‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’ first reactions revealed
The first reactions from Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 have been revealed after audiences attended screenings yesterday (April 27).
The final chapter in the Marvel franchise – which stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Will Poulter and Chukwudi Iwuji – is out in the UK on May 3, two days before the US release on May 5.
Initial reactions from the Los Angeles premiere and subsequent press screenings have been largely positive, with many praising the third instalment as being an emotional final outing for the whole Guardians cast.
Uproxx critic Mike Ryan wrote that directer 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”.
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
Entertainment reporter Germain Lussier described the film as “simply incredible”, adding: “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.”
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
Film writer Erik Davis, meanwhile, described Vol. 3 as “beautiful & badass” and “an awesome conclusion to a damn epic trilogy”.
He added: “The pacing, the music, the heart, the humor, the sadness, the lovable lunacy – Gunn delivers his finest work yet. It’s perfect.”
James Gunn’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 is beautiful & badass – an awesome conclusion to a damn epic trilogy. The pacing, the music, the heart, the humor, the sadness, the lovable lunacy – Gunn delivers his finest work yet. It’s perfect. #GotGVol3 pic.twitter.com/MOy0RQeREQ
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 28, 2023
Critic Scott Menzel also said it could “quite possibly be my new favorite Marvel movie,” adding: “This movie worked for me on every single level. It’s emotional, funny, and action packed. It reminds you of why we all fell in love with these characters. James Gunn is leaving Marvel on a high note with the best film of his career thus far. Absolutely superb.”
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could quite possibly be my new favorite Marvel movie. This movie worked for me on every single level. It’s emotional, funny, and action packed. It reminds you of why we all fell in love with these characters. James Gunn is leaving Marvel on a high… pic.twitter.com/itrS5b672A
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) April 28, 2023
Other viewers have been less impressed, though, with Next Best Picture editor-in-chief Matt Neglia writing that, while the film “aspires for sweeping emotion, gut busting laughs & thrilling action”, it only “sometimes succeeds”, adding that “as a send off for all of these characters, it feels strangely uneven & anticlimactic”.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 aspires for sweeping emotion, gut busting laughs & thrilling action. It sometimes succeeds but as a send off for all of these characters, it feels strangely uneven & anticlimactic. Features the best makeup & visual effects of the trilogy. #GotGVol3 pic.twitter.com/IgOYEvbAPX
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) April 28, 2023
Another critic, Robert Daniels, said that they didn’t think any reaction to the film “really captures the weirdness” of it. “Tonally, emotionally, visually, and politically all over the place and overwrought. I don’t want to go so far as to proclaim it interesting, but it’s something. I guess.”
I don’t think any reaction around GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 really captures the weirdness of the film. Tonally, emotionally, visually, and politically all over the place and overwrought. I don’t want to go so far as to proclaim it interesting, but it’s something. I guess. pic.twitter.com/1RL4dZRWxv
— Robert Daniels (@812filmreviews) April 28, 2023
You can check out some more reactions below.
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
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
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is without a doubt the best superhero film of the year – the stakes have never been higher, and the emotions are high. This is one brutal entry, but it’s the best of the trilogy #gotgvol3 pic.twitter.com/guHvChLyAT
— alli (@allinicolee5) April 28, 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy 3: Colors! Personality! Stakes! Actually delighted that James Gunn brings something we almost never see in the MCU: finality. The end of a found family against the fabric of Marvel cosmic. I really liked this one. pic.twitter.com/d0C5dXIxDa
— Jeff Zhang 张佶润 (@strangeharbors) April 28, 2023
#GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3 has that #MCU magic!#JamesGunn quickly becoming phenomenal blockbuster director & might deliver a 🔥 #Superman movie
But he really needs to stop putting his family & friends in his movies – it’s super distracting & took me out of a whole sequence.… pic.twitter.com/Z2XMm8SRTO— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) April 28, 2023
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 is a cosmic success – the perfect ending to what will easily go down as Marvel’s best trilogy to date. Gunn was not kidding about the heartbreak our heroes had in store! His idiosyncratic action, humor & music cues are what elevate this swan song. pic.twitter.com/FRFm1SAHNT
— Dempsey Pillot (@DempseyPillot) April 28, 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is a brilliant end to a brilliant trilogy. It's very funny, emotional and everybody gets their stand-out moment. Will Poulter's Warlock is a terrific addition, yet the focus is rightly on telling a satisfying end for the Guardians. Gonna miss them. pic.twitter.com/ot6L67Q9Cf
— Ian Sandwell (@ian_sandwell) April 22, 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits so many emotional notes. I don’t know if it tops the first, which has a special place for me.
James Gunn really went all out, giving each character rich moments and really worthy conclusions. Story I didn’t expect. It’s heavy and really good. pic.twitter.com/Lijz5uGsFa— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) April 28, 2023
Elsewhere, director Gunn recently spoke to Rolling Stone about the process of soundtracking the final film in the trilogy.
“It was very, very difficult,” he said. “I felt very uncomfortable picking out songs and making sure that this was the right soundtrack. Do I move on to just all Eighties songs? Do I use all Nineties songs? Or do I do what a Zune would actually have — songs from different eras, which is what I ended up doing.”