Any and all hope for Marvel enthusiasts is that the movies will keep their timeless feel, rather than films and series being made by the masses. This film does exactly that, bringing some nostalgia and encapsulating the emotion along with great cinematography making it truly worth it to watch.

Even being the third movie in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, it is not necessary to watch the other films beforehand, even though it is recommended. Scattered throughout the first half of the film are background details such as the upbringing of Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt, as well as his relationship with Gamora, played by Zoe Saldaña. While this will give the viewer a fuller picture of the movie itself, it is much easier to follow the plot with both volumes one and two in your arsenal. However, one of the biggest differences in this film is the lack of upbeat moments at the start. If anything, the film almost feels more like a Marvel-themed horror movie. It starts off introducing the main characters, the Guardians, in their headquarters, Knowhere. With a quick cameo of a talking raccoon named Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper, one of the many villains of the movie is introduced, and severely harms Rocket. The goal of the film is to save Rocket, which in turn, leads the Guardians and the audience to learn about the rodent’s tragic backstory.

As for another one of the protagonists, Peter Quill, he is portrayed slightly differently. From being the comical, smart guy to the vulnerable, lovesick hero, he gives off a different vibe than the former two movies. His first love disassociates herself from him, leading him into a downward spiral into alcoholism. However, when his friends are in need, he steps back into the persona of self-motivated and self-made warrior.

While this movie is heartfelt and very moving, it has gotten the lowest score in the trilogy, a grand 82% from Rotten Tomatoes, 64% from Metacritic, but the highest 83% from IMBd. But is it fair to judge the film based on those percentages and is it really worth it? Will it ruin one’s love for the entirety of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies? Simply stated, yes it is worth it and no it will not. It is not as similar to the first two films, but it brings a new perspective and a creative storyline to mix things up. If you are looking for an exact copy of the other Guardians of the Galaxy movies, this may not be the movie for you. But if you are looking for a wholesome movie with a storyline like no other, this movie is just for you!