It’s the end of an era as we see farewell to the iconic Marvel team and writer/director James Gunn as he jumps to DC Studios as its co-lead pilot.

Peter Quill, the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, is still heartbroken over the loss of his beloved Gamora. However, after the end of the Blip, there seems to be peace on Knowhere. That is, until a mysterious presence appears and begins to wreak havoc on the team and the residents. The being is Adam, created by the Sovereign in retaliation for the Guardians’ actions against them. Rocket is critically injured in the melee and the only way to save him is to find the code necessary to kickstart his heart.

Quill, Groot, Nebula, Drax, and Mantis head to find the High Evolutionary, who is the original creator of Rocket. The High Evolutionary has been looking for Rocket for many years because Rocket may not be physically perfect for what he intended but has the superior intelligence to even outsmart him. However, this is not going to be easy, because Gamora has returned and is now a Ravager, yet due to her past has no recollection of Quill. And to make matters worse, not only do the Guardians have to worry about the High Evolutionary, but they still have to deal with the mysterious Adam.

It’s been a long time coming, but not since the death of Iron Man and the retirement of Steve Rogers as Captain America has something in the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought on something extremely emotional. James Gunn says farewell to Marvel with this film that is the final iteration of the team that was introduced in 2014 and it is action packed, hilarious, and emotional. All three rolled up into an amazing package that could be hailed as Marvel’s best film since Avengers: Endgame.

The film begins on a shocking note when just about ten minutes in the film, we are introduced to Adam Warlock, played by the excellent Will Poulter, as he unleashes his fury onto the team and the area of Knowhere. The film’s focus seems to be on Rocket this time around as we get the tough-talking raccoon’s backstory finally and we see that he wasn’t always the badass we all know him as today. It beings something fresh to the mix and in addition, also unveils the antagonist known as the High Evolutionary, played so well by Chukwudi Imuji, who wants to create a “perfect” world and will destroy anything or anyone that doesn’t agree with his vision. Where Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had a similar premise with Quill against his father Ego, this one takes the Frankenstein method: creation vs. creator.

There are some pretty fun moments though in the film to go with the story. First, it should be mentioned that Adam Warlock may be a powerful being but due to his release from his cocoon early, has the mindset of a child and of course, there are scenes where he ends up annoying Ayesha, the Sovereign head reprised by Elizabeth Debicki. Then, there is a scene that has to be mentioned because it could have been or may have well been an outtake used in the film. Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff, hypnotizes one of the High Evolutionary’s security guards to pretend to have a thing for Dave Bautista’s Drax and Mantis is trying so hard to hold it in as the guard hits on Drax. There’s also Sean Gunn’s Craglin, who has inherited Yondu’s arrow and has some funny scenes with Cosmo, the space dog, voiced by Maria Bakalova.

Chris Pratt’s Quill or “Star-Lord” is a bit more somber this time around and rightfully so. It is bad enough he lost Zoe Saldana’s Gamora and tries his hardest to reconnect with her with no reciprocation, but he considers Rocket his best friend and is in fear of losing him. Hence, we get to see a more emotionally charged Star-Lord and even better, we get an extremely ticked off Nebula, played by Karen Gillan, who now wants to save the universe as a Guardian, but is the only one to take things way too seriously.

The final moments are really emotional as well as certain moments with Rocket’s flashbacks that will make one tear up. It definitely is a heartwrenching end of an era for an iconic team.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a powerful finale to the OG team of the MCU. James Gunn made good on giving us an emotional ride as well as bring his trademark brand of humor and action that made the Guardians one of the best. They will be missed and looking forward to the new team (mid-credit scene) should they be in a new installment.

WFG RATING: A

A Marvel Studios production. Director: James Gunn. Producer: Kevin Feige. Writer: James Gunn; based on the Marvel Comics title. Cinematography: Henry Braham. Editing: Fred Raskin and Greg D’Auria.

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Bradley Cooper (voice), Vin Diesel (voice), Will Poulter, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Imuji, Elizabeth Debicki, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, Sylvester Stallone, Daniela Melchior.