It’s a bitter-sweet farewell to our favourite space-criminals-turned-heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 launches into cinemas worldwide this weekend. The 9-year journey helmed by the recently appointed creative head at DC, filmmaker James Gunn, introduced movie-goers to an obscure, wacky and downright juvenile group of ragtag humans, aliens, and a loveably angry raccoon, and over the course of three critically renowned and beloved films (plus a couple of appearances elsewhere in the MCU and they’re own Christmas special with Kevin Bacon!), and stole our hearts by making them the fan favourites who feel like our own family on the big screen.
As this trilogy comes to a close, let’s take a look back at this brilliant franchise full of heart-warming, heartbreaking and downright hilarious moments with our Top 5 Moments with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
5) Shooting down Ego
When Star-Lord finally gets to meet his birth father, Ego (Kurt Russell) in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it seems that his quest for finding closure in his own story is over and he can begin building a new relationship with his dad. Although Ego’s parenting style is less about teaching Quill how to shave or catch a ball, and more so about teaching him how to harness the power of a planet to take over the universe.
However, this relationship reaches a heartbreaking climax as Ego is revealing his world-dominating plan to his son and drops the bomb that Ego intentionally killed Star-Lord’s mother by putting the tumour that killed her in her brain on purpose. Despite being under Ego’s trance and feeling the ultimate power he could behold, hearing what Ego did to his mother breaks Star-Lord out of the trance and launches him into a hate-filled attack where he blasts Ego into oblivion, beginning the final assault on Ego and his planet (which, I guess, is technically Ego himself!)
The way James Gunn shoots Star-Lord’s face on the reveal, and Pratt’s vulnerably emotional acting really makes this one of the most emotional and shocking moments in the entire GotG series!
4) “You said it yourself, bitch! We’re the Guardians of the Galaxy”!
When superhero or super-group absolutely nails their catchphrase or introduction, it immediately creates an iconic moment. And especially for the Guardians, having watched them bicker and fight for 2 hours before finally uniting to destroy Ronan at the end of the first Guardians of the Galaxy, the sweet sensation of seeing them all hand-in-hand as Quill absorbs the power of the infinity stone is a cheer-worthy moment.
With Ronan completely shocked by Quill’s ability as a human to hold the stone, and with the Guardians using all their strength to absorb it’s power, Ronan questions how this is even possible. And in true, snappy, Star-Lord fashion, Quill replies:
“You said it yourself, bitch. We’re the Guardians of the Galaxy.” Mic drop.
3) No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn
The song itself is an absolute banger, but its needle drop moment in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3., leading into arguably one of the most bad-ass, well-choreographed, one shot action scenes (not just in GotG, but in the entire MCU) will undoubtedly be a memorable highlight for movie-goers.
The action in this corridor fight scene blends CGI and live action so seamlessly, with bombastic action that highlights each individual Guardian’s combat styles, all to the beats and tune of The Beastie Boys ‘No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn’ for an exciting and adrenaline pumping good time!
2) Yondu’s funeral
I’m not crying… you’re crying. The final 10 minutes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a beautiful culmination of the significantly more emotionally mature script that James Gunn wrote for this sequel. The character arcs of the Guardian’s in this film feel so authentic, which makes for engaging viewing that really grabs on to the heartstrings.
Nothing exemplifies that emotionality that after Yondu’s sacrifice to save Peter in which the Ravager’s return to farewell their old friend in a touching and colourful ‘Viking funeral’, featuring a stunning display of fireworks that the Guardian’s watch while all having their cathartic moments of self-realisation. Whether it’s Quill and Gamora’s “unspoken thing”, or Rocket realising that he no longer needs to push his new family away, the emotionally and visually beautiful moment is capped off by the sombre “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam playing as our tears, and the Guardians’ tears stream down.
1) “We are Groot”.
He’s arguably the most loved and adorable character in the franchise (with Rocket coming in close behind), and when the giant tree known as Groot says his iconic phrase: “I am Groot”, it always gets a laugh, no matter the inflection in his voice when he says it.
When Groot sacrifices himself by growing out his branches and roots to create a safe enclosure for his family, there was still a slither of hope that Groot would survive. But, when Rocket asks his best friend why he is doing this, Groot simply says: “We… are… Groot”, before the bright light of fire engulfs poor Groot, protecting his family in lieu of protecting himself.
This moment has been made even more heartbreaking when writer/director James Gunn confirmed that Groot actually died saving the Guardians, and Baby Groot is a completely new variant of our beloved tree!
What was your favourite moment in the Guardians of the Galaxy series? Let us know in the comments below, or on our social media pages! You can read Alaisdair’s review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 here.
