After a long wait, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is finally here and it was definitely worth the wait. The movie is considered one of Marvel Studios’ best to date, and James Gunn’s masterful work on it is evident.

Rocket Raccoon Takes Center Stage

Rocket Raccoon is the star of the show in this installment, and Bradley Cooper’s characterization of the character is among the best in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film provides Rocket with deeply emotional moments that enhance his character even further.

Excellent Characterization Of Everyone

Despite the focus on Rocket, the rest of the cast is perfectly incorporated into the film’s complex narrative. Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord is having a hard time dealing with the death of his lover, but the character’s classic comedic chops are still present, and the balance between humor and heavy drama is pitch-perfect.

Gamora, Drax, and Mantis are handled superbly and receive excellent character development, making up for any shortcomings in the past. The version of Groot in Vol. 3 feels like the most fully realized and rounded take on the character yet.

New Faces And A Terrifying Villain

Newcomers Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock and Cosmo the Russian telepathic dog are also introduced, and the wait for their arrival is worth it. The villain, Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary, is one of Marvel’s best antagonists, and his performance perfectly captures the character’s twisted logic and terrifying, maddened evil genius.

Finer Details Of The Galaxy

The production design, costumes, VFX work, and musical selection in this installment are all fantastic, with only a slight costuming hiccup for the High Evolutionary.

James Gunn Created A Winner

James Gunn successfully sticks the landing for his era-ending story and creates one of the best movies in Marvel Studios’ history. With his move to DC Studios, fans hope he brings that same impressive quality to everything produced with Warner Bros. This project could be a much-needed win for Marvel Studios and the box office.