It’s called “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”

The volume on the movie is more like a 10.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is loud, especially in the Imax at AMC, where the movie was seen for this review.

For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “GOTGV3” should be a terrific ride, with lots of action scenes and lots of interaction in the scenes between the main characters.

Let the summer movie season begin. Admittedly, that’s now the first weekend in May. Thanks mostly to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the start of the summer season is weeks earlier than what used to be the traditional start at the Memorial Day weekend.

In the “GOTGV3” screenplay written by James Gunn, who directs the movie, dialogue-driven character development is emphasized.

You really feel that you can identify with the characters, even if they have green skin (That would be Gamora, played by Zoe Saldaña), or have antennae (That would be Mantas, played by Pom Klementieff) or are a raccoon (That would be Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper).

“GOTGV3” is really an origin story about Rocket Raccoon, who recalls his life in flashbacks throughout the movie.

Rocket Raccoon is the result of experiments on animals that include other critters: an otter, Lylla; walrus, Teefs, and rabbit, Floor. Each is oddly adorable in a Tim Burtonesque way.

What’s amazing about “GOTGV3” is that not for a moment do you doubt the reality of the character of Rocket Raccoon, and his friends, who are depicted with incredible realism in the Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI).

It’s a long way from the days of “Looney Tunes” cartoon characters. You care about a raccoon. Let me repeat that. You care about a raccoon, who is walking on his hind legs and talking. Normally, you would be chasing a raccoon from the trash cans.

And you have to give credit to the actors, who are emoting behind lots of makeup and prosthetics, amidst special effects that don’t dwarf them or overwhelm them and during chaotic, often difficult to follow action scenes.

This goes for the voice actors, too, especially Bradley Cooper, who voices Rocket Raccoon with incredible emotion and conviction.

Director Screenwriter James Gunn has created a band of misfits who bond as a family. It’s this sense of family, of caring and of protecting each other that wins the day, and the movie-goer, in “GOTGV3.”

The repartee between the characters is that of friends, say, buddies in a pick-up playground basketball game or at a beach volleyball game. Of course, in “GOTGV3,” the stakes are much higher, nothing less than the future of the galaxy.

“GOTGV3” has the sense of an epic science fiction film, not unlike “Star Wars” in its band of brothers aspect, or “Star Trek” in its traveling between worlds. You get on board with the Guardians crew and hang on for the humor, the thrills and dear life.

In addition to Rocket Raccoon, other memorable characters in “GOTGV3” include Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, who portrays a conflicted character who challenges the authority of the Guardians team.

Mantas, played by Pom Klementieff, is delightful and fun.

It’s Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, who is at the center of the Galaxy. As leader of the Guardians, he’s sensitive, humorous and sincere.

Others in the cast of note include Dave Bautista as Drax, a loveable lummox; Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary, the mad scientist and villain of the story; Sean Gunn (brother of James Gunn) as Kraglin, who has some nice moments; Karen Gillan as Nebula, as deep a character as the shade of her blue skin, and Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, a super hero with arrested development.

Vin Diesel voices Groot as only he can.

Sylvester Stallone has what amounts to a cameo role as Stakar Ogord, a Ravager.

As with previous films in the series, “GOTGV3” provides a mix-tape of 1970s, and now through the 2000s, pop-rock hits on the soundtrack, often providing a segue between scenes, introducing an important scene and heightening the emotional content of a scene.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is the final movie in the trilogy. There was “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017), each directed by James Gunn, who also directed “The Suicide Squad” (2021). “GOTGV3” is the 32nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

However, the end-credits promise: “The Legendary Star-Lord will return.”

We look forward to seeing where the Guardians next take us in the Galaxy.

“Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3,”

MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.) for intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive-drug references and thematic elements; Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Comedy; Run time; 2 hours, 30 minutes. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

The closing credits of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” include photos of the Guardians from the previous films, Rocket Raccoon confabs with the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Peter Quill talks with his grandfather at the breakfast table.

At The Movies:

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” was seen in the Imax at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16. The effects are such that this might be one movie to see in 3D.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Box Office,

May 12-14: The Chris Pratt Cinematic Universe continues expanding.

Chris Pratt is again in the No. 1 and No. 2 movies at the weekend box office.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” starring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill-Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe extravaganza, continued at No. 1 with $62 million in 4,450 theaters, $214.7 million, two weeks.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which stars the voice talents of Chris Pratt as Mario, continued at No. 2 with $12.6 million in 3,800 theaters, $535.5 million, six weeks.

“Book Club: The Next Chapter,” starring Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, Don Johnson, Andy Garcia and Craig T. Nelson, opened at No. 3 with $6.6 million in 3,508 theaters.

4. “Evil Dead Rise” dropped one place, with $3.7 million in 2,821 theaters, $60.1 million, three weeks. 5. “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” dropped one place, $2.5 million in 2,365 theaters, $16.4 million, three weeks. 6. “Hypnotic,” opening, $2.4 million in 2,118 theaters. 7. “John Wick: Chapter 4” dropped one place, $2 million in 1,613 theaters, $183 million, eight weeks. 8. “Love Again” dropped three places, $1.4 million in 2,703 theaters, $4.9 million, two weeks. 9. “Air” dropped one place, $884,498 in 1,210 theaters, $51.7 million, six weeks. 10. “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” dropped three places, $792.558 in 934 theaters, $92.2 million, seven weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of May 14 is subject to change.

Unreel,

May 19

“Fast X,”

PG-13: Louis Leterrier directs Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, John Cena, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Momoa, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Nathalie Emmanuel, Rita Moreno, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Charlize Theron and Cardi B in the Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama. Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family are the target of Dante (Jason Momoa), son of drug kingpin Hernan Reyes, who was taken out by Dom and his crew in “Fast Five” (2011). It’s the 10th film in the “Fast and the Furious” carsploitation franchise.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of May 14 is subject to change.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes