‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ Has Us Hooked on a Feeling
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special proves there is indeed something special about these new short-form presentations.
This mini-movie revives everything we loved about the original Marvel Studios one-shots. The condensed storytelling leans on mundane absurdity as we blast off on an adventure that is lovingly unpolished.
Untethered from the blockbusters that are suffocating their spinoff shows, this holiday special featuring our favorite gaggle of space criminals — The Guardians — becomes a new tradition in more ways than one.
Marvel really gives our short attention spans something worthwhile here.
As a holiday special, this presentation checks all the boxes. It joyously shoves carolers, gifting-giving montages, and kitschy lawn decorations down our throats at every turn.
Yet it still retains the nuance of the criminal shenanigans and rock-and-roll persona The Guardians of the Galaxy films cultivated so chaotically in their first two cinematic outings.
While I have to give it to Werewolf by Night for being something entirely separate and spooky, both special presentations stand to be the best work Marvel has pumped out this phase simply for staying in their lane and committing to the bit.
We will no doubt revisit The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special for a dose of holly-jolly goodness. But the hope is this superhero short will give Disney higher-ups the green light to invest in more holiday specials — and make them as weird as possible.
Holiday Hilarity
It’s the kind of holiday TV special that hooks you on a feeling.
The setting is electric with nostalgia, mixing the visual elements of a scrappy sci-fi utopia with the candy-colored kaleidoscope of string lights and Christmas capitalism. The running joke of misgendering plastic decorations is so compelling.
The buddy-comedy suits Drax and Mantis beautifully, with a blunt Dave Bautista squaring off against Pom Klementieff’s manic free spirit. Together the two tear their way through the streets of Hollywood, chewing up the scenery with a conviction that almost overshadows Kevin Bacon’s cameo.
The result is an unconventional take on the festive outing that finds success in its delusional celebrations, overly-confident criminals, and oddball comedy.
A Bunch of A-Listers
Kuddos to this holiday special for taking its smaller budget as a sign to move away from Peter Quill and explore a character who deserves her time in the spotlight, Klementieff’s Mantis.
We have never spent this much unfiltered time in Mantis’ presence, and her firecracker persona is much more unhinged than we could have predicted. This makes her the perfect powder keg of aggression and festive cheer for a Christmas episode.
And this Guardians outing does a beautiful job of showcasing its leading women.
Mantis takes center stage, but Karen Gillan’s Nebula finds her moments to eclipse the comedy, cocking her gun aggressively after Kevin Bacon flees and gifting Rocket Bucky’s metal arm in a bit that is subcontext gold.
That said, there isn’t a character in the ensemble that doesn’t find their moment. Vin Diesel’s brief “I am Groot” leads to hilarious one-sided banter, and Sean Gunn thrives in the beats after the joke lands.
There are no duds in this supporting cast, and it’s time the films start utilizing them more.
A Christmas Miracle
Our loveable space outlaws are just as digestible and disruptive on the small screen.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special can be a lot at times, but Peter and Mantis’ final shot suggests a heart somewhere in the madness. This found family has plenty of wacky, wholesome layers worth exploring.
And this special explores them through a lens that never narrows its gaze and infuses the holiday special with some truly affectionate A-Hole behavior.
—
What did you think of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is streaming now on Disney+.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf