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Changed line(s) 11,14 (click to see context) from:
The High Evolutionary has gone to "Counter-Earth," an artificial planet he's created to house his "perfect" society, and the Guardians decide to go there. Not Gamora, though; she's not interested in this whole "helping Rocket just because we're his friends" thing, and she radios her contact within the Ravagers for extraction. This only works out so well for the contact: he's been captured by the High Priestess and Adam Warlock. The High Priestess asks Adam to "show him we mean business"; she presumably meant TortureAlwaysWorks, but Adam, who ReallyWasBornYesterday, assumes this means to LeaveNoSurvivors -- to the panic of the High Evolutionary and the PuppyDogEyes sadness of the Ravager's pet, the cute and fuzzy Blurp. ("[[BeingEvilSucks I really don't enjoy how that's making me feel, actually]].") But his radio still works... And the High Evolutionary, pretending to be a Ravager, agrees to pick Gamora up at Counter-Earth. Adam, meanwhile, adopts Blurp, despite his mother's protests.
Quill and Groot surrender to the High Evolutionary in order to get their hands on Theel and his cybernetic implant; the plan is a success. However, ''everything else'' goes wrong: the High Evolutionary, displeased with the imperfect iteration of his society, has it purged, and RocksFallEverybodyDies. Adam Warlock tries to steal Rocket's comatose form from the ''Bowie'', and Gamora fights him off, but she is forced to fly the ship as the ground starts to explode; meanwhile, Adam, realizing what's going to happen, races off to try to save the High Evolutionary before ''her'' ship gets wiped out. [[DownerEnding He is unsuccessful]]. Meanwhile, Nebula, Drax and Mantis, who were outside the Orgocorp HQ, jump onto it when it reveals itself to be a ship, the ''Arête'', escaping certain death but leaving them stranded in the enemy's stronghold.
Quill and Groot surrender to the High Evolutionary in order to get their hands on Theel and his cybernetic implant; the plan is a success. However, ''everything else'' goes wrong: the High Evolutionary, displeased with the imperfect iteration of his society, has it purged, and RocksFallEverybodyDies. Adam Warlock tries to steal Rocket's comatose form from the ''Bowie'', and Gamora fights him off, but she is forced to fly the ship as the ground starts to explode; meanwhile, Adam, realizing what's going to happen, races off to try to save the High Evolutionary before ''her'' ship gets wiped out. [[DownerEnding He is unsuccessful]]. Meanwhile, Nebula, Drax and Mantis, who were outside the Orgocorp HQ, jump onto it when it reveals itself to be a ship, the ''Arête'', escaping certain death but leaving them stranded in the enemy's stronghold.
to:
The High Evolutionary has gone to "Counter-Earth," an artificial planet he's created to house his "perfect" society, and the Guardians decide to go there. Not Gamora, though; she's not interested in this whole "helping Rocket just because we're his friends" thing, and she radios her contact within the Ravagers for extraction. This only works out so well for the contact: he's been captured by the High Priestess and Adam Warlock. The High Priestess asks Adam to "show him we mean business"; she presumably meant TortureAlwaysWorks, but Adam, who ReallyWasBornYesterday, assumes this means to LeaveNoSurvivors -- to the panic of the High Evolutionary and the PuppyDogEyes sadness of the Ravager's pet, the cute and fuzzy Blurp. ("[[BeingEvilSucks I really don't enjoy how that's making me feel, actually]].") But his radio still works... And the High Evolutionary, Priestess, pretending to be a Ravager, agrees to pick Gamora up at Counter-Earth. Adam, meanwhile, adopts Blurp, despite his mother's protests.
Quill and Groot surrender to the High Evolutionary in order to get their hands on Theel and his cybernetic implant; the plan is a success. However, ''everything else'' goes wrong: the High Evolutionary, displeased with the imperfect iteration of his society, has it purged, and RocksFallEverybodyDies. Adam Warlock tries to steal Rocket's comatose form from the ''Bowie'', and Gamora fights him off, but she is forced to fly the ship as the ground starts to explode; meanwhile, Adam, realizing what's going to happen, races off to try to save the HighEvolutionary Priestess before ''her'' ship gets wiped out. [[DownerEnding He is unsuccessful]]. Meanwhile, Nebula, Drax and Mantis, who were outside the Orgocorp HQ, jump onto it when it reveals itself to be a ship, the ''Arête'', escaping certain death but leaving them stranded in the enemy's stronghold.
Quill and Groot surrender to the High Evolutionary in order to get their hands on Theel and his cybernetic implant; the plan is a success. However, ''everything else'' goes wrong: the High Evolutionary, displeased with the imperfect iteration of his society, has it purged, and RocksFallEverybodyDies. Adam Warlock tries to steal Rocket's comatose form from the ''Bowie'', and Gamora fights him off, but she is forced to fly the ship as the ground starts to explode; meanwhile, Adam, realizing what's going to happen, races off to try to save the High
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-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has been yours all along. You just didn't know it.
