5 Sheep Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
May 5, 2023

Directed By: James Gunn
Screenplay: James Gunn
Stars: Chris Pratt, Chukwudi Iwuji, Bradley Cooper (voices Rocket), Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillian, Vin Diesel (Voices Groot)
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive/drug references and thematic elements (add animal abuse).
Running Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Genre: Comics, science fiction, action-adventure, horror
Guardians of the Galaxy | Facebook
Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.

*As a warning for those out there, the film does have some animal abuse, as the villains in this story are scientists operating on animals and not for helping them. So, these villains get what they deserve. Still, PETA has cheered that, saying:

“Through Rocket, James Gunn has put a face, a name, and a personality on the millions of vulnerable animals being cycled through laboratories as we speak. PETA is celebrating this as the best animal rights film of the year for helping audiences see animals as individuals and suggesting that just because we can experiment on them doesn’t mean that we should.” 

I agree, ecause it does happen and most of these animals are not real but computerized. Help stop animal testing for real out there. Enough of that.

The movie begins with the GOTG team being attacked by Adam Warlock, a Sovereign warrior created by their high priestess Ayesha. After Adam overpowers them and seriously wounds Rocket, he is stabbed by Nebula and forced to flee. The Guardians are unable to tend to Rocket's wounds due to a kill switch, made by the company Orgocorp, embedded in him. 

Possible spoilers - highlight to read

They travel to Orgocorp's headquarters to find the override code. The alternate version of Gamora, who has joined the Ravagers, helps the Guardians infiltrate Orgocorp, which is owned by the High Evolutionary. They retrieve Rocket's file, but discover that the code has been removed. The group speculates that Theel, one of the High Evolutionary's advisors, has it, so they depart for Counter-Earth. They are followed by Ayesha and Adam, who are ordered by their creator, the High Evolutionary, to retrieve Rocket for his brain. 

The flashbacks in the movie show Rocket unconscious and obviously dreaming about when he was with other baby raccoons at an animal testing facility in space. All this builds to a climax where Rocket confronts the abusive scientist, the High Evolutionary, who is responsible for putting him on the road to becoming a hero and putting him and his friends through unspeakable pain, resolving, in the end, to prevent other animals from suffering the same fate.

The last film in this trilogy will have some sadness for folks at the end but happiness too. This last hurrah for our ragtag band of heroes is one that adds the finishing touch to a trilogy that was a wild, psychedelic-colored ride from the first film onward. This is a popcorn movie to see, just keep tissues on hand, but do know the villains get it and the heroes win. And isn’t that how a good movie should be?

I gave Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 5 space-hero sheep.

Reviewed by Pamela K. Kinney