Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director James Gunn, Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios is the final voyage of the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol. 3.

The gang is almost all together on a ship called Knowhere but Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is still dealing with the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana). Being basically babysat by Nebula (Karen Gillian), Mantis (Pom Kiementieff), Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper), things are about to get a shakeup.

Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) is racing across the galaxy on a mission, to capture Rocket. Becoming seriously hurt by the attack, the group tries to save Rocket but only discovers that inside him is a kill switch. The only thing that can save their friend is to find Orgocorp and get the code.

That’s going to require some help, when Quill, Mantis, Drax and Nebula get to the headquarters, they are met by the Ravangers and Gamora. She is not Quill’s love Gamora but the Gamora that doesn’t love Quill, with it so far? While Rocket is unconscious, he is remembering how his life came to be and that it is all because of the High Evolutionary aka Dr. Herbert Wyndham (Chukwudi Iwuji).

Back to Quill and the gang, believing that they have Rocket’s sphere-file, they discover the code is not there. Now they have to go to Counter-Earth and take on the High Evolutionary. Quill orders Gamora, Mantis and Drax to stay with the ship so he, Nebula and Groot take on what ever is head of them.

But when the High Evolutionary gets his fill of incompetents not retrieving what he thinks is his property aka Rocket, his anger starts to boil over. The thing is, he truly has no idea who he is up against, but he will soon enough.

Pratt as Quill is back with a totally broken heart and no seeming will to get his life right. It isn’t until best friend Rocket needs him desperately does he put his big boy Guardian pants on and get back to work. That doesn’t mean he isn’t going to keep talking about his broken heart, even when he comes face to face with the ‘other’ Gamora. Pratt is delightful, charming and funny, but then again, we have come to expect nothing less.

Saldana as Gamora is still salty and hostile. She doesn’t want to be part of the Guardians and at the same time sees what Quill had been trying to tell her from the get go. Gillian as Nebula has taken the lead flexing the feminine side of the group with less hostility and more forethought.

Cooper as Rocket gets to take off in this storyline. His story is meshed into the big picture and it is cute, heartwarming, sad and thrilling all at the same time. Through all the films Cooper has given Rocket the voice of frustration, anger and unresolved issues wrapped up in a mystery wrapper. This time out Rocket is heard.

Iwuji as the High Evolutionary thinks he is put in the universe to change it and he doesn’t mind doing it with pain, suffering and trauma. There isn’t a moment that is redeeming about this character and Iwuji makes sure of that with his dark portrayal. Poulter as Warlock flies in, wreaks havoc and is the reason Rocket is hurt in the first place. His reason for agreeing to retrieve Rocket causes him to consistently show up at the most unexpected times.

Kiementieff as Mantis is still protecting the group with her gift and this time out she does not hesitate to speak her mind, careful Nebula! Bautista as Drax still cracks me up with his thought process. He has a huge heart and no gift of gab but I wouldn’t have this character any other way or any other actor to portray Drax. Diesel as Groot has become so powerful in his own right. Past the teenage back talking stage, he is strong, quick and truly protective of his guardian-family.

Shout out to Fillion for his contribution to the hilarity. He is so good at being Master Karja and I loved the giggle he brought to the audience.

Other cast include Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri, Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, Maria Bakalova as Cosmo, Michael Rosenbaum as Martinex, Sarah Alami as Gloob, Jerry Beharry as Dark, Linda Cardellini as Lylla, Asim Chaudhry as Teefs, Michelle Civile as Cassowary, Stephen Blackehart as Steemie Blueliver, Mikaela Hoover as Floor, Miriam Shor as Recorder Vim, Judy Greer as War Pig,Daniela Melchior as Ura, Jennifer Holland as Administrator Kwol, Tara Strong as Mainframe, Nico Santos as Theel, Gregg Henry as Quill’s grandfather, Nathan Fillion as Master Karja and Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com.

This is an ending to the Guardians story and it is covered in a thick coat of charm and feels. The film is filled with special effects, dark moments, fast talking, lots of explosions, very colorful and familiar faces. Fans will be delighted with the razzle dazzle of it all. Coming in at two hours and 30 minutes, each of the characters make their own decisions in the end.

That being said, I’m just ‘okay’ with the film. Personally, I expected more for a grand finale. The ending seems awkward and thrown together. I’m sure that 30 minutes could have been cut off the time and it would have been fine. Even saying that, I’m sure that the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 will bring people into theatre seats. The soundtrack is worth owning but then again that has been something each of the films has in common.

In the end – it is time to face the music!

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