Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Peter Quill), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally the Guardians of the Galaxy on a mission to defend the universe and protect one of their own.

When Guardians of the Galaxy was first announced back in 2012 it was a title that took many by surprise. As the scrappiest group of outsider characters in the Marvel Universe, many had no idea what would occur when the untapped mad genius of James Gunn would be set loose when he finally brought this wise-cracking team to the big screen in 2014. And the rest as they say is history. From that first beloved film to the much-hyped sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, to appearances in the greater MCU with Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love & Thunder and even their own beloved Christmas special, the Guardians have won the hearts of fans the world over and many would consider this outlaw family to be the core heart of the greater MCU. Now in his final Marvel Studios film, director James Gunn brings out all of his love and passion for these characters and pours it all into the most rockingest comic book film you’ll see all year.

Unleashing nothing but pure creative force, Gunn takes his roster of Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Mantis, Nebula, Kraglin Obfonteri, Cosmo the Spacedog, Groot and Rocket on one crazy final voyage. And this is a picture that will knock you right back into your seat thanks to the level of awesone that is set to MAXX! With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 Gunn sets out to tell the final chapter in the mythos of this core Guardians team, and it’s a narrative that’s heavy on action, emotion and heart. And trust me when I say not a dry eye will be left in the theatre by the time the credits begin to roll. Every piece of this film has Gunn’s stamp of love on it, and you truly feel that he’s made this a family experience for the entire cast and crew with his dedication shining through in every moment of footage.

The Guardians of the Galaxy have been through a lot within the MCU, and Volume 3 throws them into a ringer with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) in the grips of a major depression at having lost the love of his life, Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), who in her new form wants nothing to do with him. But when disaster strikes and one of their own is threatened, Pratt’s Star-Lord has to pull it together and audiences are thrown into the do-or-die mission that moves forward at a rapid pace. Pratt finds his rhythm once again as Quill in this picture, and Gunn tests him with a script that changes up his relationships with key characters such as Saldaña’s Gamora and Karen Gillan’s Nebula. And it’s interesting to see what happens next. Saldaña’s newer Gamora is a real riot to watch on screen as well, and she’s riding roughhouse with this character.

With each new Guardians film, we’ve seen an ever greater cast of characters grow and evolve with their story, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is very much a family movie. Again Gunn throws his characters to the far corners of the universe and the usual bickering and tantrums follow. But these characters truly love one another and whenever they’re together nothing can stop them. Following Gamora’s departure to the Ravagers, its Karen Gillan’s Nebula who steps up in the ranks of the Guardians to provide the maturity that the team needs. Drax and Mantis’ back and fourth puppy love for each other continues, and both Dave Bautista and Pom Klementoff are again utterly hilarious together. Sean Gunn’s Kraglin Obfonteri again fumbles with his heroism, but eventually finds the courage he needs, while Maria Bakalova brings the perfect mix of presence to the ever-loveable Cosmo the Spacedog. And Groot well, we love Groot and Vin Diesel’s personality again shines through.

But all in all, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is the story of Rocket. And Gunn takes you on one incredible rollercoaster of emotions as his story plays out. Through flashbacks, we come to learn how Rocket became Rocket, and his is an utterly heart-wrenching origin that leads to plenty of raw emotions. And even though he suffers at the hands of the depraved High Evolutionary, there are also moments of pure love and light as Rocket’s previous family of friends are revealed. While I won’t go into too much detail, I will say that Rocket’s story will touch your heart in the most loving of ways, and Bradley Cooper’s care and performance in bearing Rocket’s soul to audiences is what gives this film its feeling.

The Guardians may have saved the universe countless times, but in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, they find themselves facing their most personal battle yet. Their foe this time around is a sociopathic, scientific narcissist known as the High Evolutionary and he has a seriously unchecked God complex. With vigour and glee, Chukwudi Iwuji gives a masterful performance as this deranged character, and his untapped ego and sinister mind make him one of the scariest ever villains to grace the realm of the MCU. There’s nothing redeeming or fanciful about the High Evolutionary and he’s one messed-up villain who deserves nothing more than to be taken down.

