What’s it about?

The beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to save one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

What did we think?

Anthony Sherratt says: Volume Three of the Guardians of The Galaxy is a return to the roots of what made the franchise so popular. This fourth installment (if you count the Christmas special) is reminiscent of the characterisation and irrevence of the first film and is a welcome return to emotion-charged whimsy. 

The only downside is the overplaying of that (heavy-handed) emotion. Two or three slow-motion high-emotional-intensity moments would have been ok but when they continue to keep coming over and over we’re steering into self-indulgent territory a little. It has to be said this slo-mo overuse makes the film feel a bit longer than it actually is. Considering director James Gunn’s influence on the Guardians, we can probably forgive this in his farewell MCU film.

Still, it’s a lot of fun, your eyes will get teary here and there, and you’ll leave satisfied. The music is as strong as always, the jokes are funny, the vin diesel love of family persists. 

WARNING: with the story looking back at Rocket’s origins there are a number of potential trigger moments with perceived animal cruelty.