Heartwarming / Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

"My beloved raccoon... this story has been yours all along. You just didn't know it."

As the final swan song of the original Guardians of the Galaxy, it makes sense that James Gunn would do his best to warm our hearts. And oh man, did he do a good job.

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

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Film

• After so many universe-saving escapades, what cataclysmic adventure do the Guardians have this time for their Grand Finale? Saving the life of their friend.
• Rocket's memories of life before he was chosen as a test subject shows him and the other raccoon kits happily playing with one another.
• In general, the lengths that the Guardians go to in order to save Rocket's life. It proves that the Guardians are a Family of Choice and that they will always have each other's backs, even if they are apart. Alternate Gamora even lampshades it when she visits Rocket.

  Gamora: You must be a really loyal pet if they're willing to do all this for you.

  • At the start of the film, we're introduced to Peter drunk and in a bad mood, trying to pick a fight with Rocket when he sees that he has his Zune MP3 player. Instead of fighting back like he did in previous films, Rocket (along with Nebula and the rest of the Guardians) help put him to bed, implying that this isn't the first time they've helped a distraught Quill.
  • Peter in particular is the most determined to save Rocket (partially due to feeling responsible for him being in his critical state). They also seem closer, Peter even calling him his best friend (with Drax insisting that Rocket is Peter’s second-best friend), Rocket's sad reaction to Peter leaving, and Peter gifting Rocket the Zune. It's a nice contrast from the nearly antagonistic dynamic they had in their previous appearances. Peter also leaves the Zune with Rocket while the latter is unconscious so he can listen to music while the team tries to find the code to save his life.
  • Also keep in mind that the Zune, like the Walkman before it, was a gift from a parent figure to a child. While it's not quite the same for Quill and Rocket, the gift carries similar significance as a sort of heirloom.
  • Drax repeatedly insisting that he's Quill's best friend is heartwarming in that uniquely Draxian way.
• When Gamora argues that the mission to save Rocket is not worth fighting the High Evolutionary, Nebula is the one to step in and set her straight.
  Nebula: (catching Gamora's attempted punch toward Peter) I have a few upgrades courtesy of that gutted badger in the med bay. We are not risking his life just to make yours more convenient.
  Gamora: I'm family.
  Nebula: So is he.
  • Any scenes showing Groot being at Rocket’s side while he was unconscious. It shows how much Groot loves his adoptive father and would never leave his side.
• Tragic as it all becomes, Rocket's flashbacks to his youth with Lylla, Floor and Teefs are nothing but hopeful, serene and joyful family bliss. Rocket's relationship with the ever-inspiring Lylla is also a delight to watch.
  • Special mention to Lylla's compassionate response to Rocket's first word saying that he hurts: she licks a towel to use to clean his wounds.
• Rocket and Floor were seen sleeping cuddled up together at one point.
• While his attempts to charm Ura appear to humorously fall flat, Peter's original plan to simply appeal to her better nature and sincerely ask for her help does work; Ura allows him access to the systems and gives him a chance to rescue the Guardians. Gamora rolls her eyes, but she does seem slightly impressed that he was able to convince her without needing to use violence.
  • Peter is very apologetic to Ura and the other guards when Gamora gets too trigger-happy and gently informs Ura no further harm will come to her. It's likely this is what persuaded her to help him.
• The reason the bat woman and her family agree to help the Guardians reach the Areste? Peter noticed that she had cut her leg after falling and offered her a handkerchief to help stop the bleeding.
  • Note how often the team scores a victory by avoiding violence and instead offering people love and support. This may as well be Heart Is an Awesome Power : The Movie.
• Rocket and Lylla's final goodbye. Her quiet encouragement for him to continue living so he may help make the world better so he can join them when his time is truly up is palpable. Their First Kiss (also their last) is nothing but heartbreakingly sweet.
  Lylla: This story has been yours all along. You just didn't know it.
  • Floor and Teefs waving joyfully to Rocket from behind Lylla, showing that they are all in a much better place after what happened to them and infinitely happier and free, enjoying the sky together.
  • The moment when Rocket asks Lylla if he can come with them (in a voice that shows he is terrified that they will reject him because they blame him for getting them killed) is heartbreaking, but Lyla joyfully responding "Yes!" as if it's the most obvious thing in the world is profoundly healing. Whether Rocket really is seeing his friends in some sort of afterlife, or whether he is simply hallucinating, it is beautiful either way; if he really has seen them then he has had a chance to make his peace and now has a guarantee that he will see them again when it finally is his time to die, and if he is hallucinating then "Lylla's" total lack of blame shows that, on some level, Rocket does know that his friends wouldn't blame him for their deaths and would embrace him with open arms if he met them again. The latter is particularly heartwarming when you consider that this would likely be due to the time he's spent with the Guardians, and that seeing what True Companions will do for each other has helped him to realise that his friends would forgive him and he can let go of the self-loathing he's been struggling with throughout his character arc.
• When Rocket is revived, Peter gently pulls him into a hug, overjoyed and relieved as hell to see his best friend alive and well thanks to his efforts, and Groot joins in not long after. Even Gamora (who was apathetic to his condition and considered selling Rocket to the High Evolutionary earlier) cracks a smile, clearly happy to see him recovered. Even sweeter is Rocket gently nuzzling his head on Peter's shoulder and placing his arm around one of Groot's vines.
  • Upon hearing Rocket speaking on the communicator alive and well, Nebula bursts into Tears of Joy.
  • Nebula is completely speechless and unable to respond so Mantis steps in to verbalize for her that they all love Rocket very much and relieved at his recovery.
  • Rocket responds by being his usual dismissive self ("Well that makes you the idiot, then")... but you can hear his voice breaking.
• Yondu's final message to Kraglin. Without a doubt, this scene was the one that made most fans weep tears of reminiscent joy at a character we all loved. Not only is it beautifully sombre yet incredibly uplifting, but it hits even harder because it's so unexpected. James Gunn stated numerous times in interviews that Yondu would not be featured in the film as his death made that impossible, but not only was he shown in voice, he actually made a real live appearance just for one last final goodbye, not just to an emotional Kraglin, but to us, the fans. Bonus points for the fact that this one moment made it clear to all that while Peter may have been his favourite, Kraglin was every bit Yondu's son as he was.
  Yondu: Use your heart, boy!
  • And then Kraglin steps up to defend his home and his family. Ravager? Maybe. Guardian? Definitely.
• Kraglin finally acknowledging Cosmo as a good dog after she uses her powers to save him from one of the High Evolutionary’s henchmen.
• Adam Warlock's love for his mother and adoption of a strange alien mammal shows that even completely brainwashed by the High Evolutionary, he's not the monster they wanted him to be.
  • For that matter, Ayesha’s love for her son too along with her motive being to try to save her people in this movie. The very first time we see her here, she’s holding her “baby”, distraught at Adam’s injury and defending him to her God.
• When Adam lies weak and unconscious on the Evolutionary's collapsing spaceport, Groot carries him to safety with the rest of the captives. Adam is surprised and touched by this, and ultimately returns the favour by saving Quill later.
  Adam: Why did you save me after I tried to kill you all?
  Groot: I am Groot.
  Drax: He says everyone deserves a second chance.
• When Nebula snaps at Drax for being The Load, Mantis jumps to his defense. Her words on why he's of value, that he loves them and makes them laugh, can be seen as Leaning on the Fourth Wall.
• Drax comforting the children imprisoned on the ship of the High Evolutionary. Not only does Drax show off his talent with young children (which in itself as utterly adorable) but he gains the genuine respect and admiration of Nebula and Mantis when they discover he could speak their language when no one else could. Nebula's compliment of him in the final scene cements his character perfectly. His awestruck smile speaks volumes.
  Nebula: You weren't born to be a destroyer. You were born to be a dad.
  • She does this in the middle of an argument between Drax and Mantis, where Drax insists on coming with Mantis on her journey to keep her safe. After everything in this film, it has given Nebula a new appreciation and respect for the both of them, she arranges things so they don't have to part on bad terms, by giving Drax a purpose so Mantis can, without guilt, find her own.
• Gamora and Peter's mild flirtation at the end of the movie. It proves that while "our" Gamora is dead, a part of her is still alive within this younger version of her, leaving a very strong possibility that one day they will be together again. At the very least, it's still heartwarming for Gamora to see why her alternate self fell in love with Peter. This exchange in particular is quite the Hope Bringer that their ship may one day sail home.
  Gamora: (stops just before leaving) I bet we were fun.
