Despite the highs and lows of the MCU, there is only one trilogy that has consistently captivated us: Guardians of the Galaxy. In simpler terms, “I am Groot.”
In 2014, James Gunn took a wild gamble by putting together a team of relatively unknown and unremarkable individuals, only recognizable to a small group of comic book fans. Despite being a risky move, it turned out to be one of the most successful decisions made by Kevin Feige during his time as a leader.
The first installment, Vol. 1, had a significant impact on popular culture. It featured an influential ’70s jukebox soundtrack, a muscular Chris Pratt, and was widely regarded as one of the greatest space operas since the original Star Wars trilogy. Furthermore, it solidified the concept of a larger franchise by demonstrating that successful films do not always require well-known heroes – as long as the movie is well-made, audiences will flock to see it.
However, the Guardians never attempted to take over the Marvel Cinematic Universe; instead, they perfected it in every installment of the trilogy.
Guardians of the Galaxy Takes Over Other MCU Trilogies
The MCU has its fair share of standout moments, from Captain America’s iconic moment of wielding Mjölnir to the epic ‘Portals’ walkout scene. The intense Iron Man vs. Cap and Bucky fight, the first 360 shot of the Avengers, and the hilarious “get help!”routine between Thor and Loki also stand out. However, when it comes to the overall film experience, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy takes the top spot. Kevin Feige’s decision to trust visionary director James Gunn, rather than solely relying on the Marvel brain trust (I’m looking at you, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), has resulted in a truly exceptional trilogy that can stand on its own.
Other trilogies may not necessarily be considered bad, but they do have notable weaknesses. For instance, Iron Man 2 mostly rehashes Tony Stark’s character development in preparation for The Avengers. Additionally, Thor: The Dark World is arguably one of the most forgettable superhero films ever made – I’ve seen it six times and can barely recall any details. While Captain America: Civil War is undeniably brilliant and one of the best movies in the MCU, it’s essentially just a rebranded version of The Avengers, and the Russo Brothers’ slow-paced direction is not necessarily a positive aspect.
Lyla informed Rocket that there are two types of hands: the ones that created us and the ones that guide them. Gunn is both, with the main responsibility of ensuring that each Guardian’s story can stand on its own while also contributing to the larger storylines that are always resolved. In just 90 minutes, he also developed the lore surrounding the Infinity Stones – the powerful objects that are essential to the first saga. As he jokingly mentioned earlier, “Everything is built upon that…and I basically made up this nonsense.”
In summary, Guardians of the Galaxy is the most well-connected trilogy, both in terms of emotions and plot. Despite the challenges faced by Gunn and his team in Infinity War and Endgame, they were able to navigate through and conclude Peter and Gamora’s heartbreaking love story in a way that left a lasting impact. “I’m sure we were quite a blast.”
Despite their initial success, the trilogy’s unconventional and endearing protagonists continued to improve as the series progressed. Volume 1 introduced them with a unique flair and heartfelt charm, while Volume 2 surpassed expectations by elevating the humor and music, featuring the brilliant casting of Kurt Russell as Ego, and concluding with a shocking and impactful finale. As Yondu famously stated, “He may have been your father, boy, but he wasn’t your daddy.”
Undoubtedly, Vol. 3 is the ultimate masterpiece as it encompasses all elements that make a movie great: emotion, humor, sorrow, a phenomenal soundtrack, intense action, breathtaking visuals, and a formidable villain in the form of Chukwudi Iwuji’s detestable High Evolutionary. However, beyond all these qualities, it resonates with us on a deeper level, reminding us of how much we will miss these characters. This was not just director Gunn’s final bow; it was a heartfelt farewell to the boundless potential of an uncompromised MCU, one that fearlessly explores character-driven narratives in the infinite and magnificent sky.
They played around, but it was us who ultimately fell in love.
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