Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 - Does everyone deserve a second chance?

Overview: When Rocket is badly injured in battle, the team discover the horrific truth about their wise-cracking friend’s origin and come face-to-face with his creator, the High Evolutionary, a psychopathic scientist who wants to perfect creation.

What you liked: A great movie has you thinking about it for days after seeing it and I’m getting emotional just writing about this one three days later. There is so much to unpack and explore. Tonally, this film is very different to the first two, and it’s established early on with a grungy one-shot opening of Rocket walking around Knowhere to an acoustic version of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’. This is a darker Guardians film than perhaps we’re used to.

The loveable band of misfits we have grown to love are back and their dynamic is as captivating as ever. Despite the slight tonal shift, the comedy is still strong and there are many contributing factors to making this film a strong sentimental ending to the trilogy.

The first is James Gunn’s script and directing. The script overall is solid and there are lots of interesting storylines being explored in-between the emotional thread of Rocket’s past but they’re all masterfully balanced with the humour. Gunn’s directing is as spectacular as ever with brilliantly conceived visuals and action pieces as well as being able to mine into his cast’s acting abilities to provide some gut-wrenching scenes.

The second is the cast. Chris Pratt continues to be an incredible leading man. He switches from being a swaggering space buccaneer to a sensitive lost-child, who desperately wants to keep ahold of his new family, with such ease. Star-Lord could so easily be a two-dimensional character in the wrong hands but Pratt manages to maintain the heart of the films in his portrayal.