With each new entry in the Guardians of the Galaxy narrative, James Gunn has worked to elevate the intensity, drama and action of the franchise. And he revs up the decibels with Volume 3. Bold in scope, and jacked to the core, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 packs in a whole heap of action onto the screen and the audience will have to remember to breathe. This is a film that rushes forward at every moment, and no spare frame is left off of the screen as the Guardians go to work. But while the action will elevate your adrenaline it’s the film’s thematic touchpoints of what it means to be a family where Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 truly finds its feeling, and you’ll need a good source of tissues because you’ll be on the verge of tears by the time that the credits begin to roll.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is James Gunn’s last MCU hurrah and it’s an utterly spectacular vision of the universe’s greatest bunch of misfits. This is an incredibly special film to witness and it’ll carry you away into the forever and beautiful sky.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Check them out below:

10. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

We’ve been waiting a long time for Guy Ritchie’s cinematic return and we’re finally on the eve of the release of his long-awaited spy-action-comedy Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. Re-teaming again with long time collaborator after their masterful work on the intense and driven revenge thriller Wrath of Man, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre will allow the two of them some space to play around with the spy genre and it looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. With a packed-out supporting cast including Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett and Hugh Grant, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is a film you won’t want to miss out on.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre will arrive in cinemas on January 12, 2023.

9. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Marvel Studios fans will be in for a very big treat this year with some absolutely stellar releases coming our way and one of my most anticipated Marvel releases is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Marvel Studio’s Ant-Man films have long been some of my favourite entries in the MCU and I’m excited to see how director Peyton Reed pushes the envelope with this new entry. My MCU tastes lean more towards the spectacular and the cosmic so I’m incredibly excited to see how we get to explore the Quantum Realm and how the new big bad Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) is about to change the MCU forever!

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will arrive in cinemas on February 17, 2023.

8. Babylon

When it comes to rising auteur cinema voices, one man leading the charge is writer-director Damien Chazelle and he’s about to make the silent movie era loud in Babylon. With a cast including Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, Babylon is shaping up to be one of my must-watch movie events of the year and this film looks sexy, glamourous, seductive, and utterly wild.

Babylon will arrive in cinemas on January 19, 2023.

7. Killers of the Flower Moon

When it comes to cinema legends they don’t come with more talent or respect for the craft of cinema than the legendary Martin Scorsese. And this cinematic visionary is ready to bring an incredible sense of drama with his high-profile historical-dramatic-crime-epic Killers of the Flower Moon. Based on the horrendous true-life murders that occurred in Oklahoma in the early 1920s, Scorsese along with his cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons and Robert DeNiro will no doubt bring about an intense and suspenseful watch, and Killers of the Flower Moon could very well end up being one of 2023’s best releases.

Killers of the Flower Moon will be released on Apple TV+ in 2023.

6. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

When it comes to Hollywood movie stars they don’t get much bigger than Tom Cruise, and now the king of blockbuster cinema is returning as super spy Ethan Hunt for one hell of a thrill ride with 2023’s must-watch action picture Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. This first chapter in what will be a two-part epic will be the culmination of the Mission: Impossible franchise and Cruise is going all out with this action epic and is pushing the limit when it comes to stunts and action. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is shaping up to be pure cinematic action fun and audiences will be in for a rush when it releases later this year.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One will arrive in cinemas on July 13, 2023.

5. John Wick: Chapter 4

Keanu Reeves is back as super-assassin John Wick and he’s ready to bring the wrath to the members of the High Table and bullets and blood will be spent. This fourth entry in what is one of Hollywood’s best new modern franchises continues to turn up the dial on the excitement and intensity of the cinema craft and both Reeves and director Chad Stahelski are ready to bring it with this one.

John Wick: Chapter 4 will arrive in cinemas on March 23, 2023.

4. Barbie

When it comes to 2023 releases one of my standout must-watch films of 2023 is undoubtedly Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. With Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead, this is an absolute must-watch 2023 and the recent teaser trailer certainly got my excitement up for this pastel-coloured extravaganza, which will deliver audiences a serious twist with its narrative. Bight, colourful and packed full of fun, Barbie will get its audience grooving.

Barbie will arrive in cinemas on July 24, 2023.

3. Dune: Part Two

In 2021 visionary filmmaker Denis Villeneuve brought the grandest of science fiction epics to the big screen with Dune. Realising the mighty deserts of the world of Arrakis, Villeneuve is ready once more to transport audiences back to this far-off galaxy as he continues to the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his journey to becoming the mighty Muad’Dib. With his incredible returning cast including Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgard, alongside new actors including Florence Pugh, Austin Butler and the legendary Christopher Walken, Dune: Part Two is an epic that will be a must-see big screen event.

Dune: Part Two will arrive in cinemas on November 3, 2023.

2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3

The penultimate chapter of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy is set to arrive this year, and I couldn’t be more excited to hang out with my all-time favourite MCU characters. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is shaping up to be an epically fun watch, and James Gunn is once again ready to work his magic on the galaxy’s greatest-ever group of outlaws. From the first teaser, it’s clear that the emotions are going to run high with this one and I can’t wait to hear the playlist and catch the action on this must-watch MCU film.

Guardians of the Guardians Vol.3 will arrive in cinemas on May 5, 2023.