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-->'''Groot''': I love you guys.
to:
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Changed line(s) 29 (click to see context) from:
Peter returns to Earth and is welcomed with open arms by his grandfather. Gamora returns to her new family with the Ravagers. Mantis sets off on her own, while Rocket, Nebula, Drax and Groot have a DancePartyEnding with the kids. And, in TheStinger, the next incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy -- Groot, Kraglin, Phyla (one of the kids the High Evolutionary engineered), Adam Warlock, Blurp, and, as TheCaptain, Rocket Raccoon -- take on a new mission.
to:
Peter returns to Earth and is welcomed with open arms by his grandfather. Gamora returns to her new family with the Ravagers. Mantis sets off on her own, while Rocket, Nebula, Drax and Groot have a DancePartyEnding with the kids. And, in TheStinger, the next incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy -- Groot, Kraglin, Phyla (one of the kids the High Evolutionary engineered), Adam Warlock, Blurp, and, as TheCaptain, Rocket Raccoon -- take on a new mission.mission.
----
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Changed line(s) 22,26 (click to see context) from:
And rescue is coming: Quill brings the ''Bowie'' in (with Adam hanging out onboard) for a frontal assault while Kraglin warps in Knowhere -- like, ''the whole planetoid'' -- to flank. The High Evolutionary deploys "hellspawn" {{mook}}s to defend his ship, and they almost overwhelm the defenses on Knowhere before Kraglin, inspired by the memory of Yondu (Creator/MichaelRooker), masters the yaka arrow and takes them apart almost instantly. Meanwhile, Nebula's team are menaced by Abilisks -- the giant tentacly things from the intro to the second movie? -- but Mantis manages to bond with them. Quill's rescue mission to save the three therefore ends in about 15 seconds when they ride in on giant beasts. Quill declares the new orders -- withdraw -- but Rocket protests: "I'm done running." He charges his weapons and leads the TeamPowerWalk, with the other Guardians -- even Gamora, after an eyeroll -- falling in behind him. What follows is an EpicTrackingShot as each member of the team -- MultiArmedAndDangerous Groot, AllAsiansKnowMartialArts and {{Mind Control}}ler Mantis, GunsAkimbo FragileSpeedster Rocket, GeniusBruiser Quill, {{Cyborg}} Nebula, StoneWall Drax and sword-wielding Gamora -- destroy the opposition to the pounding tones of the Music/BeastieBoys' "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn".
Quill orders Knowhere to close so that Cosmo the Spacedog -- who has {{telekinesis}} -- can form an airtight bridge and all the alien kids can jump onboard. Meanwhile, Rocket goes looking for the High Evolutionary, and encounters a bunch of Earth animals -- including infant raccoons -- that are imprisoned for further experimentation. Here, the High Evolutionary encounters him. He thinks it's a one-on-one fight... But he's facing the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the entire team piles on, with Gamora landing the fatal sword stab. Rocket then orders Knowhere to hold position so that the Guardians can evacuate the animals as well. At the end, only Peter is left on the ''Arête'' as the two ships drift apart. He improvises a solution to propel himself across the void of space... but hits a piece of debris, stranding him in vacuum. His rescuer: Adam Warlock. The Guardians and the staff of Knowhere pile on for a group hug (with Adam awkwardly joining in on the far end).
In the denouement, Groot tells Gamora that her ride back to the Ravagers has arrived -- and Gamora understands him for the first time, a reminder of the FamilyOfChoice she once shared with the Guardians. Peter, meanwhile, resigns from the Guardians, declaring it's time for him to go back to Earth and continue the arrested development that began when he was kidnapped as an eight-year-old. Mantis decides to split off as well, with the Abilisks to protect her; Nebula also bows out, choosing instead to take care of the (many) children rescued from the High Evolutionary, and suggests that Drax -- the born father -- come with him. When Rocket protests that he's been left all alone, Peter formally cedes the leadership of the group to him -- recognizing Rocket as TheProtagonist of the film, and indeed the franchise as a whole. And, even though the FamilyOfChoice is splitting up for good -- both Bautista and Saldaña have announced that they have no plans to continue their roles -- we are reminded of what we shared when the audience, for the first time, understands Groot's PokemonSpeak:
Quill orders Knowhere to close so that Cosmo the Spacedog -- who has {{telekinesis}} -- can form an airtight bridge and all the alien kids can jump onboard. Meanwhile, Rocket goes looking for the High Evolutionary, and encounters a bunch of Earth animals -- including infant raccoons -- that are imprisoned for further experimentation. Here, the High Evolutionary encounters him. He thinks it's a one-on-one fight... But he's facing the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the entire team piles on, with Gamora landing the fatal sword stab. Rocket then orders Knowhere to hold position so that the Guardians can evacuate the animals as well. At the end, only Peter is left on the ''Arête'' as the two ships drift apart. He improvises a solution to propel himself across the void of space... but hits a piece of debris, stranding him in vacuum. His rescuer: Adam Warlock. The Guardians and the staff of Knowhere pile on for a group hug (with Adam awkwardly joining in on the far end).
