TV REVIEW: THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL

4/5

Thanksgiving Bacon.

44 Mins. Starring: Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Old 97's, Michael Rooker & Kevin Bacon. Director: James Gunn. 

Hooked on a festive feeling, it's time to deck the halls with a different sort of Christmas tree. His name is Groot...and he's all grown-up after his sap sweet series of shorts on Disney + this year. Despite the recent game-changing small screen seasons of shows like 'She-Hulk: Attorney At Law' and genre redefining movies like 'Black Panther' and its 'Wakanda Forever' sequel released to begin this month, volume after volume, the 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' have remained some of the most popular Marvels in K.E.V.I.N's cinematic universe. Between all the Avengers, verses of Spider-Men and the electric guitar teased X-Men mutants to be unsheathed like Wolverine fingernails (you've been tapping on that photo in a frame for far too long, Bub). This is why cult favourite James Gunn has been handed the reins to DC Comics after he killed it last year with 'The Suicide Squad' respawn and his own spin-off 'Peacemaker' series. And why not, like Los Angeles Laker Russell Westbrook finding his way again in Hollywood? Besides, like someone aptly put it on social media, "Captain America's not going to shag you for hatin' on DC" (he just might not recognize you here). There's room for us all to play in the sandbox here. Building realms of castles and thrones from T'Challa's Kingdom, to under the sea like 'The Little Mermaid' (don't hate). 

'Tis the season for taking inspiration off 'The Star Wars Holiday Special', which we need on Disney Plus like we do that seventies 'Incredible Hulk' show that our new favourite 'Attorney At Law' (even if you have close counsel with Matt Murdock (like her)) paid perfect tribute to. A Marvel Studios Special Presentation with that now classic 80s themed ID intro after the black and white vintage Halloween horrors of 'Werewolf By Night'. Now, following 'Wakanda Forever's' beautiful credit crawl tribute to the late, great King Chadwick Boseman, we have a Christmas lights Marvel red themed one here for the comics. All to mark the one-year anniversary where your 'Hawkeye(s)' hit the home for the holidays, hallmark heart of this Christmas season. Now you can be thankful for this pre-Christmas TV special that has dropped this Thanksgiving like deflated Macy’s Day Parade balloons (we see you, Spidey). From the Ego of the sequel, to the third volume to come, post-'Endgame', the good tidings of this cracking Christmas tease will tide you over. Even if those hoping for some Gamora variant, Sly Stallone, Miley Cyrus, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) and Michelle Yeoh appearances everything, everywhere, all at once will just have to be patient. There's plenty other cracking Easter Eggs to stir your yoke until then, this Thanksgiving. With all the comic trimmings. 

Turkey? What turkey?! This season and week, which may as well be another Disney + day with Elton John's 'Farewell From Dodger Stadium' concert live stream and the 'Andor' season finale for 'Star Wars'. And of course this saved and served for a best last feast this weekend. The whole team are here, minus Thor, after the Guardians' appearance in this Summer's 'Love and Thunder'. Chris Pratt, on fine festive feeling form before he swaps a spaceship for a Mario Kart. Karen Gillan, darkly droll and with the best dance moves masking that bruised, but beautiful soul. Megastars Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper voicing your favourite talking tree and Rocket the Racoon respectively (and another animal and famous face). And Sean Gunn proving he's truly part of the team, even if he can't shoot straight with that arrow (oh, ho-hum, just whistle why you work). And what if Michael Rooker's Yondu got called back too in animated prelude, meaning of Christmas form? For one troll and sweet backstory we do want to hear from. 

Yet, slumped on the sobering sidewalk, it's the team-up of a dry and droll Drax, Dave Bautista as the Invisible Man and a hopping mad Pom Klementieff's sweet and sincere soul of Mantis that steal more than the show in this comic trip team-up. From getting drunk off more than egg nog, to beating down some cops who shoot first and wonder why they can't hit later. Pom's powers changing your heart too after a cynical calendar for an emotionally charged moment. But before all that on Christmas Day, this Thanksgiving is about Bacon, not turkey as our Destroyer and praying alien hunt down none other than the Legend that is Kevin Bacon for the ultimate Christmas present to save Star-Lord's day. Who else but the 'Footloose' legend that saved a town with dance and inspired this Guardian to do the same for the galaxy, stepping to the same rhythm? Even though in this Multiverse Kevin has already played a 'First Class' Sebastian Shaw in an 'X-Men' movie. 

Heart-warming and hilarious as he rolls with it, Bacon sizzles and serves himself up perfectly. Even making music with the Old 97's from Dallas, Texas. Also appearing as an alien band, straight out of Knowhere, with one hell of a sweet strum, despite only just picking up these instruments. Because what great Gunn shot would be the same without a firing on all cylinders, nostalgic soundtrack? This one has all the Pogues and everything you could wish for this Yuletide season. Even an adored 'Christmastime' from the legendary Smashing Pumpkins, post Halloween for the most beautiful moment of the mini-movie that will have you brooding and beaming home for Christmas, fairy lights and the dear, beloved ones you hold closest. From me and mine, to you and your filthy animals, Merry Christmas, you bunch of a-####s! TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'I Am Groot', 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2', 'Werewolf By Night'.