  Peter: (fond and tearful smile) Like you wouldn't believe.
  (Gamora hides a sweet smile before joining the Ravagers)
  • Further heart-warming when you see James Gunn's final photo of the Guardians together. Gamora's head is resting affectionately on Peter's shoulder and Peter looks on clearly feeling quite fulfilled. D'aaww!
• As the ship explodes around them, when Peter comes across some random mooks, with guns drawn, he essentially offers to let them come with him if they just holster their weapons. It's show Quill's heart that if he doesn't have to he won't kill someone, even low level foot soldiers.
  • Later you see those same mooks on Knowhere, happily joining in the city-wide dance.
• Nebula shows a lot more emotions during this movie than she ever did in the previous ones. She cracks a few genuine smiles instead of her usual smirk, whoops with joy at the end when everybody is celebrating on Knowhere, and actually cries when she learns that Rocket is saved. This is particularly heartwarming to see considering this comes from the woman who had no idea on how to react to a pat on the shoulder or a hug.
  • Remember that Nebula has known Rocket the longest out of all the Guardians and likely views him as her best friend like Quill does, which makes her tears of joy at Rocket's recovery even more heartwarming.
    • Especially so after having lost the only other two people she had only ever become close to, Gamora and Tony.
• When the children are being evacuated, the people of Knowhere are shocked to see a mob of frightened children fleeing the High Evolutionary's ship and immediately rush over to help. They can be seen along with the Guardians helping the children off the ship, even carrying some, and quickly directing them to safety. For the first time in their lives, those poor kids are in the care of decent people.
  • The citizens of Knowhere also help the animals escape, even if they are somewhat bewildered by what's going on. One women even gets her face scratched by a frightened monkey and that doesn't deter anyone from continuing to help.
  • Once the action is over, the Guardians and the other citizens help pass out food packs and supplies for the kids and animals, making it clear that they will all be welcomed in their new home.
• While helping the children escape, Rocket discovers the room where he and his cellmates were once kept in cages. The room is full of Earth animals, including several baby creatures with a startling resemblance to him. Opening the cage, he reads a description explaining their place of origin and the name of these creatures: raccoons from North America, causing Rocket to realize that all these years Peter had been right. This makes Rocket decide to save not only the raccoons, but all the other animals who were captured like he was. It also causes him to tell the High Evolutionary that his name is not 89P13, but is instead Rocket Raccoon.
  • When Rocket opens the cage of the kits, one of them shyly sniffs his nose. He then gathers them up, and soon they're clinging to his body, obviously recognizing him as one of them.
  • One of the kits falls down as he moves. He instantly reacts, picking it back up, and breaking down completely in the process.
  • Rocket's Character Development plays in as he looks at all the scared and sad animals in the cages and shed a few tears in sympathy, clearly wanting to free them all. He's grown into a true hero, and it's no wonder Quill chooses him as the new Captain of the Guardians.
    • Later at the ending, a pair of kits are sitting next to Rocket in Knowhere's plaza.
  • While they initially don't understand what he means, all of the Guardians go along with Rocket's desire to save all the animals in addition to the sapient people.
  • Rocket then proceeding to lead the charge to rescue every single last innocent animal tortured in the cages of The High Evolutionary's exploding charnel house of cruelty. And not just the "cute and fluffy ones"; the mutants and cyborgs irreperably deformed by the madman's experiments and even the giant fanged and tentacled monstrosities are all also rescued and given a chance to be free and live. It is this moment that cements sincerity of this film's message that *all* life is precious, and should be treated with equal love and respect.
• The Guardians coming to Rocket's aid in the final confrontation with the High Evolutionary. There's no quips, no jokes, no flashy takedowns, no trying to equate with their foe… just brutal, efficient attacks fueled by rage on their friend's behalf. This utterly despicable being caused Rocket unspeakable pain, and he still came out the other side with a family ready to defend him and face his demons alongside him.
  • Throughout most of the movie, Drax constantly affirms that he is Quill's best friend as opposed to Rocket, seemingly because of his lack of respect towards the raccoon. But when the High Evolutionary is at Rocket's mercy, Drax immediately suggests that he kill him, not with his usual look of eager excitement, but with genuine disgust and hatred for the deranged Mad Scientist. While Rocket ultimately decides to be better than that, the fact that Drax was willing to put down such an abusive monster for what he did to Rocket shows that Drax truly considers him family.
