The Guardians of the Galaxy have decided that Peter doesn’t feel the Christmas spirit, and they’re going to show him just how much they care by taking him on a personal mission to take down Santa.
Drax and Mantis decide to get Captain Peter a gift for Christmas, and they settle on getting him Kevin Bacon as a present. This is a nice gesture on their part, but instead of getting him something new or trendy, they go with something that Peter really loves - his favorite actor from Earth. ..
Drax and Mantis set out to retrieve the legendary actor, but their journey is cut short when they encounter Hollywood Boulevard and Captain America. The comical misadventures continue as Drax and Mantis chase Bacon around his house and through the streets of his LA neighbourhood. In the end, they are successful in capturing the actor, but it’s all for a good laugh. ..
Drax and Mantis are a joy to watch as they venture through the streets of Hollywood. Bacon brings on the laughs too, ably playing himself without spoofing his real-life persona. They get the majority of this short film’s running time but there is still room for the other Guardians to make a minor impact, including Cosmo the Space Dog who is now formally a part of the team.
In this short story, we follow the Guardians of the Galaxy as they travel to an alien planet to stop a powerful being from taking over. While on their trip, they are joined by a character who is not from the Marvel Cinematic Universe but who might have some connection to it down the line. This character is revealed in the end of the story and it will have consequences for both of the Guardians.
This is a Christmas-themed special, so expect heartwarming messages about family and the importance of being together during the holiday season. Thankfully, this isn’t as sentimental as many of the other festive films that clog up our streaming services but there are moments when you might actually shed a tear, especially during the closing chapter when Peter realises the efforts his team have gone through to make Christmas special for him again. The laughs aren’t too far behind so you don’t have to worry about this being a total blub-fest but it’s good that writer-director Gunn has managed to infuse this holiday special with a few moments that will truly touch your heart.
The film’s main focus is on Drax and Mantis’ misadventures, but there is plenty of room for other characters and stories to come into play. The song about Santa Claus and his evil elves is a fun way to tie all of the disparate stories together.
As the song is sung by characters from another planet who know nothing about Christmas other than the bare basics, you can forgive them for misinterpreting the intentions of the jolly red fellow and his band of merry toy makers. You might want to remind your kids of this when they hear lyrics that detail Santa’s career as a master burglar who hurls sugar plums at people’s heads and who roasts chestnuts (possibly meant as a euphemism) with his flamethrower!
The Guardians latest release is a joyful excursion into their universe that is sure to make you laugh out loud. It is also the perfect thing to lift your spirits during the Christmas season. Unlike relatives who may visit during the holiday season, this release does not overstay its welcome so you can enjoy it quickly and without having to carve too much time out of your schedule. ..
