Following the likes of Thor: Love and Thunder and Ant-Man: Quantumania, it was up in the air whether Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 would follow this recent trend of poorly executed films from Marvel Studios. Despite its lacklustre precursor films, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 succeeds not only in its refreshing storyline and take on these heroes post Thanos snap, but as a return to the heart and character driven stories at the heart of older Marvel films. While it still falls victim to some common MCU troops and pitfalls, director James Gunn is able to add his recognizable flair to a fairly structured and rigid franchise film to give viewers a glimmer of hope for the future of the MCU.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 follows the Guardians as one of their own, Rocket, fights for his life. Telling the story through two different timelines, viewers watch the action packed present story of the Guardians battling to save Rocket’s life, alongside flashbacks to Rocket’s life before he became the Rocket viewers know and love today. With Rocket’s story and past driving the story forward, the way this battle influences the lives and motivations of character across the board carries the film back to a recognizable one at the origins of the MCU. Not asking, “how will these heroes save the world this time”, but rather, what does being a hero even mean?

The stakes are high in this film, and the tension carries throughout the film. But in not repeating their past mistakes, the stakes are high not because of some universal level threat. Not because of some villain that will destroy the galaxy, or one that threatens the entire multiverse. Rather, the stakes are so high because one of our beloved guardians is fighting for his life. This repositioning of the tension, onto the fate of a character viewers have come to love, rather than yet another being threatening all of humanity brings the film back to what the MCU used to be. Character driven stories exploring what it means to be a hero. Rather than trying to introduce and wrap up an entire multiversal level threat in a sub 3 hour runtime, with a select few heroes somehow taking down the most powerful being in the universe (looking at you Quantumania), the huge world of the MCU is reduced, at least for these 2.5 hours, to the world of the Guardians. Where it is their friend at risk, and up to these heroes to save them.

Despite its triumphs, the film still falls victim to common MCU pitfalls, the main being its obsession with setting up future films. While not as pressing in Vol. 3, inklings of setting up future heroes, storylines, and relationships are still ever present throughout the film. But despite this, and the films existence in the rigid confines of the MCU, director James Gunn’s flare still shines through, feeling like a true return to the Guardians viewers knew in volumes 1 and 2. No longer stifled by the entire Avengers team in one film, with the Guardians no longer having to prove themselves to Earth’s mightiest heroes, the film is packed with Gunn’s signature sense of humour, perfectly paired with a surprising amount of violence (for the MCU of course). Never too much, this violence comes as a refreshing surprise each time it is shown on screen, worlds different from much seen in the MCU as of recent. Jam-packing it’s 150 minute run time with explorations of at least three worlds, all with vastly different histories and people, this never drags the film on, with Gunn instead expertly crafting and introducing these world in a way that flys by, with each visit remaining integral to the journey of our Guardians.

Performances in this film are to be expected from a film in the MCU, with Chris Pratt seeming to tone his performance down from his recent performances as the goofy Peter Quill when with the Avengers. Leaving space for Bradley Cooper as the voice actor for Rocket to shine, each performance beautifully supports that of the CGI raccoon at the root of our story. With character growth not seen in quite some time in the MCU, with each character seeming to finally learn something about themselves towards the betterment of their group, this film is a breath of fresh air.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 gives hope back to original fans of the MCU. As a return to the heart at the origins of these stories and hero’s lives, James Gunn’s flair is ever present in the newest addition to the MCU. Talking to real issues, and leaving the fate of some of viewer’s favourite characters up in the air throughout the film, tension is build not through the constant and ever present threat to the universe, but through a collective rooting for the lives of a select few, our Guardians of the Galaxy. With this incredible return to what made the original MCU films so special, Gunn sets the bar high for every Marvel film that will follow his most recent spectacular film, making viewers once again excited for the future of the MCU.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 (2023) is now playing in theatres across Canada.