GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY vol. 3 (2023)

The written companion

Draft companion · Awaiting editorial review

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Rocket Turns the Finale Personal

Guardians has not always been the Marvel corner Matt feels closest to. Rocket is the exception, and making him central gives Vol. 3 an emotional route straight to Matt. He describes repeated tears and the anxious certainty that someone might not make it through this chapter.

Dan responds to how the film turns a group of familiar characters into a family the audience feels part of. Their discussion of a late moment involving Groot becomes an especially warm exchange: an interpretation shared by Dan makes Matt appreciate the scene even more.

The villain gives that affection something forceful to push against. Matt finds the performance captivating precisely because the character inspires such dislike. Wanting the heroes to prevail is easier when the opposing presence makes every appearance count.

What matters most to Matt is the sense of completion. He feels the characters receive satisfying destinations, enough that he could accept this as the end of their story together even if the franchise continues elsewhere. The film earns its farewell by making him care about who these people have become.

Did Rocket's story change how attached you felt to the Guardians? What makes a franchise farewell satisfying: closing every plot thread, or leaving its characters in a place that feels right?

Watch their Guardians Vol. 3 discussion ↗

Based on auto-generated captions. The full episode includes major spoilers and discussion of animal suffering; this companion avoids the characters' final outcomes.