Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

The critic calls it the best Marvel movie in years and a reminder that the Guardians represent some of the very best the MCU has to offer. She singles out the well-drawn, textured characters and the care with which their story is told.

The critic hails it as a triumph that closes out the trilogy with a big, scrappy mix of humour and terror boasting a heart as big as Drax. She singles out the emotionally resonant storytelling and the way it allows the characters to face their fears and grow.

The critic deems it a fitting conclusion to the saga that wraps things up nicely despite some narrative sags and over-egged emotion. Standout elements include the scene-stealing performances from Drax, Mantis and Groot alongside strong additions like Will Poulter.

James Gunn delivers a satisfying send-off in this final Guardians chapter that feels refreshingly vivid and distinct amid formulaic comic-book films. The review highlights the moving backstory for Rocket and the film's emotional wallop alongside its gorgeous spectacle.

The critic praises the dramatically focused threequel with a dark and demented heart that hits just enough Guardians beats to please the faithful without the self-referential excess of Vol 2. Rocket's storyline and the structure of heist and rescues are highlighted positively.

The critic praises Gunn for balancing corporate demands with personal filmmaking and highlights the creativity, dialogue, and performances that set it apart from other superhero movies. Rocket's origin story and the film's messier, weirder elements are singled out as particularly appealing.

The critic finds it spectacular, spirited and often funny despite being overlong and reaching for emotional closure it does not fully achieve. Dave Bautista's Drax is singled out as the scene-stealer for his comedy chops and heartwarming rapport with children.

The critic describes it as an enjoyable if overlong escapade that mixes quippy adventure with surprisingly harrowing moments of peril and gore. She praises the convincing sense of friendship and camaraderie that gives the finale some gravitas.

The critic finds the film a fitting finale for Marvel's most affable heroes but notes it is bloated with a noticeable runtime. Praise goes to James Gunn's distinct vision and Will Poulter's standout performance as Adam Warlock.

The review calls it an unexpectedly bleak but big-hearted finale that gets surprisingly dark for the franchise. It singles out the improved visual effects and wonderfully weird production design for praise.

The critic concludes that the once-perkiest heroes now look like a spent force, with a messy plot, irritable tone and overlong flashbacks. Gunn's flashes of brilliance in creature and set design are praised but do not salvage the whole.

The critic finds the film visually uninteresting and overly reliant on script at the expense of cinematic imagination, criticizing its simulation of emotion and action without genuine impact. The production design's biomorphic elements are noted as one of the few authentic inspirations.

The film is an overstuffed but satisfying trilogy capper that achieves its goal of delivering a stirring finale to the franchise. It succeeds thanks to the strong ensemble chemistry, particularly between Mantis and Drax, and its inventive action sequences set to memorable music.

The critic calls it a satisfying close to the trilogy that repositions Rocket as the emotional core while deepening the ensemble. The inventive environments, emotional investment in the characters, and Gunn's ability to balance humor and sentiment are highlighted.

Gunn's final MCU entry succeeds through charm, sincerity, and irreverence while centering Rocket's traumatic origins and the team's found-family bonds. It stands out for its self-contained story, visual appeal, and genuine sense of finality amid the franchise's larger issues.

The film serves as a heartfelt and humorous sendoff for the team under James Gunn, delivering fun and moving moments after recent MCU disappointments. It singles out Rocket's heartbreaking backstory for effective emotional impact despite its unusual premise.

The critic calls the film a big, silly and disarmingly big-hearted farewell to the team that makes the most of what made the series one of the most loved in the franchise. They single out the coherent storytelling and expanded soundtrack for praise while noting the runtime feels slightly unnecessary.

The review describes the film as an odd, dark goodbye with grim scenes of animal torture but effective focus on Rocket and a strong emotional finale. It notes tonal imbalance and odd pacing but praises the meaningful character time and fan appeal.

The critic finds no sign of burnout in this third Guardians film, which feels like a continuum rather than a true ending for the franchise. They single out the strong ensemble cast, especially Dave Bautista as Drax, and the thoughtful origins story for Rocket that raises ideas about mortality and genetic engineering.

The critic praises James Gunn's return and the film's focus on Rocket's character and backstory, noting its emotional depth and balance of darkness with humor. Some franchise obligations like Adam Warlock are criticized, but the story of the team saving one of their own is found compelling.