• When Cosmo is struggling to keep the gap between The High Evolutionary's ship and Knowhere together, Mantis uses her empathic abilities and quietly tells her "You are so strong" as a way of bringing her strength up. She may be one of the newer members of the Guardians, but it's clear that Mantis still gives her the respect a loyal telekinetic space dog deserves when it's most important.
• Despite how meaner and definitely more unscrupulous alternate Gamora is from the original, she's still got the same heart as her. She and Nebula have a more closer relationship (being in contact and even having their own little thing where they nod at each other with a deep grunt). She also grows somewhat fond of Rocket, from protecting him from Adam and War Pig without hesitation, to following his lead to stop the High Evolutionary (albeit with some hesitation).
• When Peter is rescued by Adam Warlock just when it seemed like there was no hope for his survival, he struggles through his mildly bloated face to ask "was that cool?", causing everyone to grin. They then immediately envelope him in a tight hug (even Nebula joins in) and Adam does so (awkwardly) cementing him as one of the team. If one looks closely at Gamora, while she doesn't join in on the hug, she's wearing one of the warmest grins she's shown in the whole film, clearly ecstatic he survived.
• Since it's confirmed by Director James Gunn that only people who care about Groot understands what he is really saying like we, the audience, did hearing his last line "I love you guys", Gamora 2.0 suddenly understanding him when he tries to say "Goodbye, it was nice working with you" from behind shows that even though she may not consider the Guardians to be her "family" like Gamora 1.0 did, she at the very least still considers them to be comrades, if not friends.
• The movie as a whole sees Rocket in particular give and get a lot of affection, despite the extremes of pain he has to go through. He gets hugs from Lylla twice (once in his childhood, once in the afterlife), he embraces Quill and Groot shortly after being revived, and he takes part in the group hug later. It's a welcome relief for a little creature who once considered himself unworthy of love.
• The goodbyes between the Guardians is very bittersweet, but they come with the knowledge that when the Guardians of the Galaxy are needed once again - or indeed if they need each other - they will travel to the ends of the universe to find each other again. Mantis in particular gets an emotional farewell, with her and Drax sharing a tender gaze (with Drax himself openly shedding tears) and she gives him a reassuring smile to send the message he needs to hear before she leaves: "I'm going to be okay."
  • Her final goodbye to the Guardians is sure to break the dams of many a tear duct. She assures her friends (and her brother, Peter) that she loves all of them with all her heart, but needs to discover what the world has to offer by herself now and can no longer rely on others. Pom Klementieff delivers this simple line with so much heart it's impossible not to feel the heartstrings zing.
    Mantis: I love you all. I do.
• Ravager Gamora finally understanding Groot without even noticing at first. Especially when you consider that Guardian’s Gamora was like a mother to Groot and then she was killed by Thanos. Suddenly there’s this stranger who looks exactly like his mother that doesn’t understand him and is annoyed by his Pokémon Speak. It must have been hurtful for Groot. But when she finally understands them it means there is a bond between the two. It’s nice for Groot to get that back. It's also further proof that this Gamora has the heart of the original, even if she doesn't have her experiences, building another bridge for her and the Guardians.
• All the Guardians salute Rocket at the end with genuine respect after Quill promotes him to captain of the team, and Peter tells Rocket he’s sure he’ll be a better leader than he ever was. Rocket is visibly touched.
• Gamora being welcomed back lovingly by the Ravagers. Even if it’s not the Guardians, she too has found a family.
• As the Guardians are saying their goodbyes to each other, Groot speaks plainly for the first time. What does he say? "I love you guys."
• The Dance Party Ending. Seeing all of Knowhere cheerfully dance to Florence + the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over" is the perfect way to send off the Guardians and their world as a whole. It's especially telling that we see the likes of Drax and Nebula get in on the fun, with the former completely disregarding his hatred of dancing, and the latter smiling and cheering with legit happiness for the first time in her life.
  • The dance party starts with just Groot and Rocket. Father and son happily dancing together.
  • "Dog Days Are Over" is a song about fleeing the source of your trauma and risking it all to do so, and all the hardship and joy that implies. It drives home that after everything that happened to them — abusive childhoods, loved ones dying, their squabbles with each other, threats to the universe itself – the Guardians made it and are making the galaxy a better place where less people will have to experience what they did. That's arguably the message of the Guardians' saga as a whole: no matter what the universe throws your way, you can make it out the other side, break the cycle of pain, find the love and purpose you deserve, and help others to do the same.