In the denouement, Groot tells Gamora that her ride back to the Ravagers has arrived -- and Gamora understands him for the first time, a reminder of the FamilyOfChoice she once shared with the Guardians. Peter, meanwhile, resigns from the Guardians, declaring it's time for him to go back to Earth and continue the arrested development that began when he was kidnapped as an eight-year-old. Mantis decides to split off as well, with the Abilisks to protect her; Nebula also bows out, choosing instead to take care of the (many) children rescued from the High Evolutionary, and suggests that Drax -- the born father -- come with him. When Rocket protests that he's been left all alone, Peter formally cedes the leadership of the group to him -- recognizing Rocket as TheProtagonist of the film, and indeed the franchise as a whole. And, even though the FamilyOfChoice is splitting up for good -- both Bautista and Saldaña have announced that they have no plans to continue their roles -- we are reminded of what we shared when the audience, for the first time, understands Groot's PokemonSpeak:
to:
And rescue is coming: Quill brings the ''Bowie'' in (with Adam hanging out onboard) for a frontal assault while Kraglin warps in Knowhere -- like, ''the whole planetoid'' -- to flank.flank, even the odds, and blow open a hole through which the Guardians can board. The High Evolutionary deploys "hellspawn" {{mook}}s to defend his ship, and they almost overwhelm the defenses on Knowhere before Kraglin, inspired by the memory of Yondu (Creator/MichaelRooker), masters the yaka arrow and takes them apart almost instantly. Meanwhile, Nebula's team are menaced by Abilisks -- the giant tentacly things from the intro to the second movie? -- but Mantis manages to bond with them. Quill's rescue mission to save the three therefore ends in about 15 seconds when they ride in on giant beasts. their new mounts. Quill declares therefore changes the new orders -- withdraw -- to immediate withdrawal, but Rocket protests: "I'm done running." He charges his weapons and leads the TeamPowerWalk, with the other Guardians -- even Gamora, after an eyeroll -- falling in behind him. What follows is an EpicTrackingShot as each member of the team -- MultiArmedAndDangerous Groot, AllAsiansKnowMartialArts and {{Mind Control}}ler Mantis, GunsAkimbo FragileSpeedster Rocket, GeniusBruiser Quill, {{Cyborg}} Nebula, StoneWall Drax and sword-wielding Gamora -- destroy the opposition to the pounding tones of the Music/BeastieBoys' "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn".
Quill orders Knowhere to close so that Cosmo the Spacedog -- who has {{telekinesis}} -- can form an airtight bridge and all the alien kids can jump onboard. Meanwhile, Rocket goes looking for the High Evolutionary, and encounters a bunch of Earth animals -- including infant raccoons -- that are imprisoned for further experimentation. Here, the High Evolutionary encounters him.He ''He'' thinks it's a one-on-one fight... But he's facing the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the entire team piles on, with Gamora landing the fatal sword stab.final blow. Rocket then orders Knowhere to hold position so that the Guardians can evacuate the animals as well. At the end, only Peter is left on the ''Arête'' as the two ships drift apart. He improvises a solution to propel himself across the void of space... but hits a piece of debris, stranding him in vacuum. His rescuer: Adam Warlock. The Peter lives, and the Guardians and the staff of Knowhere pile on for a group hug (with Adam awkwardly joining in on the far end).
In the denouement, Groot tells Gamora that her ride back to the Ravagers has arrived -- and Gamora understands him for the first time, a reminder of the FamilyOfChoice she onceshared with the Guardians.shared. Peter, meanwhile, resigns from the Guardians, declaring it's time for him to go back to Earth and continue the arrested development that began when he was kidnapped as an eight-year-old. Mantis decides to split off as well, with the Abilisks to protect her; Nebula also bows out, choosing instead to take care of the (many) children rescued from the High Evolutionary, and suggests that Drax -- the born father -- come with him.her. When Rocket protests that he's been left all alone, Peter formally cedes the leadership of the group to him -- recognizing Rocket as TheProtagonist of the film, and indeed the franchise as a whole. And, even though the FamilyOfChoice is splitting up for good -- both Bautista and Saldaña have announced that they have no plans to continue return to their roles roles, and Pratt is skeptical about doing so without writer-director Creator/JamesGunn -- we are reminded of what we shared when the audience, for the first time, understands Groot's PokemonSpeak:
Quill orders Knowhere to close so that Cosmo the Spacedog -- who has {{telekinesis}} -- can form an airtight bridge and all the alien kids can jump onboard. Meanwhile, Rocket goes looking for the High Evolutionary, and encounters a bunch of Earth animals -- including infant raccoons -- that are imprisoned for further experimentation. Here, the High Evolutionary encounters him.
