First “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” Reactions Say Trilogy Closes With a Thrilling, All-Time MCU Classic

We’re a week away from the premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, the third and final film in James Gunn’s trilogy. It’s a bittersweet ending for Gunn, who, as you know by now, is the new co-chief at Marvel’s rival, DC Studios. Yet his final film is a momentous one for the filmmaker and for the MCU, and now the first reactions from critics are finally here. 

The film sees all the original Guardians returning for one final adventure—Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff). Although Peter Quill has been he the leader of the Guardians thus far, Vol. 3 is very much Rocket’s story, too, as the movie delves into his tragic backstory. The how and why of Rocket becoming Rocket involves the film’s new villain, the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), the man who led the experimentations that turned a raccoon into a walking, talking weapons expert. Another newcomer is Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), created by the Queen of the Sovereign, Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with the express purpose of hunting down the Guardians and finishing them off.

While the Guardians as a franchise will likely continue on within the MCU, it’s the end of the road for this particular group, which gives Vol. 3 a valedictory feel. Gunn and the cast have been together for more than a decade now, and their bonds are tight. “I’ve done jobs where I’ve been so close to people, then the job ends, and I just never see them again. And that happens,” Pratt said in a cover story in The Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t think that’ll happen with us.”

So, without further ado,  let’s take a spoiler-free peek at what the critics are saying:

Proud to report that #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 takes the trilogy out on an extremely high note.

Highlights include one of the best villain performances in action sequences ever in the #MCU.

Full thoughts on @comicbooknation! #GotGVol3 pic.twitter.com/WqhKD3QYTq

— Kofi Outlaw (@KofiOutlaw) April 28, 2023

After so much superhero movie fatigue, #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 is a refreshing & unexpected joy to watch. It carries tons of emotional weight, laughs & action. There were a few moments that surprised me in mixed ways, but it’s a beautiful tribute to friends who are like family. pic.twitter.com/T76Z83uUZj

— Kristen Maldonado (@kaymaldo) April 28, 2023

WE GOTTA TALK!!! #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 delivered in more ways than one! Emotional, action packed, comedic, and a tone that delivers.

GRAB THE TISSUES cause DAMN there are some MOMENTS man!! Rocket is the MAN!! Music choices Great per usual and VFX deliver! HAD A BLAST! pic.twitter.com/Z0Y5fQbPVu

— 🔴 NOW LIVE! 🔴 Leo Rydel (@GeeklyGoods) April 28, 2023

Loved #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3. @JamesGunn is leaving Marvel with an exceptional last film and it’s loaded with so many great moments it’s hard to pick my favorite scene. Saw in @IMAX and it was a fantastic presentation. Will miss these misfits a lot. pic.twitter.com/NNIYP6aNT1

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 28, 2023

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3, James Gunn bets the house on a, surprisingly, emotional story centered on Rocket and the love and friendship between these characters. Bets and wins. It’s pretty incredible (animal lovers, there are a couple tough scenes) #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 28, 2023

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 is full of stakes, emotion & feels like a solid ending (good thing!). The production design & set pieces are some of Marvel’s strongest. It’s long, but the theme of found family is & will always be it’s strength. I’ll miss these misfits 💙 #GotGVol3 pic.twitter.com/inK2g6rfAi

— Lauren LaMagna (@laurenlamango) April 28, 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is full of heart and brought me to tears on multiple occasions. @JamesGunn making it Rocket’s story pays off big. It’s not what you’re necessarily expecting, but it really does land. A perfect ending, too. @Guardians #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 pic.twitter.com/KdLhNUZdj6

— Joey Magidson (@JoeyMagidson) April 28, 2023

I teared up multiple times during #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy3. It’s one of the most emotionally satisfying trilogy cappers ever made, and Rocket’s storyline is as affecting as anything the MCU has ever done. Bravo, @JamesGunn. pic.twitter.com/TYdgbkKXWe

— Brian Davids (@PickYourBrian) April 28, 2023

Simply incredible. I can’t imagine #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 being a more perfect ending to James Gunn’s trilogy. Every payoff, every emotion, every character journey. It’s about as good as Marvel movies get. Funny, poignant, exciting, I want to watch it again right now. pic.twitter.com/1d1f6ksQaM

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 28, 2023

James Gunn really made one of the best CBM trilogies ever. #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 gives the franchise the perfect ending with an emotional story, good cgi and a TERRIFIC villain. It’s incredible how Gunn NEVER misses on humor, this movie is hilarious, good jokes at the right… pic.twitter.com/474wJlLB1C

— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) April 27, 2023

My reaction to #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 : thank God that James Gunn is back in the MCU. This is easily the best Marvel movie in years and had a real, heartfelt, and surprisingly wistful heart.

— David Crow (@DCrowsNest) April 28, 2023

Just screened #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 and it is an emotional and action-packed rollercoaster ride. It’s easily the best MCU film since No Way Home. I highly recommend watching the movie on the most giant screen possible to be immersed in this intergalactic story.

Thank you,… pic.twitter.com/H65uploLOg

— Sean Tajipour (@Seantaj) April 28, 2023

So the best way to describe #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 is that it’s beautiful. I felt satisfied, which lately for the MCU has been a bit of a chore. This movie reminded me why I love this so much. The story is special. Salute to Rocket Raccoon. James Gunn did it again!

— A Washed Kang (@AnthonyCanton_3) April 28, 2023

#GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 is a beautiful love letter to the universe’s best ragtag group of misfits. What I loved most about it is that it’s a story about the bonds of chosen family thru deep trauma… that just so happens to be a Marvel movie. Rocket and his arc are the MVP. pic.twitter.com/VqdKvyNqUg

— Manning Franks (@Cine_Mann) April 28, 2023

#GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 is
not only the best of the trilogy, it’s also better than 90% of Phase 4 MCU content we’ve gotten across film and streaming
It stayed true to its emotional core with sincerity and did not use its levity to undercut it with poorly placed gags and quips pic.twitter.com/j9gHdkYTE6

— Zayyan Farooqi (@ZayyanFarooqi) April 28, 2023

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Featured image: Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.