Guardians of the Galaxy: What Next?

After a series of disappointing and pitiful movies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 changes the narrative and breaks the streak of underwhelming MCU content. Guardians of the Galaxy felt like a breath of fresh air by doing everything Marvel did right until Endgame - an immersive cinematic experience along with a crisp plot, impressive action sequence and an emotional connection with the audience. The movie is directed and written by James Gunn who didn't disappoint one bit. He delivered a concisely written plot clubbed with astounding cinematography which has one gobsmacked on their seat. The movie is quite emotional as our beloved Guardians teamed up for one last time accompanied by the unforced nature of the humour and soundtrack for which Guardians of the Galaxy is known for. Not one second of the film felt unnecessary during its runtime of almost 2½ hours which is quite impressive. You need to give extra points just cause of the soundtrack. The sequences from past and present were neatly stitched together and didn't feel haphazard. It is a light-hearted movie which can be watched during the weekend or after an exam.

The upcoming content will carry spoilers so SPOILER ALERT.

High Evolutionary 

No doubt Chukwudi Iwuji gave a really strong performance which would easily make him one of the most hated villains in the MCU. The foundation for High Evolutionary was laid strong along with a good build-up but the ending did not do justice to the character. "There is no God and that's why I stepped in" Besides this line, we have no clue behind his past story which led him to obsessively experiment with creatures to create "perfect creatures" for his Counter-Earth. And that was a massive complaint I had about the movie but due to how well-written and directed it is, one would fail to catch this fact.  

Star-Lord: Personal Opinion 

Since his stupidity in Infinity War which caused the "... and I am Iron Man" moment which still aches my heart to date, he really hasn't redeemed himself. I frankly couldn't care less about Peter Quill dying cause as much as I love him for his planning and jolly nature, he broke a lot of hearts by leading to the sacrifice of our beloved Iron Man. Albeit he doesn't die and is saved by Adam Warlock which gives him his redemption.

The Ending

I highly anticipated a member of the Guardians to die in the movie and to my surprise, everyone made it out alive with a perfect way of closing each and everyone's character arc. 

Mantis sets on a solo journey to experience herself. Star Lord - who almost died goes back to Earth to meet his 90-year-old grandpa which closes Star Lord's arc with him going back from where he was abducted. Drax goes from a destroyer to a dad, the way he was before Thanos destroyed his people. Nebula mellows down and is no more the mean Nebula we have seen in the previous movies which show the growth of her character. Rocket and Groot along with Adam Warlock, Kraglin, Cosmo the space dog and Phyla (the little girl we see running previously in the movie) form the new era of the Guardians. Phyla in comics wields the quantum bands - so will it be replicated in the MCU as well?  The end credit scene shows Peter Quill having breakfast at his grandpa's place with grandpa reading a newspaper which has easter eggs from Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special or is it hinting at Secret Invasion? The scene ends with Star-Lord will return flashing on the screen. 

What next? 

The division of The Guardians has given Marvel the choice to make spin-offs if they wish to but with the perfect character arc ending and James Gunn leaving MCU for DCEU, it seems highly unlikely that we will get one. Star-Lord will return but it doesn't seem like he and the new Guardians would be written before Avengers: Kang Dynasty or Avengers: Secret Wars. Many will be left disappointed at the "baby version" of Adam Warlock presented in the movie as he is a very powerful character in the comics which could be seen later in Avengers when he reaches his full potential. Adam Warlock was teased since Infinity War and we finally got to see him 5 years later but not the way I would have wanted to.

The Guardians (some if not all) will definitely team up for Secret Wars. 

It was the perfect way to end the trilogy and close all character narratives without sacrificing anyone along the way. 

Come and get your love 🎵

P.S: James Gunn please save DCEU now the way you bailed MCU.