In the denouement, Groot tells Gamora that her ride back to the Ravagers has arrived -- and Gamora understands him for the first time, a reminder of the FamilyOfChoice she once
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Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
While in his artificially-induced coma, Rocket has {{flashback}}s to his own youth. He was plucked out of obscurity by the High Evolutionary (Creator/ChukwudiIwuji), a scientist who wants to create a perfect society and is using EvolutionaryLevels to do it. Rocket gained the High Evolutionary's attention by showing much more insight and creativity than any of the other animals who were experimented on, most of which are now cyborgs: a rabbit with metal spider legs who calls herself Floor (voice of Creator/MikaelaHoover); a wheelchair-mounted walrus named Teefs (voice of Creator/AsimChaudry); and an otter with replacement metal arms, Lylla (voice of Creator/LindaCardellini), who becomes Rocket's best friend.
to:
While in his artificially-induced coma, Rocket has {{flashback}}s to his own youth. He was plucked out of obscurity by the High Evolutionary (Creator/ChukwudiIwuji), a scientist who wants to create a perfect society and is using EvolutionaryLevels to do it. Rocket gained the High Evolutionary's attention by showing much more insight and creativity than any of the other animals who were experimented on, most of which are now cyborgs: a rabbit with metal spider legs who calls herself Floor (voice of Creator/MikaelaHoover); a wheelchair-mounted walrus named Teefs (voice of Creator/AsimChaudry); Asim Chaudry); and an otter with replacement metal arms, Lylla (voice of Creator/LindaCardellini), who becomes Rocket's best friend.
Changed line(s) 15,19 (click to see context) from:
Gamora picks up Peter and Groot, and Peter tries to use the code to disconnect the killswitch. Rocket flatlines, as Quill bellows out the BigNo, he goes to a WhiteRoom afterlife where Lylla, Teefs and Floor have been enjoying their freedom. Rocket asks if he can join them. Lylla says he can... Eventually.
-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has been yoursall along. You just didn't know it.
Peter and Groot gather the revived Rocket into a ManlyHug. Nebula, overhearing the events on the comm, suppresses tears of relief. Even ''Gamora'' smiles. The Guardians of the Galaxy are finally back together.
-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has been yoursall along. You just didn't know it.
Peter and Groot gather the revived Rocket into a ManlyHug. Nebula, overhearing the events on the comm, suppresses tears of relief. Even ''Gamora'' smiles. The Guardians of the Galaxy are finally back together.
to:
Gamora picks up Peter and Groot, and Peter tries to use the code to disconnect the killswitch. Rocket flatlines, as Quill bellows out the BigNo, he goes to a WhiteRoom WhiteVoidRoom afterlife where Lylla, Teefs and Floor have been enjoying their freedom. Rocket asks if he can join them. Lylla says he can... Eventually.
-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has beenyoursall yours all along. You just didn't know it.
Peter and Groot gather the revived Rocket into aManlyHug. hug. Nebula, overhearing the events on the comm, suppresses tears of relief.TearsOfJoy. Even ''Gamora'' smiles. The Guardians of the Galaxy are finally back together.
in action.
-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has been
Peter and Groot gather the revived Rocket into a
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Changed line(s) 7,8 (click to see context) from:
The High Evolutionary, who also created the Sovereign, intimidates the High Priestess into helping him apprehend Rocket. Meanwhile, the Guardians break into Orgocorp HQ with the help of some Ravagers: their leader, Stakar Ogord (TheCameo of Creator/SylvesterStallone), loans them his latest lieutenant, none other than Gamora (Creator/ZoeSaldana). She doesn't give a damn about the Guardians, and especially not Peter, but she and Nebula are still close; TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry between them is over now. Peter is still pining after his [[TheLostLenore Lost Lenore]], but Gamora points out that, due to the time-travel shenanigans of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' during which she (Gamora) was brought forward from 2014 to 2023, she simply isn't the same person as the PrimeTimeline, who died [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar in 2018]] and has stayed that way. After a quick altercation with head of security Master Karja (Creator/NathanFillion, in the opening credits despite being a OneSceneWonder), they determine that the info they need has been deleted from Orgocorp's files. They identify one of the High Evolutionary's aides, Theel (Creator/NicoSantos), as having the information. (They also have to fight their way out, because it's a superhero movie.)
to:
The High Evolutionary, who also created the Sovereign, intimidates the High Priestess into helping him apprehend Rocket. Meanwhile, the Guardians break into Orgocorp HQ with the help of some Ravagers: their leader, Stakar Ogord (TheCameo of Creator/SylvesterStallone), loans them his latest lieutenant, none other than Gamora (Creator/ZoeSaldana). She doesn't give a damn about the Guardians, and especially not Peter, but she and Nebula are still close; TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry between them is over now. Peter is still pining after his [[TheLostLenore Lost Lenore]], but Gamora points out that, due to the time-travel shenanigans of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' during which she (Gamora) was brought forward from 2014 to 2023, she simply isn't the same person as the PrimeTimeline, PrimeTimeline Gamora, who died [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar in 2018]] and has stayed that way. After a quick altercation with head of security Master Karja (Creator/NathanFillion, in the opening credits despite being a OneSceneWonder), they determine that the info they need has been deleted from Orgocorp's files. They identify one of the High Evolutionary's aides, Theel (Creator/NicoSantos), as having the information. (They also have to fight their way out, because it's a superhero movie.)