• The end credits are accompanied by a plethora of screenshots from the first film, second film, and holiday special (with a little Infinity War and Endgame thrown in), all “taped” onto the screen like a big, nostalgic scrapbook. It ends with one big group shot of the team, the final time that we get to see the original lineup together.
  • Among the many highlights showcased in the credits is Stan Lee’s cameo in Vol. 2. It’s a brief, yet loving tribute to the late creator, and it feels great to see him pop up in a Marvel film again.
  • There's also the shot of Thor, Rocket and Groot arriving in Wakanda from Infinity War. It's nice to see that even Thor's very short time as a Guardian is acknowledged, however little we might have seen of it; as is the cathartic moment from that film when audiences erupted into cheers seeing Thor arrive with a raccoon and a tree to do battle against the gravest threat to the universe up to that point, out of the goodness of their hearts.
• James Gunn released some photos of the Guardians (including this one◊ with him in it) to celebrate the finale of his contribution to Marvel. It's a reminder of the hard work that went into making these films and whatever your thoughts on the films individually, the cast and crew can be proud that they made one hell of a trilogy.
• Seeing Rocket Raccoon leading Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, Phyla, Adam Warlock and Blurp into battle as the new Guardians is heartwarming in a very And the Adventure Continues sort of way. No matter what dangers befall the Galaxy, it will always have its guardians.
  • Before they dive into battle, the new Guardians discuss their favourite music. What's Rocket's choice? "Come And Get Your Love".
    • Even as Peter has left the Guardians, music is still a foundational glue that holds the team together.
  • Not to mention Groot's new MASSIVE size is anything to go by, it shows how being raised by a loving family like Rocket and the Guardians have allowed Baby Groot into a full sized Alpha Groot.
  • A minor detail but as Rocket plays the song, Kraglin is seen joyfully laughing. He's probably heard Peter play it multiple times during his Ravager years and is likely happily reminiscing about his former Captain/adopted brother.
• The fact that despite all that's happened in the film, and how marketing implied that Anyone Can Die, particularly Rocket, nobody from the Guardians died, although it was close in few cases. An Everybody Lives situation was much needed after the original Groot's sacrifice in Vol. 1, Yondu's sacrifice in Vol. 2, the original Gamora getting killed by Thanos and most of them being temporarily killed by the Snap in Infinity War.
• Nebula's upgrades include repulsor-like hover technology, suggesting that she's paying tribute to her dearly departed friend Tony Stark.
• Peter visiting his grandfather on Earth. The way the old man breaks down in shock and delight at seeing his once-thought dead grandson is sure to break a few hearts.
  • When Peter arrives at his grandpa's house, an older woman greets him and invites him inside. The credits list her as 'Grandma Quill'. It's nice to see that Jason presumably found love and some measure of happiness, even after losing his daughter and grandson. It also means that Peter has a step-grandmother he can bond with!
• The last scene in the movie is Peter just... sitting at the table, sharing breakfast with his grandpa and talking like a normal family. This is presumably after Peter's talked about his life as Star-Lord.
  • Also, Peter doesn't even have to identify himself, even after thirty-odd years. His grandpa's probably been kicking himself all that time. Probably thought Peter was dead more than once.
  • One additional thing: Peter hasn't lost his helpful side. Only it's something more simple like mowing a neighbor lady's yard (albeit while griping that he has to do it while she has a grown and able-bodied son) instead of saving the galaxy.
  • When Peter mentions the neighbor's son not helping with the lawn, Peter's grandpa, agreeing that their neighbor's chores should really be the son's responsibility and not Peter's, quips 'Don't get me started'. Peter expresses interest in what his grandpa has to say about it. He's appreciating some of the mundanity of an ordinary life on Earth, including neighborhood gossip.
• In the list of "Special Thanks" in the closing credits, its first acknowledgement is "All our fans!"
  • Another person thanked in the list is Bobcat Goldthwait—one of James Gunn's biggest supporters during his firing (to the point where he asked Disney to remove his voice work as Pain from the then-upcoming show World of Colour: Villainous! if Gunn wasn't rehired).

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