Gunn really knows how to bring out the magic in this group of actors, and their charm and love of the material bring this movie home.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 19, 2024

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is probably the final triumph of Marvel Studios...There is vision and ambition behind the third film in the trilogy, a personal sincerity that these superhero movies have lost.

Full Review | Jul 7, 2024

An effects-laden spectacle propped up by an out-of-this-world ensemble whose charm carries the film through expository back story, narrative set-up, dizzying fight scenes and enough platitudes about friends and family to fill a “Fast and Furious” movie.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jul 7, 2024

If this is the end, I couldn’t wish for a better one. It’s everything I want from a Marvel film, but it’s also a reminder that very few of them have the heart and vision of Gunn’s trilogy.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 3, 2024

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is about Rocket finally getting to heal those wounds and do what he could never do before when he was just becoming aware—stopping this madman. This part of the MCU has always been about healing childhood trauma.

Full Review | May 25, 2024

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 manages to be more than honest-to-god entertainment, one that has the liberated weirdness of material (like a stealth We3 adaptation) that was never expected to find a mass audiences.

Full Review | Dec 9, 2023

This is the last time we see the beloved guardians. The film is laced with emotional and entertaining bits that make the swan song a thrilling ride at the movies this week.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 27, 2023

For me, it was an unsatisfying conclusion as the wear and tear had begun to be exposed, caused mostly by a scrambled storyline and wayward storytelling.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 27, 2023

Now that nearly every other cinematic release reads like a holding pattern until they finally get around to mutants, Guardians Vol. 3 is the first sign in a while that Marvel might actually have some genuine enjoyment left in the tank.

Full Review | Oct 16, 2023

GotG3 has no real tie-in to the larger MCU. There are a few references to Thanos, the Snap, and the Infinity Stones, but that's about it. This tracks with the trilogy as a whole, which has always stood outside the larger Marvel narratives.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 8, 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a surprisingly risky blend of dark tones and sinister villainy with great visuals, tasty music, and the emotionality we expect.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 7, 2023

While the fun, laughter, and quips, set to jukebox favourites that made this ragtag MCU family a joy to hang with are all present and correct, there are some problems with the Guardians’ third outing

Full Review | Aug 27, 2023

The strongest material is perhaps the most unexpected: the backstory of Rocket Raccoon, which is involving and even touching in ways that the rest of the picture is not.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 27, 2023

It’s hopeful and poignant, filled with moments of empathy and integrity. Equal time is given to spectacle, with lots of stunning action sequences and psychedelic space weirdness.

Full Review | Aug 23, 2023

While not as engaging or fresh as the first two films Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 still had the usual James Gunn combination of dazzling CG environments, enjoyable action and great dialogue, so it was still a fun way to spend an evening.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 17, 2023

A gut punch of a film that had me in tears as much as it had me smiling.

Full Review | Aug 16, 2023

Gunn weaves a story with Rocket that is as horrifying as it is heartwarming.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Aug 8, 2023

…all just feels like indulgence of foppish creatives who don’t have much in the way of new or relatable ideas….

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 5, 2023

Rocket's origin story is great and the only highlight of the movie. Tonally it's all over the place and the runtime is about 25 minutes too long. After the brilliance of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 we're left wondering what happened to this series.

Full Review | Original Score: D | Aug 2, 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an emotionally powerful, tear-inducing "farewell" to James Gunn and his Guardians. Rocket's bittersweet storyline is the soul, heart, and engine running the best MCU film since Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Jul 25, 2023