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Added DiffLines:
We open on Knowhere, a giant skull-asteroid that has become the base of operations for the Guardians of the Galaxy. Rocket Raccoon (voice of Creator/BradleyCooper), singing along to Music/{{Radiohead}}'s "Creep" on Peter's Zune, is clearly at a low point; so is Peter "Star-Lord" Quill (Creator/ChrisPratt), who has grown increasingly drunk due to the loss of his beloved Gamora. Groot (voice of Creator/VinDiesel) has grown to a human-sized, broad-chested adult, and Drax the Destroyer (Creator/DaveBautista) and Mantis (Creator/PomKlementieff) are continuing their friendship, with Kraglin (Creator/SeanGunn) struggling to control the yaka arrow [[TakeUpMySword he got from his mentor]] and arguing with Cosmo the Spacedog (voice of Creator/MariaBakalova); and Nebula (Creator/KarenGillan) has taken over Gamora's spot on the roster and become the TeamMom. The Guardians of the Galaxy still exist... but they aren't doing much. And, as though to hammer home the tonal change from the first two movies, ''no one dances during this opening''.
The High Priestess of the Sovereign, apparently still salty that the Guardians stole her harbulary batteries (see ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2''), activates her culture's greatest creation: Adam Warlock (Creator/WillPoulter), an artifically-created FlyingBrick with HandBlasts. Adam attacks Knowhere, showing not only his power as an opponent but his mentality as someone who ReallyWasBornYesterday; the Guardians succeed in driving him off, but Rocket is grievously wounded. Even worse, they cannot use a standard medpack on him as his creators, "Orgocorp," embedded a kill-switch in his physiology. The remaining Guardians resolve to raid Orgocorp HQ and figure out how to save him.
While in his artificially-induced coma, Rocket has {{flashback}}s to his own youth. He was plucked out of obscurity by the High Evolutionary (Creator/ChukwudiIwuji), a scientist who wants to create a perfect society and is using EvolutionaryLevels to do it. Rocket gained the High Evolutionary's attention by showing much more insight and creativity than any of the other animals who were experimented on, most of which are now cyborgs: a rabbit with metal spider legs who calls herself Floor (voice of Creator/MikaelaHoover); a wheelchair-mounted walrus named Teefs (voice of Creator/AsimChaudry); and an otter with replacement metal arms, Lylla (voice of Creator/LindaCardellini), who becomes Rocket's best friend.
The High Evolutionary, who also created the Sovereign, intimidates the High Priestess into helping him apprehend Rocket. Meanwhile, the Guardians break into Orgocorp HQ with the help of some Ravagers: their leader, Stakar Ogord (TheCameo of Creator/SylvesterStallone), loans them his latest lieutenant, none other than Gamora (Creator/ZoeSaldana). She doesn't give a damn about the Guardians, and especially not Peter, but she and Nebula are still close; TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry between them is over now. Peter is still pining after his [[TheLostLenore Lost Lenore]], but Gamora points out that, due to the time-travel shenanigans of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' during which she (Gamora) was brought forward from 2014 to 2023, she simply isn't the same person as the PrimeTimeline, who died [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar in 2018]] and has stayed that way. After a quick altercation with head of security Master Karja (Creator/NathanFillion, in the opening credits despite being a OneSceneWonder), they determine that the info they need has been deleted from Orgocorp's files. They identify one of the High Evolutionary's aides, Theel (Creator/NicoSantos), as having the information. (They also have to fight their way out, because it's a superhero movie.)
Rocket's flashbacks continue. The High Evolutionary wants to populate his perfect society with evolved versions of animals, but all of them get possessed with UnstoppableRage. Rocket's intelligence allows him to pinpoint a solution... but the High Evolutionary, rather than being impressed with his creation, instead gets jealous. He sends Rocket back to the holding pens pending dissection, and orders Lylla, Teefs and Floor incinerated. Rocket, with an improvised keycard, breaks the pens open, and prepares to lead his friends to the shuttlebay to commandeer an escape craft... but the High Evolutionary arrives and shoots Lylla dead. [[MoralEventHorizon And then mocks Rocket as he sobs over his closest friend.]] Rocket goes on the offensive, attacking the High Evolutionary's face and killing the {{mook}}s... but the damage is done, and both Teefs and Floor have been slain in the crossfire. Rocket makes his escape, [[LastOfHisKind alone]]. The CynicismCatalyst has produced the Rocket Raccoon we've seen from the beginning -- sarcastic, [[NeverBeHurtAgain closed off]], [[BrokenBird self-loathing]].
The High Evolutionary has gone to "Counter-Earth," an artificial planet he's created to house his "perfect" society, and the Guardians decide to go there. Not Gamora, though; she's not interested in this whole "helping Rocket just because we're his friends" thing, and she radios her contact within the Ravagers for extraction. This only works out so well for the contact: he's been captured by the High Priestess and Adam Warlock. The High Priestess asks Adam to "show him we mean business"; she presumably meant TortureAlwaysWorks, but Adam, who ReallyWasBornYesterday, assumes this means to LeaveNoSurvivors -- to the panic of the High Evolutionary and the PuppyDogEyes sadness of the Ravager's pet, the cute and fuzzy Blurp. ("[[BeingEvilSucks I really don't enjoy how that's making me feel, actually]].") But his radio still works... And the High Evolutionary, pretending to be a Ravager, agrees to pick Gamora up at Counter-Earth. Adam, meanwhile, adopts Blurp, despite his mother's protests.
