All good things come to an end and so does the journey of Star-Lord’s (Chris Pratt) intergalactic team in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. With a 96% audience RT score & a fresh Tomatometer of 81% as of this writing – the final film from James Gunn‘s sci-fi MCU franchise tidily wraps up the story set out for Rocket Raccoon, Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Drax (Dave Bautisa). Whilst also opening the gates for their characters to flourish as standalone, especially Mantis (Pom Klementieff) & Peter Quill. Here’s a recap of the best moments that stood out.
Warning: Article contains major spoilers to GOTG Vol. 3
From that surprising yet heartwarming Yondu (Michael Rooker) cameo to hearing Groot’s wholesome expression, “I love you guys” – the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was packed with heart, drama, unbearable teary moments & more, as teased in the early positive reviews. Moreover, while James Gunn has assured this would be his curtain call moment with the Marvel franchise – the director also replaces the original ensemble with a new Guardians team – assuring the galaxy still has its protectors.
The biggest unanswered question on audiences’ minds after watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would be the fate of High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). But before discussing if the MCU’s most evil villain bit the dust after leaving him on his ship beaten to a pulp – The first 10 minutes sequence in GOTG Vol. 3 deserves much praise for being by far the somber and darkest Marvel film that has ever been. It arguably tops or matches the grim opening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Prior to the surprise arrival of Adam Warlock – the movie begins with a neutral setting that highlights Rocket’s pain due to his grim past, the Guardians helping build Nowhere and Quill drinking away his pain over Gamora’s absence. However, after the opening credits roll out, the first act begins by lightening the mood with the much-loved humor banter among the Guardians. However, it quickly raises the stakes when Warlock shoots an energy beam blast that leaves Rocket Raccoon with life-threatening injuries.
What follows are bare glimpses of Rocket’s backstory, the Guardians finally learning of his past. Known as 89P13 – created by High Evolutionary as an experiment to evolve species for Counter-Earth. It’s also when the Guardians realize Rocket has a kill switch on his heart since the High Evolutionary considers him proprietary technology. To save his best friend, Peter Quill and the others head to Orgocorp in search of the passkey to bypass the kill-switch.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 post-credits scene confirms Peter Quill is not over
It’s at Orgocorp where the Guardians, particularly Peter reunite with Gamora, who has found a place among the Ravagers. With their help, Quill, Nebula, Mantis, Drax and Groot manage to break inside the facility though not without attracting the Orgosentry’s attention.
There is another surprise for staunch James Gunn followers as the threequel introduces Jennifer Holland as Administrator Kwol. The Peacemaker star makes a brief but memorable appearance. During the same scene, we are also introduced to Nathan Fillion‘s Master Orgosentry Karja.
The first notable character death is Ayesha of the Sovereign. Her demise also becomes a pivotal turning point for Adam Warlock that leads him into aiding the Guardians in the end. In fact, Warlock saves Peter Quill (an act considered to be his second chance, especially since playing a role in Rocket’s harm) from certain death.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Karen Gillan as Nebula with upgraded arm
On the bright side, the Guardians get their happy ending with no teammate deaths reeling over them. Nonetheless, the threequel still features quite a few deaths, some unbearable to witness such as Layla’s demise in the hands of High Evolutionary including Rocket’s other pals Floor & Teefs dying in front of him.
The movie has an excruciating amount of cruelty depicting moments that showcase the early life of Rocket under the High Evolutionary. Even Nebula shows unfiltered emotions when she learns about Rocket’s past, “this is worse than what Thanos did to me”. Speaking of whom, her character development reaches its pique by the end where she also acknowledges Drax for his traits, “You weren’t born to be a destroyer, you were born to be a dad”.
Similar to Nebula, Drax who is mostly known for his Destroyer status gets to be a father figure to the hundred of white-haired young girls that were created by High Evolutionary. While Mantis with the Abilisk also goes off on her own journey.
Rocket Raccoon becomes the captain of new Guardians of the Galaxy
Most of all, Rocket gets closure after having a moment with Lyla and his friends in a place that seems to be the afterlife. Peter, Groot and Gamora revive Rocket Raccoon back after bypassing the kill switch. With Rocket alive and well, the movie is then all about the team blasting away all of the High Evoltionary’s Hell Spawn, ultimately leading to the big bad himself.
On the topic of closures, Kraglin (Sean Gunn) also finds his footing and finally learns to use Yaka Arrow after hearing Yondu’s advice, “Use your heart boy”. Yondu briefly appears as a vision to encourage Kraglin and as expected, he saves the people of Nowhere from the Hell Spawn attack. Though not without the help of Cosmo who finally gets to hear a “good boy” from Kraglin.
The High Evolutionary is left beaten up on the ground with his face and skin peeled away. Although Rocket decides not to kill him, the supervillain is on the ship when its blown to smithereens. Its highly likely High Evolutionary died due to the blast but since it’s never truly addressed, it can be argued Marvel could still bring him back.
Quill gets his closure from Gamora and decides to reach out to the family he abandoned on earth, it seems Mantis’ words did truly get to him. Meanwhile, Drax & Nebula take on the task to build a new society for the children on Nowhere.
The biggest takeaway from GOTG Vol. 3 was the team choosing Rocket Raccoon to be the new captain of the newly recruited Guardians. The Guardians of the Galaxy post-credits scene shows Rocket leading his team which includes a hulk size grown up version of Groot, Adam Warlock, one of the white-haired young girl
