Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an outstanding conclusion to the beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe film series – well, at least for the ones with Guardians of the Galaxy in the title. The third and final film in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the 32^nd feature-film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Produced by Kevin Feige (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Bradley Cooper, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, and Chukwudi Iwuji.

The Guardians of the Galaxy have returned for one more epic adventure. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) unites the team and sets forth a new and epic mission. Struggling to overcome the death of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Star-Lord now finds himself meeting an alternate version of Gamora – as an added-bonus, alternate Gamora is just as hot. Can Star-Lord and Gamora rekindle their old flame? Does being an “alternate” version have any impact on romantic sparks?

Meanwhile, unexpected dangers await the Guardians of the Galaxy as the team suits up once more. With Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Groot (Vin Diesel) and the rest of the gang teaming up for the incredible journey – setting forth on a mission to save the universe and defeat the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). Can these unlikely heroes save the universe once more?

The performances added so much heart and pathos to the filmmaking. Chris Pratt continues to be a scene stealer as the lovable goofball Star- Lord. Zoe Saldaña is wonderful as Gamora and provides a sense of badass refinement to her role as the “alternate” Gamora. The chemistry between Pratt and Saldaña remains a huge part of the fun.

Bradley Cooper provides a pitch-perfect voice as the oddly lovable raccoon Rocket. Karen Gillan provides perfectly dark comedic timing in the role of Nebula. Dave Bautista is one of the most valuable players as the seemingly machismo but big-hearted Drax. Pom Klementieff is cute-and- charming in the lovable role of Mantis – one of the best characters in the series. (Mantis can “prey” on me any day of the week.)

Edited by Greg D'Auria (F9: The Fast Saga, Star Trek Beyond) and Fred Raskin (Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is well-paced fun. There is so much to enjoy about the editing style. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is perfectly timed and the editing offers balance between the action scenes and the comedic moments.

The production designs by Beth Mickle (The Suicide Squad, Drive) are impressive and there are a lot of beautiful vistas throughout the feature-film. The seamless blend between the CGI elements and the production scenery helps the filmmaking to feel more robust and entertaining. Mickle is a talented production designer and the efforts here are cinematic in every sense of the word.

The costumes by Judianna Makovsky (Avengers: Endgame, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) are superb and the heart imbued into the designs makes the film all the more engaging. Makovsky is a talented costume designer and someone with a wonderful sense of vision for each of the characters. Every character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 feels distinct and is brought to life in an altogether compelling manner.

Composed by John Murphy (The Suicide Squad, Kick-Ass), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a beautiful score and it builds on the franchise. The music provides a great backdrop to the action sequences. A spectacle from beginning to end. There is so much to enjoy about the score and its ability to bring heavy adrenaline to the epic sequences throughout the film.

Featuring cinematography by Henry Braham (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Suicide Squad), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is lush and visually stupendous. The lensing is incredible and this is unquestionably one of the most gorgeous looking films in the entire Marvel film series. A great achievement by Braham as cinematographer.

Written and directed by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of the best films to date by the writer-director. Gunn is one of the most gifted filmmakers in the entire Marvel universe. Disney should never have fired Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and it is wonderful how the cast stood up for him and his wonderful filmmaking.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a perfect swan-song capper to the trilogy and the storytelling is superb throughout. Gunn not only delivers action-spectacle in spades but he provides plenty of heart & compassion for his cast of characters. There is nothing else quite like the Marvel Gunn films and audiences have been gifted something remarkably special with each installment in the franchise. Outstandingly quirky, offbeat, and unique –the Marvel Cinematic Universe could use some more features by Gunn in the future (if Disney & Marvel can even wrangle Gunn away from DC).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Disney and Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 3D is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 MVC encoded high- definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. Outstanding detail and clarity are present throughout the 3D feature presentation. For 3D fans, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 3D is incredible on the 3D Blu-ray format. The presentation is outstanding on my reference- grade OLED65E6P.

With my reference quality 3D 4K OLED display, the picture-quality is both vibrant and immersive. The 3D depth and immersion provided by the presentation is incredible and achieves a near-perfect image. The CG effects are beautifully showcased in 3D. The lush visuals manage to make an even bigger impression on the format. The 3D release provides superb cinematography and a good balance between effects and an emphasis on depth. For 3D enthusiasts wanting to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 3D in the best possible way, the 3D Blu-ray is easily the best way to experience the film on home media. A stellar release.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Dolby Atmos surround sound. The Atmos audio sound mix is fantastic and immersive. The atmospheric audio brings out the best in the soundstage. The score sounds beautiful and the sound mixing is capably reproduced by the audio team. There is superb directionality with regards to the surrounds and the implementation of the Atmos audio.

One of the wonderful things about the Blu-ray format is the lossless audio. Streaming video services only provide lossy (non-lossless) audio encoding. For home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, the lossless audio provides a greater sense of clarity and immersion. The 24-bit depth encoding is also impressive with a lower noise-floor and a more expansive soundstage. The result is a more satisfying audio experience.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The combo pack release includes the same selection of bonus features as included on the standard edition Blu-ray. The bonus features are provided on the standard Blu-ray in the 3D Blu-ray / 4K UHD / Blu-ray combo pack edition. For more information on the included bonus features, please refer to the review by my colleague Jeffrey Kauffman.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 3D is as close to a classic as one can get with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The filmmaking by writer-director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) is excellent – providing great care to every character and also to their efforts as a team. Gunn created a vision altogether unique within the Marvel film series. Gunn was the perfect filmmaker for the Guardians of the Galaxy films and no one else could have approached these characters like Gunn.

With great performances by the ensemble cast, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 3D is special and a must-see for Marvel fans. The 3D Blu-ray release provides an exceptional presentation, lossless audio, and a selection of bonus features. A must-own 3D Blu-ray for enthusiasts. Highly recommended.