Edwin Arnaudin: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may go down as the first MCU film to make grown men cry and traumatize their kids with some truly disturbing images. As usual, writer/director James Gunn has zero interest in playing by any perceived rules, and I think we're all the better for it.

How did the third feature adventure with this rag-tag group of heroes hit you?

Isa Whitaker: I think it's safe to say this is the most heartfelt entry of the trilogy, so buckle up because it's an emotional ride.

Edwin: Agreed. The whole backstory of Rocket (once more voiced by Bradley Cooper) — revealed via flashbacks as he lays comatose in the GOTG's ship's medical bay — and his manipulation under The High Evolutionary (Peacemaker's Chukwudi Iwuji, reveling in the part's villainy) offered plenty of tear-jerking moments.

But the enhancements of the other animals are also kind of freaky! In particular, rabbit/spider hybrid Floor (voiced by Mikaela Hoover) made me equal parts sad and spooked out. Rocket has been hesitant to talk about his past — and now we know why.

Isa: I was looking forward to finally getting to see Rocket's backstory, but I don't think I was ready for how gut-wrenching it would be. I don't know if I've despised an MCU villain as much as The High Evolutionary in those moments.

Edwin: Same! Apparently, wiping out half of Earth's population with the snap of a finger is nothing compared with animal cruelty.

The Guardians' quest to infiltrate The High Evolutionary's realm and save Rocket's life without his "maker" reclaiming his prized creation kept me engaged throughout the film's 2.5 hours. It also brings us in contact with some of the series' zaniest creatures thus far, landing somewhere between Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania and Gunn's own monster-filled The Suicide Squad. Which new additions — alien, planetary, or otherwise — stand out to you?

Isa: Right? I was definitely grossed out by the visuals of OrgoCorp, but I think the standout new characters for me have to be Rocket’s fellow creatures in Batch 89, particularly Lylla (voiced by Linda Cardellini). From her introduction, she gave off loving/maternal vibes with the way she cared for Rocket and attempted to heal his wounds. You could tell she was the heart of the group.

Edwin: Lylla and that whole group of tragic misfit animals definitely give Vol. 3 some extra heart, and Rocket's fellow Guardians do what they can to match those emotions in their own ways. The commitment of Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel, still his career-best role) to save their friend is admirable. And the assistance they receive from their former colleague and Peter's one-time love Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), still suffering from amnesia post-Snap, and new-ish allies Kraglin (Sean Gunn) and his telekinetic dog pal Cosmo (voiced by Maria Bakalova) adds welcome new dimensions to the team's rapport.

With Rocket sidelined and Gamora not quite herself, were you still excited to ride with the Guardians a third (and potentially final) time? Or did the dynamic become overly busy with so many characters, including dimwitted bronze Superman stand-in Adam Warlock (Will Poulter)?

Isa: I was! I've enjoyed watching the character developments of Drax, Mantis, and Nebula, and felt they held their own in every scene they were in. Adam Warlock felt a bit wasted , and out of place after the anticipation of the after credits scene in Vol. 2, but I'm also open to see how he progresses in future films.

Edwin: Speaking of where the GOTG series goes from here, let's go ahead and speculate. For readers who've yet to see Vol. 3, be advised that we'll now be entering spoiler territory, so continue perusing at your own risk.

With Peter back on Earth, driving his grandfather (Brian De Palma regular Gregg Henry) nuts, Gamora reunited with the Ravagers, and Rocket and a ginormous Groot leading a retooled Guardians team, where do you see these characters heading?

Isa: I'm hopeful that, while this might be the last Guardians film, we'll see some of these characters again in future MCU movies — possibly Secret Wars and surprise cameos in other films.

Edwin: I’ve been hearing about Secret Wars for years and have zero idea what it’s about. But after Quantumania established the many versions of Kang the Conqueror, I’m looking forward to wherever the MCU heads.

Isa: All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. I have similar quarrels with its as I've had with past films: I could do without some of the crude language/jokes, especially the MCU’s first F-bomb. It felt forced and awkward, and if it wasn't for that, this would be a nearly perfect film. Overall, I give the film a B-minus.

Edwin: Hard as the emotional beats hit, and thrilling as much of the action sequences played out — a laudatory feat this far into the MCU’s run, considering how repetitive they can feel — it takes a surprisingly long time for Vol. 3 to get going and a pre-climactic stretch with The High Evolutionary suddenly enacting a new plan noticeably dragged. But the highs of this film remain extraordinarily high, landing it firmly in B-plus territory and places the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy up with the four Thor films as the MCU’s best standalone series.

Grade: B. Rated PG-13. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Carolina Cinemark, and Regal Biltmore Grande.

(Photo: Marvel Studios)