Quill and Groot surrender to the High Evolutionary in order to get their hands on Theel and his cybernetic implant; the plan is a success. However, ''everything else'' goes wrong: the High Evolutionary, displeased with the imperfect iteration of his society, has it purged, and RocksFallEverybodyDies. Adam Warlock tries to steal Rocket's comatose form from the ''Bowie'', and Gamora fights him off, but she is forced to fly the ship as the ground starts to explode; meanwhile, Adam, realizing what's going to happen, races off to try to save the High Evolutionary before ''her'' ship gets wiped out. [[DownerEnding He is unsuccessful]]. Meanwhile, Nebula, Drax and Mantis, who were outside the Orgocorp HQ, jump onto it when it reveals itself to be a ship, the ''Arête'', escaping certain death but leaving them stranded in the enemy's stronghold.
Gamora picks up Peter and Groot, and Peter tries to use the code to disconnect the killswitch. Rocket flatlines, as Quill bellows out the BigNo, he goes to a WhiteRoom afterlife where Lylla, Teefs and Floor have been enjoying their freedom. Rocket asks if he can join them. Lylla says he can... Eventually.
-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has been yoursall along. You just didn't know it.
Peter and Groot gather the revived Rocket into a ManlyHug. Nebula, overhearing the events on the comm, suppresses tears of relief. Even ''Gamora'' smiles. The Guardians of the Galaxy are finally back together.
In the belly of the ''Arête'', Nebula, Drax and Mantis begin to squabble. Nebula is tired that, in her opinion, Drax doesn't carry his own weight, but Mantis points out that he's the only member of the Guardians who doesn't hate himself. Drax further shows his HiddenDepths when they encounter a bunch of alien kids: besides being a FriendToAllChildren, he's the only one who can speak their language, and he helps them spread the word that rescue is coming.
And rescue is coming: Quill brings the ''Bowie'' in (with Adam hanging out onboard) for a frontal assault while Kraglin warps in Knowhere -- like, ''the whole planetoid'' -- to flank. The High Evolutionary deploys "hellspawn" {{mook}}s to defend his ship, and they almost overwhelm the defenses on Knowhere before Kraglin, inspired by the memory of Yondu (Creator/MichaelRooker), masters the yaka arrow and takes them apart almost instantly. Meanwhile, Nebula's team are menaced by Abilisks -- the giant tentacly things from the intro to the second movie? -- but Mantis manages to bond with them. Quill's rescue mission to save the three therefore ends in about 15 seconds when they ride in on giant beasts. Quill declares the new orders -- withdraw -- but Rocket protests: "I'm done running." He charges his weapons and leads the TeamPowerWalk, with the other Guardians -- even Gamora, after an eyeroll -- falling in behind him. What follows is an EpicTrackingShot as each member of the team -- MultiArmedAndDangerous Groot, AllAsiansKnowMartialArts and {{Mind Control}}ler Mantis, GunsAkimbo FragileSpeedster Rocket, GeniusBruiser Quill, {{Cyborg}} Nebula, StoneWall Drax and sword-wielding Gamora -- destroy the opposition to the pounding tones of the Music/BeastieBoys' "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn".
Quill orders Knowhere to close so that Cosmo the Spacedog -- who has {{telekinesis}} -- can form an airtight bridge and all the alien kids can jump onboard. Meanwhile, Rocket goes looking for the High Evolutionary, and encounters a bunch of Earth animals -- including infant raccoons -- that are imprisoned for further experimentation. Here, the High Evolutionary encounters him. He thinks it's a one-on-one fight... But he's facing the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the entire team piles on, with Gamora landing the fatal sword stab. Rocket then orders Knowhere to hold position so that the Guardians can evacuate the animals as well. At the end, only Peter is left on the ''Arête'' as the two ships drift apart. He improvises a solution to propel himself across the void of space... but hits a piece of debris, stranding him in vacuum. His rescuer: Adam Warlock. The Guardians and the staff of Knowhere pile on for a group hug (with Adam awkwardly joining in on the far end).
In the denouement, Groot tells Gamora that her ride back to the Ravagers has arrived -- and Gamora understands him for the first time, a reminder of the FamilyOfChoice she once shared with the Guardians. Peter, meanwhile, resigns from the Guardians, declaring it's time for him to go back to Earth and continue the arrested development that began when he was kidnapped as an eight-year-old. Mantis decides to split off as well, with the Abilisks to protect her; Nebula also bows out, choosing instead to take care of the (many) children rescued from the High Evolutionary, and suggests that Drax -- the born father -- come with him. When Rocket protests that he's been left all alone, Peter formally cedes the leadership of the group to him -- recognizing Rocket as TheProtagonist of the film, and indeed the franchise as a whole. And, even though the FamilyOfChoice is splitting up for good -- both Bautista and Saldaña have announced that they have no plans to continue their roles -- we are reminded of what we shared when the audience, for the first time, understands Groot's PokemonSpeak:
-->'''Groot''': I love you guys.
