Nearly every review of every Marvel Studios film these days becomes at least in part a commentary on the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the one you’re reading now is no exception (though I will try to stick to the assignment as much as possible). In defense of myself and everyone else tasked with reviewing these movies, it’s not really our fault! The MCU built its empire on connections and callbacks and on those fun little moments of recognition reminding you that all these movies fit together into one giant puzzle with an enormously satisfying payoff just around the corner.
But even as it became one of the most beloved parts of the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy always felt like it existed in its own private corner of the universe. Sure, some of the characters have deep ties to Thanos, and the Guardians played a key role in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. But their two solo films felt as self-contained as anything Marvel Studios has ever made, both in terms of story and the unique voice and tone that writer/director James Gunn infused into the films.
