Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3

The third Guardians movie is an animal lover’s worst nightmare and also a beautiful culmination of the spacefaring scoundrels’ adventures. Like its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 has the advantage of being mostly separated from the dumpster fire that is post-Endgame MCU, and just has to focus on wrapping up the titular group’s decade-long arcs. Thank god Marvel wised up and re-hired James Gunn to wrap up the trilogy because I can’t imagine anyone else sending off the original Guardians with this much love and understanding. The crew’s journey to save Rocket Raccoon from the demons of his past is heartfelt and raw, incredibly funny, and most importantly, earned. Working together helped each of the Guardians become the best versions of themselves, and after one final mission to save one of their own, the group decides that if they’re to keep growing, they have to forge their own paths. It’s sad to see the band break up, but at least they do so having learned so much about themselves and each other. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is perhaps the most appropriate finale the MCU has yet created, and that’s including Infinity War and Endgame. — Kenneth Shepard