Following yesterday’s social media reaction, full reviews have now been released for James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” – the final film featuring the current ‘Guardians’ cast and Gunn’s final film for Marvel.
At present with 86 reviews counted, the film has clocked up an 80% (7.2/10) score on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s a solid score, but the weakest of the trilogy to date – behind the 92% (7.8/10) and 85% (7.3/10) of the first two.
In terms of post-‘Endgame’ titles though it’s one of the better scores for a film – putting it above “Eternals” (47%), “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (47%), “Thor: Love and Thunder” (63%), and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (74%) but behind “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (84%), “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (91%) and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (92%).
As with the social media reaction, opinions are varied with some loving it, some outright negative, and many liking with caveats. Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“Gunn keeps the surprises coming, so audiences are actively engaged throughout, trying to manage multiple storylines and the ever-changing loyalties between characters.” – Peter DeBruge, Variety
“Overlong, yes, and finally reaching for an importance and emotional closure (perhaps inspired by Gunn’s own emotional corporate redemption) that it doesn’t quite encompass… But it’s still spectacular, spirited and often funny.” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“Gunn’s obvious love for these characters has been the trilogy’s consistent and undeniable saving grace. And he notably doesn’t sell out that love as he brings those characters all to a conclusion.” – Justin Chang, The Los Angeles Times
“The success of Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 proves that it’s still possible for Marvel movies to hit and hit hard after more than 30 films, but also that it’s getting harder to pull that trick off.” – William Bibbiani, TheWrap
“The Guardians appeal because their hard-won bonds feel real, even within the confines of the outsized MCU and the particular environs the space jerks find themselves in.” – Kate Erbland, Indiewire
“Half of Vol. 3 is an outright drama, heavy with themes of loss and terror. It’s an odd, lumbering patchwork of a film, occasionally fascinating but otherwise bloated and aimless.” – Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair
“This one may be the most unruly and excessive of the trilogy, but it is as sweetly touching as any film with so many slimy, tentacled monsters in it could be. 3/5” – Nicholas Barber, BBC
“Solemnity is the guiding light here, and solemnity doesn’t suit the Guardians. When detouring through your designated corner of perfectly calibrated cosmic sloppiness starts to feel like a chore and a slog, you have a serious problem on your hands.” – David Fear, Rolling Stone
“The misfit team’s constant punchlines and I’m-just-busting-your-chops dynamic have grown exhausting. They’ve become the guy at the party who thinks he’s hilarious but is actually just drunk.” – Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post
“The film undermines its initial sense of intimacy and momentum with a stop-and-start story structure that by and large exists to make as much room as possible for its characters’ banter.” – Greg Nussen, Slant
The final adventure of the Guardians is set several years after the second and sees Peter Quill still reeling from the loss of Gamora. He must rally the Guardians of the Galaxy on a mission to defend the universe.
They must protect one of their own when elements from Rocket Raccoon’s past resurface – an evil scientist type known as the High Evolutionary who has set his sights on the ‘Guardians’ and his old creation.
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Sean Gunn all return along with Elizabeth Debicki, Sylvester Stallone and Maria Bakalova.
They’re joined by Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” opens in cinemas around the world next Friday.
