'The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special' Review: A Warm Slice Of Festive Spirit… In Space
The Guardians of the Galaxy bring Christmas to space in a heartfelt celebration of family and friendship.
In Marvel Studios’ latest Special Presentation, the Guardians of the Galaxy return for a breezy adventure that sees Drax and Mantis journey to Earth in an attempt to learn more about Christmas - and recreate the holiday for their friend Peter. At just 45 minutes in length, the story feels much more self-contained than anything Marvel has ever produced before, and that’s easily its biggest advantage. There’s none of the lengthy exposition or intense conflict that you’d usually find in an MCU film or series, which allows the festive special to really make the most of its silly premise and spend some much-needed time with these beloved characters.
It’s been five years since audiences were last treated with a new Guardians of the Galaxy movie, and plenty has happened since then; from saving the universe (twice) to losing a primary member of their team, the Guardians’ lives have changed a lot since we last caught up with them. And whilst this holiday special doesn’t delve too deeply into the personal affairs of the team, it still aims to answer any outstanding questions that fans might have been asking themselves since Volume 2. Alongside some further insight into Quill’s childhood with Yondu and the Ravagers, this Special Presentation also closely explores the relationship between Peter and Mantis, proving that things between them are a little more complicated than we ever knew.
But beyond these two aspects, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a fairly independent story that doesn’t have much relevance within the MCU as a whole. There’s no required watching outside of the previous two films, which makes a nice change from the ever-connected storyline of the MCU as we enter its fifth phase. The concept of the special is simple: when presented with the opportunity to bring Christmas to life for human-born Peter Quill, his alien friends Drax and Mantis travel to Earth on a quest to bring him the best present he could ask for - Hollywood superstar Kevin Bacon. Like the previous two installments in James Gunn’s superhero saga, the special is filled with unexpected laughs and bold storytelling that really set it apart from anything else in the MCU. It balances comedy with drama in a surprisingly effective way, keeping the audience laughing whilst providing several touching character moments that remind viewers why they love this fictional family in the first place.
In spite of its generic title, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is almost entirely a vehicle for Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff as Drax and Mantis respectively. Their characters haven’t really had the chance to share the screen much in the past, but this project proves that they’ve got one of the most entertaining and compelling dynamics in the entire Marvel franchise. Every single scene is elevated by their hilarious performances, and they elevate what could have very easily been a silly and juvenile story into something genuinely gripping and engaging - few actors know how to navigate Gunn’s unique screenplays as effectively as these two, and this project proves it. Kevin Bacon also shines as a fictionalized version of himself, occupying a surprisingly large role in the story that actually works really well; his sense of humor blends excellently with the rest of the cast, and it’s clear that he’s having just as much fun with the project as everybody else. It’s a real treat to watch, and it opens the door for plenty more celebrity cameos in the future.
Above all, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special proves that the future of the MCU looks brighter than most people are willing to believe. Though many have started to lose interest in the franchise as a result of the abundance of new properties, it’s projects like this that prove there’s still a place for the MCU in today’s climate. Even if that future exists primarily in Special Presentations like this, there’s very little to complain about when they’re as entertaining and enjoyable as this. It’s filled with Christmas spirit and festive positivity that’s sure to keep audiences engaged from start to finish, with the short runtime ensuring that there’s never a dull moment in the entire story. James Gunn has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that even without the most exciting or high-stakes story, the Guardians of the Galaxy are among the best superhero characters on screen today.