Peter returns to Earth and is welcomed with open arms by his grandfather. Gamora returns to her new family with the Ravagers. Mantis sets off on her own, while Rocket, Nebula, Drax and Groot have a DancePartyEnding with the kids. And, in TheStinger, the next incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy -- Groot, Kraglin, Phyla (one of the kids the High Evolutionary engineered), Adam Warlock, Blurp, and, as TheCaptain, Rocket Raccoon -- take on a new mission.
The High Priestess of the Sovereign, apparently still salty that the Guardians stole her harbulary batteries (see ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2''), activates her culture's greatest creation: Adam Warlock (Creator/WillPoulter), an artifically-created FlyingBrick with HandBlasts. Adam attacks Knowhere, showing not only his power as an opponent but his mentality as someone who ReallyWasBornYesterday; the Guardians succeed in driving him off, but Rocket is grievously wounded. Even worse, they cannot use a standard medpack on him as his creators, "Orgocorp," embedded a kill-switch in his physiology. The remaining Guardians resolve to raid Orgocorp HQ and figure out how to save him.
While in his artificially-induced coma, Rocket has {{flashback}}s to his own youth. He was plucked out of obscurity by the High Evolutionary (Creator/ChukwudiIwuji), a scientist who wants to create a perfect society and is using EvolutionaryLevels to do it. Rocket gained the High Evolutionary's attention by showing much more insight and creativity than any of the other animals who were experimented on, most of which are now cyborgs: a rabbit with metal spider legs who calls herself Floor (voice of Creator/MikaelaHoover); a wheelchair-mounted walrus named Teefs (voice of Creator/AsimChaudry); and an otter with replacement metal arms, Lylla (voice of Creator/LindaCardellini), who becomes Rocket's best friend.
The High Evolutionary, who also created the Sovereign, intimidates the High Priestess into helping him apprehend Rocket. Meanwhile, the Guardians break into Orgocorp HQ with the help of some Ravagers: their leader, Stakar Ogord (TheCameo of Creator/SylvesterStallone), loans them his latest lieutenant, none other than Gamora (Creator/ZoeSaldana). She doesn't give a damn about the Guardians, and especially not Peter, but she and Nebula are still close; TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry between them is over now. Peter is still pining after his [[TheLostLenore Lost Lenore]], but Gamora points out that, due to the time-travel shenanigans of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' during which she (Gamora) was brought forward from 2014 to 2023, she simply isn't the same person as the PrimeTimeline, who died [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar in 2018]] and has stayed that way. After a quick altercation with head of security Master Karja (Creator/NathanFillion, in the opening credits despite being a OneSceneWonder), they determine that the info they need has been deleted from Orgocorp's files. They identify one of the High Evolutionary's aides, Theel (Creator/NicoSantos), as having the information. (They also have to fight their way out, because it's a superhero movie.)
Rocket's flashbacks continue. The High Evolutionary wants to populate his perfect society with evolved versions of animals, but all of them get possessed with UnstoppableRage. Rocket's intelligence allows him to pinpoint a solution... but the High Evolutionary, rather than being impressed with his creation, instead gets jealous. He sends Rocket back to the holding pens pending dissection, and orders Lylla, Teefs and Floor incinerated. Rocket, with an improvised keycard, breaks the pens open, and prepares to lead his friends to the shuttlebay to commandeer an escape craft... but the High Evolutionary arrives and shoots Lylla dead. [[MoralEventHorizon And then mocks Rocket as he sobs over his closest friend.]] Rocket goes on the offensive, attacking the High Evolutionary's face and killing the {{mook}}s... but the damage is done, and both Teefs and Floor have been slain in the crossfire. Rocket makes his escape, [[LastOfHisKind alone]]. The CynicismCatalyst has produced the Rocket Raccoon we've seen from the beginning -- sarcastic, [[NeverBeHurtAgain closed off]], [[BrokenBird self-loathing]].
The High Evolutionary has gone to "Counter-Earth," an artificial planet he's created to house his "perfect" society, and the Guardians decide to go there. Not Gamora, though; she's not interested in this whole "helping Rocket just because we're his friends" thing, and she radios her contact within the Ravagers for extraction. This only works out so well for the contact: he's been captured by the High Priestess and Adam Warlock. The High Priestess asks Adam to "show him we mean business"; she presumably meant TortureAlwaysWorks, but Adam, who ReallyWasBornYesterday, assumes this means to LeaveNoSurvivors -- to the panic of the High Evolutionary and the PuppyDogEyes sadness of the Ravager's pet, the cute and fuzzy Blurp. ("[[BeingEvilSucks I really don't enjoy how that's making me feel, actually]].") But his radio still works... And the High Evolutionary, pretending to be a Ravager, agrees to pick Gamora up at Counter-Earth. Adam, meanwhile, adopts Blurp, despite his mother's protests.
