Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3
Discussion
I saw it last night. Managed to avoid all the publicity and spoilers. Didn’t know anything about the plot, only what was hinted at by the plot of previous films (and my own knowledge of the comics from the 70s and 80s).
Unusually for an MCU film, I didn’t think it was as good as the reviews suggest. The good bits were very good, but on the whole not a masterpiece.
The main story was excellent. The protagonist was who I expected (because of the reference to ‘Adam’ in a previous post credit scene). His connection to Rocket’s history was what I assumed it would be. But i didn’t expect the film to focus on the real horror that was implicit in Rocket’s origin.
The other parts of the plot with Adam, the Ravergers, and the returning members of the Guardians cast was less successful. Also, the humour didn’t work so well for me. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood on the night, but the ‘end of trilogy’ stuff didn’t move me that much.
I’d say the best MCU film since Spider-Man No Way Home. But it wouldn’t make the top 5 on my list.
Unusually for an MCU film, I didn’t think it was as good as the reviews suggest. The good bits were very good, but on the whole not a masterpiece.
The main story was excellent. The protagonist was who I expected (because of the reference to ‘Adam’ in a previous post credit scene). His connection to Rocket’s history was what I assumed it would be. But i didn’t expect the film to focus on the real horror that was implicit in Rocket’s origin.
The other parts of the plot with Adam, the Ravergers, and the returning members of the Guardians cast was less successful. Also, the humour didn’t work so well for me. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood on the night, but the ‘end of trilogy’ stuff didn’t move me that much.
I’d say the best MCU film since Spider-Man No Way Home. But it wouldn’t make the top 5 on my list.
I enjoyed it but, as others have said, it was a bit hit and miss in places. Some genuinely funny bits though and it looked great on screen. I'd have enjoyed it more had the cinema seat not been so cramped and bloody uncomfortable. I found myself wishing it would end sooner so that I could get up and stretch my legs.
Soundtrack was pretty good, although the walkman is now an ipod and the music covers 4 decades I see.
Soundtrack was pretty good, although the walkman is now an ipod and the music covers 4 decades I see.
Saw this last night. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I felt I should have.
Pluses: familiar cast (so no plethora of new good guy characters to have to warm to) with good chemistry, reasonable story, a good bad guy who was well portrayed, the customary good depiction of scenes, well choreographed fight scenes, good use of one particular previously underused guardian, some laughs, some genuine emotion, a good and fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
Minuses: the music soundtrack was overdone leaving it feeling like a music video reel in places, the bulk of the humour was smile-worthy rather than laugh out loud, underuse of one particular guardian, storyline a bit vanilla/undemanding (even by non-Russo MCU films standards).
Removing grown up Rocket from most of the film exposed just how much that character has contributed to the success and humour of the previous films. The theme of family made it feel like a Fast & Furious film - I felt that just as Taita kept doubling down on humour/foolery with Thor’s character until it became a caricature, so Gunn has doubled down on family (and the music soundtrack) a bit too much. Good use of Mantis in this film. Overall too much of the dialogue between the guardians was shouted (not all families shout at each other all the time, Mr Gunn). I wasn’t keen on “dumb” Adam Warlock, but by making Rocket the only genuinely intelligent HE creation, the writers were boxed in on that front.
Pluses: familiar cast (so no plethora of new good guy characters to have to warm to) with good chemistry, reasonable story, a good bad guy who was well portrayed, the customary good depiction of scenes, well choreographed fight scenes, good use of one particular previously underused guardian, some laughs, some genuine emotion, a good and fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
Minuses: the music soundtrack was overdone leaving it feeling like a music video reel in places, the bulk of the humour was smile-worthy rather than laugh out loud, underuse of one particular guardian, storyline a bit vanilla/undemanding (even by non-Russo MCU films standards).
Removing grown up Rocket from most of the film exposed just how much that character has contributed to the success and humour of the previous films. The theme of family made it feel like a Fast & Furious film - I felt that just as Taita kept doubling down on humour/foolery with Thor’s character until it became a caricature, so Gunn has doubled down on family (and the music soundtrack) a bit too much. Good use of Mantis in this film. Overall too much of the dialogue between the guardians was shouted (not all families shout at each other all the time, Mr Gunn). I wasn’t keen on “dumb” Adam Warlock, but by making Rocket the only genuinely intelligent HE creation, the writers were boxed in on that front.
Tycho said:
Mark-Clio182Trophy said:
Soundtrack was pretty good, although the walkman is now an ipod and the music covers 4 decades I see.
Pretty sure it was a Zune rather than an iPod and I thought the soundtrack wasn't as good as the 1st 2 films.57 Chevy said:
Saw this last night, best MCU film since Endgame.
It's really stuck in my head which is always a good sign.
A bad guy you can really hate, some very funny and some very harrowing scenes.
Bravo
...isn't using Endgame as a bar setting it slightly low? I thought that was a confused, convuluted mish mash of a movieIt's really stuck in my head which is always a good sign.
A bad guy you can really hate, some very funny and some very harrowing scenes.
Bravo
Mark-Clio182Trophy said:
Soundtrack was pretty good, although the walkman is now an ipod and the music covers 4 decades I see.
Wash your mouth out 
Just back from it now. Definitely up there with the Spider-Man films as one of the better ones post Endgame. Funny bits, sad bits, good villain, good soundtrack. Thumbs up.
Edited by ajprice on Monday 8th May 17:48
Saw it with My daughter at the weekend. It was very disappointing. We left the cinema a bit deflated as had hoped it would be better.
Not enough humour. Unnecessarily morose.
We thought the villain was risible and his character and motivations unbelievable, even by superhero film standards. Certainly no Thanos.
Guardians going out with a whimper, rather than a bang.
Posters saying it is the best MCU since Spider-Man no way home is perhaps an indictment of how bad recent MCU films have been.
Not enough humour. Unnecessarily morose.
We thought the villain was risible and his character and motivations unbelievable, even by superhero film standards. Certainly no Thanos.
Guardians going out with a whimper, rather than a bang.
Posters saying it is the best MCU since Spider-Man no way home is perhaps an indictment of how bad recent MCU films have been.
Mark-Clio182Trophy said:
You may well be right. I prefer old HiFi stuff myself and the music is pretty subjective. Nice to be reminded of The The.
How can anyone forget The The! 
Their song,and the Flaming Lips, were the best of an excellent soundtrack for me ((just got back from seeing it) although the songs did sometimes overlay the action oddly.But a good film, lots of action, lots of laughs, went very dark in places, a fitting end (although Star-Lord will be back,it seems...IF you say through all the bloody credits!)
I really enjoyed it to be honest and thought it was one of the better MCU efforts (maybe even top 5, GotG 1 being better). IMO it actually had soul/emotion. I would agree that it may be a little upsetting for sensitive youngsters. I'll admit that there were some bits which dragged it down a little... eg Warlock seemed like a petulant child (maybe he is, don't read the comics so couldn't say), yet more planet destroying.
It was, however, a country mile better than the latest Antman effort, which is probably one of the bottom 3 MCU films
It was, however, a country mile better than the latest Antman effort, which is probably one of the bottom 3 MCU films
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