Warning! This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.While Marvel Studios’ movies are usually suitable for all ages, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 includes some elements that may be unsuitable for younger children. With the first Guardians of the Galaxy film releasing in 2014, it is clear that James Gunn has aged the franchise alongside its audience. Many of the younger children that watched the team’s introduction to the MCU will now be almost a decade older, meaning the final entrance to the Guardians franchise can push the envelope in regard to what is possible of a PG-13 MCU movie.
While this is not to say the film is entirely unsuitable for younger Marvel moviegoers, there are some elements that parents may want to be aware of before taking their children to see the film. From the more emotionally intense story centered on the abuse of Rocket to an abundance of curse words and some violent imagery, the film certainly dials up the less child-friendly elements of the MCU that may result in a potentially censored version once Guardians 3 releases on Disney+. That being said, here is everything parents and families may need to know before taking younger audience members to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Is Rated PG-13
The first thing to note is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s rating. The film received a certification of PG-13, the same as every other MCU movie. PG-13 often denotes that the film may be unsuitable for audience members younger than 13, which is undoubtedly the case for Guardians Vol. 3. While not strictly R-rated, meaning younger children are allowed to watch the film, there are many elements that could be uncomfortable for younger viewers.
While every other MCU movie holds a PG-13 rating, Guardians 3 definitely pushes the boundaries of the certification. The reason for this likely stems from the film’s finality, and also the fact that it is James Gunn’s final MCU film. As a result, the filmmaker was allowed more leeway from Marvel Studios, meaning the film is undoubtedly one of the darker PG-13 entries to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Has Scenes Of Animal Torture & Emotional Trauma
Arguably the most difficult-to-watch element of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 for all ages is the story of Rocket Raccoon. The film deals with Rocket’s origins, specifically how he was created through cruel experimentation and torture at the hands of the High Evolutionary. As a result, many of the film’s flashback scenes show scenes of animal abuse. While not overtly shown, due to the film’s PG-13 rating, Gunn manages to tug on the heartstrings by including some scenes that are difficult to watch.
Similarly, Rocket’s friends – Lylla, Teefs, and Floor – are subject to these experiments. The film, therefore, is disturbing in its implications of what abuse they went through, specifically when thought turns to their cybernetic enhancements and what would have been needed to implement them. These experiments, the abuse and torture of animals, and the general mistreatment of the creatures make for uncomfortable viewing, especially given the aspects of emotional trauma that hinge on these elements of the film.
Rocket’s emotional story is particularly harrowing, resulting in many tragic scenes that could be difficult for younger viewers to sit through. While these uncomfortable elements all work within the context of the story, and provide what is one of the most emotionally moving entrances into the MCU thus far, it does not mean they make for easy viewing. It is also worth pointing out that these scenes are majoritively limited to flashbacks, though their importance to the story of the film means they stick in the mind long after viewing.
GOTG 3 Includes The MCU’s First F-Bomb (& Lots More Cursing)
Aside from the dark aspects of Rocket’s story, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 includes many curse words. This was to be expected, given the first two Guardians movies tended to be more free-flowing in terms of the swear words uttered by the film’s heroes. The Guardians series has always included the MCU’s most crass humor, which does not change with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This means that there is nothing particularly shocking in Guardians 3 over the first two films, aside from an MCU first in regards to cursing.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 features the MCU’s first-ever F-bomb. In a scene in which the Guardians are attempting to enter a normal Earthly car, Star-Lord says the F-word clearly for the first time in the MCU. The scene is one of the funniest in the movie, though the use of this language may dissuade parents from taking very young children to see the film as a result. It is worth noting that every PG-13 movie is permitted one usage of the F-word, though Guardians 3 is the first MCU movie to abide by this rule.
GOTG 3 Has Lots Of Violence & Grotesque Imagery
Finally, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has plenty of violence and grotesque imagery that could cause discomfort in younger viewers. Undoubtedly the most gory scene comes in the film’s climax after the High Evolutionary’s defeat. In one of the film’s flashbacks, Rocket is shown savagely attacking the High Evolutionary, with the ending of the film revealing the effects of this scene. The High Evolutionary is revealed to have been wearing a mask since the flashback, with his face underneath grotesquely scarred. The prosthetics to achieve this effect are visually similar to Harvey Dent/Two-Face from The Dark Knight, with much of the skin missing from the villain’s face.
This may be uncomfortable for children to see, alongside some of the other more violent aspects of the film. In the third act of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, there is a one-take action sequence in a hallway. While the sequence is one of the best the MCU has ever done in terms of action, some of the deaths may not be suitable for children. From enemies being stabbed, dismembered, and cut in half to the regular violence that accompanies MCU action, children under 13 may be affected by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s depiction of intense combat sequences.
