by Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
The eclectic group of misfits known as the Guardians of the Galaxy have always been a breath of fresh air in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. James Gunn’s original entry in the trilogy fully broke the mold in 2014. The vibrant colors and infectious soundtrack lit up a genre that fans were becoming increasingly desensitized to. The sequel, while relatively divisive, continued to push the medium forward with flashy visuals and inventive action sequences. Personally, I believe Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the most underrated film Marvel has released to date. And while that is a topic for a whole different article, it does segue into my next point: I had incredibly high expectations for the gang’s newest side quest. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special had the opportunity to be a jolly pit stop between the apocalyptic events of Avengers: Endgame and the conclusion of the Guardian’s trilogy, set to be released next year. Did it stick the landing?
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is Disney’s second go at the TV Special format they explored with Werewolf by Night. It takes place a handful of years after Avengers: Endgame. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and company have turned the small planet of Knowhere into their own little fixer upper. They have acquired a new ship named the Bowie, and Groot is looking bulkier than ever. The concept is simple. Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) want to make Quill’s holiday season special to make up for a handful of traumatic years. The path the pair takes to this goal is a bit more convoluted. They make their way back to earth and attempt to make a gift of one of Quill’s childhood idols.
I’m delighted to say this special is just as amusing as I had hoped. If you go into it expecting to be wowed by spectacle and enticed by larger implications within the universe, you might be a little disappointed. The film does a solid job of setting up the team’s future, and even introduces a handful of quirky characters. It even adds depth to some of the main characters. However, Gunn’s goal is not to tease the future or expand the world. He and his crew went all in on the wholesome, family-friendly holiday vibes. The theming has always been a strength in Gunn’s MCU entries, and this addition is no different. The message is simple but impactful, and it culminates in one of the most emotional moments of Phase Four. Ultimately, the Guardians trilogy is about finding family. This film does a fantastic job of filling in some of the gaps and ensuring the conclusion can fully capitalize on that core idea.
Humor is the second piece that has been at the front of this franchise. The comedy in the film is unfortunately inconsistent. Some jokes and quips hit hard, and others felt a bit too immature. I think this is a common factor throughout the franchise and throughout Gunn’s filmography. Maybe it’s simply the result of a dedication to appeal to audiences of all ages. Maybe my personal sense of humor just doesn’t perfectly align with Gunn’s tastes. Either way, some of the jokes fall flat in a way that stops me from fully falling in love with this outing. Fortunately, that is really the only drawback that comes to mind.
The piece is brief and manages to engage from front to back. It is a worthy entry in one of my favorite franchises that continues to establish that the “superhero” tag has a place in all genres.
Score: 7/10
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is currently streaming on Disney+
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