Way Out Yonder
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3
Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillam, Chukwudi Lwuji, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bakalova and Sylvester Stallone
Director/Scriptwriter: James Gunn based on “Guardians of the Galaxy” by Dan Abnett and Andy Lannin
Composer: John Murphy
Cinematography: Henry Braham
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios
Rating: PG 13 (be aware of animal experimentation scenes and language)
Running Length: 150 Minutes
If you still have your “Guardians of the Galaxy” tape from the first two “Guardians” film, here comes Number 3 as an addition to your collection. Yes, “The Guardians” are back in full force, and although advertising that this is the last film in that series, methinks, there is probably something brewing somewhere that will continue the storyline.
Chris Pratt is not chasing dinosaurs here as in the “Jurassic World” film series, but has a list of villains to be dealt with. Actually, this film is more about the highly educated raccoon Rocket, who is voiced by Bradley Cooper (supposedly up for the newest “Batman” film.) The group of Guardians includes not only Pratt (Peter Quill), and Cooper (Rocket), but Dave Bautista (Drax), Vin Diesel (Groot), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Karen Gillian (Nebula who is Gamora’s adopted sister), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Sean Gunn (Kraglin), Will Poulter (Warlock). Then, there are the newer characters such as Chukwudi Lwuji (Dr. Wyndham), Elizabeth Debicki (Ayesha), and, oh, yes, Maria Bakalova voicing Cosmo the Space dog. If that isn’t enough, watch for Sylvester Stallone somewhere in the mix.
This is a vibrant, high-tech film not only with the weapons used, but in the movie sets that spring to life in front of you. At 150minutes long, there is plenty to look at. The theme is trying to help their friend, Rocket, who is seriously wounded in a raid by the enemy. The Guardians have to travel far and wide for assistance in saving Rocket. Thus, the group travels through space to Earth and other places. However, in the meantime, and there is always a “meantime,”) the person who created Rocket in the first place, wants him back***.
***This leads into the look of an animal experimental lab. Be aware of this.
Acting consists of surprised facial expressions and quips/ Outside of Rocket, my favorites are Drax with the comedy provided by Dave Bautista, and Groot, with Vin Diesel’s gravel voice, but who manages a dance . The villain, The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Lwuji) displays just the right amount of villainy and stands out as “The Villain”. While, Chris Pratt (Peter Quill, or the Star Lord) is the hero, rescues people and has quite an ability to escape.
The heart of the film, though, is Rocket the Raccoon, that caught audience’s attention many years ago when the first film came out. The idea of having a small animal as a walking weapons arsenal is unique, and here we see Rocket from a small animal to his adult form. Imagine somewhere - a rabbit with a shotgun or a parachuting squirrel with grenades or a mouse infiltrator with a small deadly hypodermic needle. Wiley Coyote is now left in the dust. Thus said, do sit through all of the credits for some interesting information.
Copyright 2023 Marie Asner
