Hey! It’s been a while since I went to the cinema, and I was starting to feel like this category was getting left behind. I know that technically, it’s TV and not cinema, but I’ve been dying to watch that early Christmas present from James Gunn and the Guardians of the Galaxy crew. Each year, we get the same Christmas movies. It’s so redundant that it would make any enthusiast lose their spirit. With that in mind, I went into this with tempered expectations, even though the Guardians are pretty much the only reason I haven’t given up on the MCU at this point. So, is it worth the watch?

A legendary gift

Peter Quill is feeling sad. Well, after all, Gamora is not here with them anymore. However, that’s not the only thing ruining his mood. Christmas is just around the corner and for a reason that I won’t spoil, Peter doesn’t associate it with his best memories. To help him, Drax and Mantis embark on an adventure. They are going to plan a Christmas party to cheer him up. As for the gift, there’s no limit. Their goal is to bring him the legendary hero who fueled all the stories about Earth that they’ve heard : Kevin Bacon.

If you think the sole purpose of this idea is to give us scenes of Drax and Mantis acting like their usual goofball selves on Earth, you’re half right. This takes up a bit more than half of the 44-minute run time. It’s lighthearted and funny. It’s the classic Guardians humour and the music is as good as ever. This idea only works because the characters have been well established for years. Everybody involved is having fun and it shows. I personally loved it. The whole thing is funny and touching. Some lines and songs are a bit corny here and there, but ain’t that the spirit of Christmas?

In short, if you’re familiar with these characters and you have 44 minutes to spare, then go for it. James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy are a UFO in a MCU landscape that is in desperate need of renewal. They’re a nice family that you always enjoy catching up on, even if it’s just for a stupid Christmas-themed, Kevin Bacon-related skit. Their third and final adventure has already been filmed and is scheduled for Spring 2023. I can’t wait!