Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Despite a few interesting moments this film is a waste of time.
First of all, please recognize that this movie lasts 2 hours, 29 minutes. It becomes an endurance test when you make the mistake of watching it at an AMC theater. As noted in an earlier review, they make you wait nearly ½ hour for the film to start with multiple previews and boring advertisements.
Despite some fine performances from great actors, director James Gunn found a way to make you repeatedly check your watch to see when this blasted ordeal will conclude. Quite frankly, I’m relieved that Galaxy Vol. 3 is the end of a trilogy.
In short order, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), is left on the edge of death by the demonic High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). In flashbacks you see how he conducted cybernetic experimentations on fuzzy little animals like Rocket. His plan is to create a perfect species to live in the perfect world of his creation.
To try and get chemicals to save Rocket, the Guardians must invade the High Evolutionary’s World. The entire film involves a constant battle between the Galaxy’s crew of Pete Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) and the enemy.
Having said all of that, the movie does have an upside. First of all, Zoe Saldana reappears as Gamora. Though she died in the last Avengers film, she now comes from a different dimension. Quill may still love her, but she no longer possesses “that loving feeling”.
However, the interaction of a young Rocket with a small group of chemically altered animals will bring a tear to your eye. Though they are brutally shot and killed by the Evolutionary, you watch Rocket on his death bed imagine seeing them invite him to join them in the afterlife where “it is always sunny, and you live forever.” It pulls at your heartstrings.
As a spoiler warning, all our heroes live as you watch them say goodbye to each other. The ending is the best part of this film.
