The concept of evolution and circular motion is an interesting motif but also the context of loss and how it creates impact. At certain points in its multi-film progression, "Guardians" has been able to create these feelings in certain moments but it sometimes ebbs and flows. With "Vol. 3" there is an interesting throughline but the ultimately the heartstrings that originally might have been there, don't tug as hard as they might have.

The rules of a comic book movie rule in the eyes of the beholder. Writer/Director James Gunn got to go in a different grid making "The Suicide Squad" but it feels more like his indie movies at times than "Guardians Of The Galaxy".