Volume 3 of Guardians of the Galaxy is out and it is Peter Quill’s last time with the gang. In the wake of Gamora's demise, Peter Quill is still struggling to come to terms with the loss. However, he knows that he must set aside his grief and lead his team in a pivotal mission. They must protect not only the universe but also one of their own. Failure is not an option, as the Guardians' very existence hangs in the balance.

The chaos begins with a sudden and violent assault. Adam Warlock, a figure radiating a dazzling golden aura, charges into Knowhere with a ferocity that could rival Superman's. Rocket bears the brunt of the attack in the ensuing chaos and is left teetering on the brink of death.

This pivotal moment sets the film on two parallel tracks. One, a flashback to Rocket's tumultuous past. The other is a race against time for the Guardians to save their wounded comrade. Their mission takes them to the doorstep of the High Evolutionary. This deranged scientist once attempted to hasten the evolutionary process to create his ideal society, Counter-Earth. This played a pivotal role in Rocket's creation all those years ago.

As expected, the Guardians are not without their emotional baggage as they embark on their latest quest. Peter, still grappling with the loss of Gamora, who was killed by Thanos, finds himself emotionally unstable when he comes face-to-face with an alternate-timeline version of her, who has no recollection of their past with the Guardians. While Gamora does become involved in the mission to save Rocket, her romantic entanglement with Star-Lord takes a backseat in this installment.

Many other filmmakers may have made the narrative of "Vol. 3" solely about reuniting Peter and Gamora. However, this film instead places greater emphasis on Rocket's backstory, resulting in a different chemistry between Pratt and Saldaña. In particular, Saldaña's portrayal of Gamora is noteworthy as she eyes the other Guardians skeptically. Particularly, the one who claims to love a different version of her.

The entire gang, including Groot (voice by Vin Diesel), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Nebula (Karen Gillan), embarks on a journey to confront the High Evolutionary. Their initial goal is to save Rocket's life, but as events unfold, it becomes obvious that the fate of the entire galaxy they must protect is at stake. The standout character in this adventure turns out to be the affable and brawny Drax, portrayed brilliantly by Bautista, who displays his comedic skills. Despite his reputation for being violent and unsentimental, he endears himself to young audiences.

This film takes a refreshing approach by pushing the Guardians of the Galaxy to confront their fears and break away from their usual routine, even if it means bidding farewell to some cherished elements. The High Evolutionary's impact on the team is more significant than he realized, as he inadvertently inspired them to develop and mature, becoming somewhat improved versions of themselves. This transformation offers a glimmer of hope that we, too, can learn and evolve from our experiences.