Now Available on Digital
It doesn’t get any bigger than this! In the third (and possibly last) installment of James Gunn’s Marvel Studios space epic Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 the intergalactic mercenaries must rally all their forces to save one of their own with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance!
The fate of the universe is once again in their hands. No really, it sounds desperate but our heroes must first take stock of one of their own, before turning their attention to the next “big bad” plaguing the MCU in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 available now on Digital and soon on home video. The third film in the Guardians franchise is directed by James Gunn who has shepherded along the series since the beginning (and contributed to space-faring heroes’ crossover appearances in The Infinity Saga), but this will likely be Gunn’s last as the filmmaker is moving onto the competition and taking on the DC legacy.
So it seems only fitting that after all our group of space adventurers has been through, this volume ties up some knots and wraps up the loose ends, and in so doing entangles its story amid one of the group’s most popular member's origin stories all the while introducing into the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet another enigmatic villain from the pages of the comics. Gunn has said that the first film was about Star-Lord, Peter Quill’s mother, and assembling the team, and the second volume was definitely about Quill’s father and expanding the family — the Infinity Saga had its consequences — and now in this final chapter, it’s about the heart of the team, and discovering the “self”.
When Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), the group’s brassy pilot and raccoon-at-arms is mortally wounded in an attack on the team, Peter (Chris Pratt) must uncover secrets from Rocket’s past in order to save his life. Using her bionic interfaces, Nebula (Karen Gillan) is able to discern that someone has installed a “kill switch” inside Rocket and unless they can deactivate it, their friend will die. The Guardians all rally together, including Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) who has allied herself with the Ravagers, the outlaws that first kidnapped Peter Quill from Earth when he was just a kid. Peter is having a tough time dealing with this Gamora who is technically an alternate version of his one-time love!
The family dynamics and emotional intricacies are front and center in this film which is undoubtedly the MCU’s most emotionally wrought and joyous adventure. All of the Guardians get their moment in the sun. Still, most importantly each has a shining revelation that pulls back the onion and reveals just how much heart a cosmic adventure with special effects spectacular can have. Drax (Dave Bautista) the Destroyer and the empathic Mantis (Pom Klementieff) are at their best, bringing the funny and warmth that really land some of the film’s most tender bits, all the while kicking some major butt! Sean Gunn as Kraglin and Maria Bakalova providing the voice for Cosmo the Space Dog, have also arrived!
The addition of Will Poulter as Adam Warlock (the origins of the character were teased in the stinger to Vol. 2), one of the Marvel book's most enigmatic and powerful characters, lends hope that this may not be the last time that we’ve partnered up with the Guardians. As the High Evolutionary, actor Chukwudi Iwuji raises that villain’s profile and enlightens audiences on his far-reaching plans of correcting the evolutionary pool, which included the creation of Rocket Raccoon, and other genetic manipulation that the mad scientist suggests he may have been responsible throughout the MCU.
Haven’t Seen The Last…
Although Gunn has brought all the arcs full circle in this volume of his trilogy, the filmmaker has relevantly left the door open to return to the galaxy! The Guardians continue even as many of their paths diverge by the final act, but this family can’t be left apart. Marvel Studios has also promised the return of “The Legendary Star-Lord” citing that Chris Pratt may get his jet boots back on and carry on in some other capacity outside the cinematic universe. With so many of the MCU schedules pushed or otherwise paused for the moment (due to the Writer’s Strike), fans will have some time to ponder that next generation of Guardians.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the most satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and lands not only because of its consistent dedication to high adventure capitalizing on the Marvel genre, but it doesn’t compromise on heart. There is so much love in this film, you can’t help but cheer for our heroes and feel their conflict when they decide that the time has come to move on! This isn’t an ending, it’s a new beginning — the Guardians have finally grown up and you can bet that so long as there are baddies to bust, we’re in good hands, paws, tentacles — whatever!
Extra! Extra!
The film is packaged with some really exciting bonus content that explores “The Imperfect, Perfect Family” and reveals through commentary from the cast and crew why the Guardians of the Galaxy remain such a fundamentally unique part of the Marvel Comics and Cinematic Universe. Another featurette delves into the significance of Rocket Raccoon and how much James Gunn identifies with the character. The behind-the-scenes feature explores all the components that went into bringing Rocket to the big screen and literally make him leap from the page!
The bonafide best bit in the bunch is the 6-minute Gag Reel, which throws everyone under the bus, catching the cast and crew at their most vulnerable moments and having some fun while at work. Also included are several Deleted Scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the film. Gunn has often commented that one day he might be tempted into releasing “Director’s Cut” of his three Guardian flicks. He’d certainly have the material for it. The director has also provided his own commentary on the film, so he can get the honest tea from the man himself!
The Digital Version of the film is available now to buy across all digital store markets and the 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD packages are expected with a street date of August 1st.
Get your #FansEyeView of the trailer to GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 here:
Marvel Studios GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 3 | starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel, directed by James Gunn, is available now on Digital Download to own and will be coming to 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD in August!
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