Quill and Groot surrender to the High Evolutionary in order to get their hands on Theel and his cybernetic implant; the plan is a success. However, ''everything else'' goes wrong: the High Evolutionary, displeased with the imperfect iteration of his society, has it purged, and RocksFallEverybodyDies. Adam Warlock tries to steal Rocket's comatose form from the ''Bowie'', and Gamora fights him off, but she is forced to fly the ship as the ground starts to explode; meanwhile, Adam, realizing what's going to happen, races off to try to save the High Evolutionary before ''her'' ship gets wiped out. [[DownerEnding He is unsuccessful]]. Meanwhile, Nebula, Drax and Mantis, who were outside the Orgocorp HQ, jump onto it when it reveals itself to be a ship, the ''Arête'', escaping certain death but leaving them stranded in the enemy's stronghold.
Gamora picks up Peter and Groot, and Peter tries to use the code to disconnect the killswitch. Rocket flatlines, as Quill bellows out the BigNo, he goes to a WhiteRoom afterlife where Lylla, Teefs and Floor have been enjoying their freedom. Rocket asks if he can join them. Lylla says he can... Eventually.
-->'''Lylla''': You still have a purpose here. ... This story has been yoursall along. You just didn't know it.
Peter and Groot gather the revived Rocket into a ManlyHug. Nebula, overhearing the events on the comm, suppresses tears of relief. Even ''Gamora'' smiles. The Guardians of the Galaxy are finally back together.
In the belly of the ''Arête'', Nebula, Drax and Mantis begin to squabble. Nebula is tired that, in her opinion, Drax doesn't carry his own weight, but Mantis points out that he's the only member of the Guardians who doesn't hate himself. Drax further shows his HiddenDepths when they encounter a bunch of alien kids: besides being a FriendToAllChildren, he's the only one who can speak their language, and he helps them spread the word that rescue is coming.
And rescue is coming: Quill brings the ''Bowie'' in (with Adam hanging out onboard) for a frontal assault while Kraglin warps in Knowhere -- like, ''the whole planetoid'' -- to flank. The High Evolutionary deploys "hellspawn" {{mook}}s to defend his ship, and they almost overwhelm the defenses on Knowhere before Kraglin, inspired by the memory of Yondu (Creator/MichaelRooker), masters the yaka arrow and takes them apart almost instantly. Meanwhile, Nebula's team are menaced by Abilisks -- the giant tentacly things from the intro to the second movie? -- but Mantis manages to bond with them. Quill's rescue mission to save the three therefore ends in about 15 seconds when they ride in on giant beasts. Quill declares the new orders -- withdraw -- but Rocket protests: "I'm done running." He charges his weapons and leads the TeamPowerWalk, with the other Guardians -- even Gamora, after an eyeroll -- falling in behind him. What follows is an EpicTrackingShot as each member of the team -- MultiArmedAndDangerous Groot, AllAsiansKnowMartialArts and {{Mind Control}}ler Mantis, GunsAkimbo FragileSpeedster Rocket, GeniusBruiser Quill, {{Cyborg}} Nebula, StoneWall Drax and sword-wielding Gamora -- destroy the opposition to the pounding tones of the Music/BeastieBoys' "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn".
Quill orders Knowhere to close so that Cosmo the Spacedog -- who has {{telekinesis}} -- can form an airtight bridge and all the alien kids can jump onboard. Meanwhile, Rocket goes looking for the High Evolutionary, and encounters a bunch of Earth animals -- including infant raccoons -- that are imprisoned for further experimentation. Here, the High Evolutionary encounters him. He thinks it's a one-on-one fight... But he's facing the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the entire team piles on, with Gamora landing the fatal sword stab. Rocket then orders Knowhere to hold position so that the Guardians can evacuate the animals as well. At the end, only Peter is left on the ''Arête'' as the two ships drift apart. He improvises a solution to propel himself across the void of space... but hits a piece of debris, stranding him in vacuum. His rescuer: Adam Warlock. The Guardians and the staff of Knowhere pile on for a group hug (with Adam awkwardly joining in on the far end).
In the denouement, Groot tells Gamora that her ride back to the Ravagers has arrived -- and Gamora understands him for the first time, a reminder of the FamilyOfChoice she once shared with the Guardians. Peter, meanwhile, resigns from the Guardians, declaring it's time for him to go back to Earth and continue the arrested development that began when he was kidnapped as an eight-year-old. Mantis decides to split off as well, with the Abilisks to protect her; Nebula also bows out, choosing instead to take care of the (many) children rescued from the High Evolutionary, and suggests that Drax -- the born father -- come with him. When Rocket protests that he's been left all alone, Peter formally cedes the leadership of the group to him -- recognizing Rocket as TheProtagonist of the film, and indeed the franchise as a whole. And, even though the FamilyOfChoice is splitting up for good -- both Bautista and Saldaña have announced that they have no plans to continue their roles -- we are reminded of what we shared when the audience, for the first time, understands Groot's PokemonSpeak:
-->'''Groot''': I love you guys.
Peter returns to Earth and is welcomed with open arms by his grandfather. Gamora returns to her new family with the Ravagers. Mantis sets off on her own, while Rocket, Nebula, Drax and Groot have a DancePartyEnding with the kids. And, in TheStinger, the next incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy -- Groot, Kraglin, Phyla (one of the kids the High Evolutionary engineered), Adam Warlock, Blurp, and, as TheCaptain, Rocket Raccoon -- take on a new mission.
