WARNING: The following post containsGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3spoilers
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3has received attention for depicting animal cruelty. Now, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has bestowed an award upon James Gunn for using the Marvel Studios film to spotlight animal cruelty.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3centers on the team’s efforts to save Rocket Raccoon’s life after he sustains a severe wound at the hands ofWill Poulter’s Adam Warlock, who was ordered to retrieve Rocket by the latter’s creator, Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary. As the team journey’s to find the information needed to save Rocket, flashbacks tell the story of Rocket’s creation and his friendship with Lylla, Teefs, and Floor - an Otter, Walrus, and a rabbit transformed into anthropomorphic creatures by the High Evolutionary’s experiments.
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3does not shy away from Rocket and his friends’suffering due to the High Evolutionary’s experiments. Consequently,PETAhas given Gunn its “Not a Number” for showing Rocket’s origin story, which the organization likens to real animal experiments. “The film is an animal rights masterpiece that tells the story of Rocket, whose early years were spent in a laboratory where he was known only as a number—a practice animal experimenters use to dissociate from the sentient being they’re tormenting,” PETA said in a statement. “Driven to avenge his friends’ murders after escaping from the laboratory, Rocket goes on to save other animals from a similar fate. PETA wants everyone to know that we can all do the same, simply by speaking out against animal experimentation and demanding that corporations, universities, and government agencies switch to cutting-edge, non-animal research methods.”
AS PETA notes, Rocket, Lylla, Teefs, and Floor are used in laboratories where they are caged and mutilated only to be killed after enduring a lifetime of suffering (except Rocket). “Through Rocket, James Gunn has put a face, a name, and a personality on the millions of vulnerable animals being cycled through laboratories as we speak,” PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said. “PETA is celebrating this as the best animal rights film of the year for helping audiences see animals as individuals and suggesting that just because wecanexperiment on them doesn’t mean that weshould.”
Some have criticizedGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3for depicting animal cruelty, arguing it may be too much to handle for the young children who often flock to theaters to see the latest MCU film. However, others appreciate Gunn for exploring a dark subject while maintaining theGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise’s comedic tone. TheMCU is often criticized for dialogue that undercutsits heavy moments. However, Gunn seems to have found the perfect balance between comedy and seriousness, expertly demonstrated by his handling of Rocket’s story.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3is now playing in theaters.
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