1. Oppenheimer

But when it comes down to it there’s one film that tops my list of must-watch feature films for 2022 and that’s Christopher Nolan’s WWII historical blockbuster epic, Oppenheimer. Bringing to life the genius and terror of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s creation of the atomic bomb and the dawn of the nuclear age, Oppenheimer is Nolan firing on all cylinders and this is shaping up to be a monumental achievement in cinema. Shot exclusively with IMAX cameras, Oppenheimer is a film that audiences will want to see on the biggest screen possible and its epic scale, scope, cast and narrative make this my most anticipated film of 2023.

Oppenheimer will arrive in cinemas on July 21, 2023.

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Watch the first trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Peter Quill), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), must rally the Guardians of the Galaxy on a mission to defend the universe and protect one of their own.

Described by James Gunn as the concluding chapter of his Guardians of the Galaxy saga, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 looks to be a film of big drama and emotion as the Guardians take on their most personal mission to not only save the universe, but each other as well.

James Gunni throwing everything of himself as a filmmaker into this project, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is ready to take audiences to the furthest uncharted sections of the cosmic side of the MCU yet. And it’s going to be very exciting to see what happens with this film.

Within the world of the MCU, the Guardians of the Galaxy rank as my favourite characters of all time, and I’m extremely excited to see how this movie shapes up and the surprises and action that awaits. While this teaser trailer does move fast, audiences get a closer look at new threats that are posed to the Guardians who include the sociopathic nemesis of the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), along with the cosmic force of Adam Warlock (Will Poulter).

The heart and crux of this teaser trailer is also focused around the character of Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) who has become an integral part of the MCU, and I’m certain his appearance and performance in this picture will result in plenty of tears. Just watching this teaser trailer I can feel the emotion and I have no doubt that its about to be a very heavy watch.

Get ready for one hell of a final ride when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 arrives in cinemas next year on May 4, 2023.

Images: Walt Disney Pictures

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Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket, Mantis, and Groot engage in some spirited shenanigans.

Everyone who knows me knows that The Guardians of the Galaxy are my favourite part of the MCU with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 ranking as my all-time favourite MCU film. Now in a very special presentation for Disney+, all-star creative James Gunn presents fans of the MCU with a very special present in the form of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. And it is a riotous bit of holiday fun, delivered as only James Gunn does. Having purchased the off-world hub of Knowhere from The Collector and taken Cosmo The Spacedog into their ranks, The Guardians of the Galaxy are adjusting to a post-blip life, but their leader, Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is rather down and despondent due to the loss of Gamora. Seeking a way to cheer him up Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) decide to throw him a Christmas party with a very special gift. And that’s where the fun begins.

Taking inspiration from the legendary Star Wars Holiday Special, James Gunn brings fans a great bit of festive cheer with this very special presentation and it’s completely wild. Dave Bautista’s Drax and Pom Klementoff’s Mantis are the perfect odd couple as they take a road trip to Hollywood and get a crash course on the festive season. And hilarity ensues. With Bautista’s pitch-perfect sense of dry comedy and Klementieff’s over-the-top enthusiasm, things get crazy quickly and we see the two of them hanging out on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, hitting up a nightclub and tracking down a very special present in the form of the legendary Kevin Bacon! It all hums together perfectly, with Gunn’s unique sense of tone and quirks and you’ll be in a fit of happiness with this feature.

Gunn is in his element with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and his sense of creativity is on fire with this production. His writing and knowledge of these characters are just incredible and along with the hi-jinks, we also get some great new worldbuilding elements. These include a newly formed Guardians of the Galaxy who are now in control of the celestial world of Knowhere, and the introduction of Cosmo the Spacedog, a frequent background character in all the Guardians films who is now brought to life by Maria Bakalova, and whose psychic powers are a little bit bewildering for Rocket (Bradley Cooper). Groot (Vin Diesel) has now graduated from teenager to young adult and he’s getting bulky fast so watch out there.

But while hi-jinks and science-fiction lore are fun, it’s the presence of the legendary Kevin Bacon, Peter Quill’s childhood hero of the 1980s where The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special finds its heart. Cast as a fictionalised version of himself, Bacon is kidnapped by Drax and Mantis as a ‘gift’ for Quill and after a brief misunderstanding, he’s able to show Quill and the rest of the Guardians what the true meaning of Christmas is really all about. In a wide-eyed musical number, Bacon lets his voice be heard and you’ll certainly feel the love and have that stirring of that Christmas feeling by the end of this presentation.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is an exceptional watch and it’ll give you all the warm fuzzies and make you very happy for Christmas. Got get the family together, put on that sweater and have fun with this very sweet film.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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