everywhere (in keeping with the PG-13 rating). Gamora stabs the

High Evoluntionary and peels off his mask.

         Language: One f-word (the first in the MCU). There is a small to medium smattering of

“a—,” “h---,” God’s name, “d—n,” d—k,” “p---,” and “b—ch.” One or two s-words join the

mix as well. Some uses of “d—n,” and “h---” are present in song lyrics too. A couple uses

of “freakin,” “frickin,” and “screw you.” One use each of “phallus” and “twit,” both being

used as insults.

         Drugs/Alcohol: When we first meet Peter, he is drunk. He passes out, and Nebula

carries him to his room. “Again?” Drax inquires, suggesting this is a regular occurrence. As

mentioned, the High Evoluntionary places animals into gas chambers that speed up their

growth process.

         Other Negative Elements: A planet called the Orgoscope has disgusting elements to

it. Drax states he made an analogy using his excrement. The High Evolutionary has zero

patience for missteps and repeatedly manipulates his guards to complete his bidding. He

even destroys his own ship in pursuit of Rocket. As mentioned, there are dark scenes in the

film that could easily scare sensitive viewers. A doglike creature urinates/licks its privates.

         Conclusion: I’ll give director James Gunn credit: he knows how to craft a great film.

Indeed, with the 3 GOTG films, he has managed to balance humor, action, and heart.

Unlike most Hollywood directors, Gunn knows what the audience wants and doesn’t push

the content envelope. He even brings nostalgia with various types of music.

         GOTG 3 is not without problems though. Intense, dark violence plays a somewhat

critical role here with characters and animals being bruised or killed. Language is slightly

salty with scattered profanities abound. Even the main villain is scary because of his

domineering personality. These content issues need to be considered before having the

whole family watch it.

         However, GOTG 3 still soars with themes of family, courage, letting go, and moving

forward. It brings another killer soundtrack for fans who grew up in the 1970s-2000s. Even

the A-list cast pours emotion into their respective characters, never once feeling

overburdened. While GOTG 3 has issues, it still has a strong beating heart.

         Rocket is the main focal point of this story. The sassy, tech-loving raccoon from the

first two GOTG films finally has closure. But it’s not easy to watch. When in the afterlife with

Lylla, Teefs, and Floor, he’s determined to stay with them. But Lylla knows better.

         “A purpose for what?” Rocket tearfully asks. “They made us for nothing. Just stupid

experiments to be thrown away.”

         As I cried over this scene, Rocket’s words resonated with me, and might do the same

with other viewers as well. Often, we think about throwing in the towel, giving up on life, and

that we are nothing. But those are lies from Satan. Satan tricks us into thinking we are

monsters, that no one will ever love us. However, Jesus speaks to us, saying “I love you,

my children. Please come as you are, and I will give you rest.”

         For those of you reading this, and are still confused, I’ll clarify through Bible verses.

John 8:44 (NLT) says “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do

the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He always hated the truth,

because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character: for he is a

liar and the father of lies.”

         The High Evolutionary is considered God, but watching his controlling personality

reveals his true colors. Even though his employees try to stop him, he continues to lie and

manipulate them. The High Evolutionary doesn’t keep things for later, and instantly destroys

them when they don’t work out.

         Rocket on the other hand, keeps the key he built to help other animals escape. He

has matured in both his mindset and personality, recognizing the value of family and loving

others. Even though Rocket has his flaws, his devotion Peter and Co proves strong.

         Going back to the afterlife scene, Rocket feels remorse for killing Teefs and Floor,

breaking down in tears. When flying back into his body, Peter and Groot hug him in

satisfaction. Rocket realizes he still has a purpose in life despite his turbulent past.

         The scene reminds me of Colossians 3:14 (NLT): “Above all, clothe yourselves with

love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Though the Guardians of the Galaxy

are different people, they embody love and never give up on each other despite their

arguments.

         GOTG 3 is not without problems (as revealed in previous sections). But it serves as a

heartwarming finale to these beloved characters. The film hits positive notes with its

soundtrack, performances and lessons on self-sacrifice, family, mercy and friendship. This

sequel is a home run in my book.