--- title: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 16 reviews: 11 positive, 3 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics are pleased with this third and final Guardians film, and the praise clusters in the same places. Rocket’s backstory is the element named again and again: several reviews call it the emotional core, and a few find it moving to the point of distress. Dave Bautista’s Drax is the performance singled out most often, with Mantis, Groot and newcomer Will Poulter close behind. James Gunn’s creature and production design is credited with keeping the film distinct from the run of comic-book films around it. The reservations cluster on length. Even warm reviews call it overlong, and a few think the emotion is laid on too thick and the tone lurches between quips and gore. The spread is wide: alongside a cluster of raves sit two firm dissents. The Telegraph finds the heroes a spent force in a messy plot, and The New Yorker thinks it visually dull, simulating feeling rather than earning it. ## The Independent — Clarisse Loughrey Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 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. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-review-vol-3-b2329335.html) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3/) ## Radio Times Rating 4/5. 3 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/guardians-galaxy-vol-3-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review/5181476.article) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-a-racoon-rescue-caper-with-soul-93sw8zn3t) ## RogerEbert.com — Brian Tallerico Rating 3/4. 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-volume-3-2023) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/28/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-james-gunns-fun-and-energetic-threequel) ## The i Paper — Christina Newland Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-a-surprisingly-harrowing-final-instalment-2313419) ## Little White Lies Rating 2/3/3. 5 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3) ## Time Out — Michael Juliano Rating 3/5. 27 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-2023) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 3 August 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-marvel/) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-reviewed-whos-restraining-whom) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-james-gunn-chris-pratt-1235403892/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Rating Critic's Pick. 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-chris-pratt-1235597519/) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2023/05/05/marvel/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-james-gunn-marvel-dc) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating B+. 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://collider.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Linda Marric Rating 4/5. 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review/) ## NME — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-volume-3-review-james-gunn-3437058) ## Deadline — Damon Wise 28 April 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/04/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review-no-sign-of-burnout-in-the-adventures-of-star-lord-1235340889/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4 out of 5. 3 May 2023. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-james-gunn-marvel-formula-problems/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md