Here It Is Christmastime
James Gunn and Marvel Studios deliver the perfect holiday special to watch with friends and family. A blend of traditional yet modern Christmas stories and intergalactic antics make a compelling theme for the Guardians of the Galaxy. Between Christmas cheer and the lore of the MCU, this holiday special is an instant classic for comicbook fans.
The story begins with an animated flashback of a young Peter Quill voiced by Luke Klein and Kraglin voiced and played by Sean Gunn decorating for Christmas. Infuriated by what Christmas stands for, Yondu voiced by Michael Rooker says that Ravagers don’t take handouts. Ravagers get what they work for, then proceeds to destroy the decorations and gifts they made. In doing so Kraglin believes Yondu also ruined the spirit of Christmas for Peter.
As the flashback sequence comes to an end some of the team is looking over a balcony discussing the story Kraglin just told them. Nebula played by Karen Gillan suggests that Yondu was correct and that they don’t have time for things like Christmas after purchasing Knowhere. Now the headquarters of the Guardians, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
During the team’s conversation, Peter played by Chris Pratt gets a performance of what aliens believe Christmas to be. Thus, viewers get the first original song of the holiday special, “I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here) written by James Gunn and Old 97’s Rhett Miller. Sensing Peter’s sadness, Mantis played by Pom Klementieff tells Drax played by Dave Bautista that it’s up to her to cheer Peter up and bring Christmas to him because of her secret that she’s his sister. They come up with the plan to give Peter a present he always talks about.
The Perfect Gift
The man that saved a whole town by dancing, Kevin Bacon, has been mentioned from the beginning of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Since Peter Quill was taken from Earth at a young age, Kevin was the movie star he remembered from films growing up. Mantis and Drax set off to Earth to find Kevin and take him to Peter as a Christmas gift. After a night on the town, the duo makes their way toward Kevin’s house chasing him away. After a battle with the police, Mantis uses her empathetic abilities on Kevin altering his feelings and encouraging him to follow them to space.
Mantis and Drax gather the whole community to decorate Knowhere. Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel who has grown in both stature and voice wheels Kevin out in a gift-wrapped box. Peter explains to the Guardians that they have kidnapped Kevin and makes Mantis undo her hold on him. Kevin freaks out and tries to return to Earth. As Kraglin begins to set up the return pod to Earth for Kevin, he explains how Kevin inspired Peter and that the team just wanted to bring Peter some joy. Kevin decides to stay and teach everyone the spirit of Christmas.
“How much for the arm?”
As Kevin Bacon and the Old 97’s perform the original song, “Here It Is Christmastime” by the band itself, the Guardians exchange gifts. The highlight of the gift exchange is Nebula giving Rocket Raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper the Vibranium arm of Bucky Barnes. For fans familiar with the lore and continuity of the MCU, this is a major connection. Rocket told Bucky he wanted his arm back in Avengers: Infinity War. Seeing as how Rocket and Nebula were the only Guardians that weren’t snapped out of existence during the Blip it’s clear that Rocket told her his desire.
The questions that remain are how and when did Nebula get the arm? One fan got an answer to his now-deleted tweet from James Gunn for one of these questions. Whether this is confirmed by Marvel Studios is unclear. In concept art for Thunderbolts, Bucky has his Vibranium arm which raises even more questions. Here is the statement by James Gunn regarding Bucky Barnes’ arm.
The Return of Cosmo
Kevin Bacon isn’t the only new face viewers are introduced to. Cosmo makes her return and first appearance since the first Guardians film. Voiced by Maria Bakalova this is the first time viewers hear Cosmo speak. Cosmo showcases her psychic abilities by helping Rocket with repairs. Cosmo is also shown to have some type of bond with Kraglin. She is only teased in this special, however, she is confirmed to return for Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
As the gift exchange ends and everyone says goodbye to Kevin Bacon, the holiday special comes toward the end. Peter asks Mantis what would make them go out of their way to do all of this for him. She tells him about the story that Kraglin told them, but Peter defers stating Kraglin doesn’t know how the story ended. Another animated flashback shows that Yondu goes back and grabs Peter’s gift from him out of the trash. In return, he gifts Peter the blasters that he’s carried ever since.
After Peter finishes his story, Mantis shares her secret with him which she fears will make him reject her. Instead, he tells her that’s the best gift he could ask for. They hug it out and viewers get a final flashback scene to a young Peter Quill and Yondu driving off into space.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special brings a modern perspective to classic Yuletide celebrations. A mixture between Christmas and sci-fi brings fans an out-of-this-world experience. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, this holiday special is perfect for viewing with friends and family for Christmas time.
Easter Special?
During the scene of Kevin Bacon’s departure he tells the Guardians, “Hey, I’ll see you at Easter.” This can be a hint towards another Marvel Studios Special Presentation. Whether it’s another Guardians of the Galaxy special presentation or a different special entirely is unclear. With the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 coming May 5th, 2023 it’s possible that James Gunn could have one more project for Marvel Studios before his departure to focus as Co-CEO of DC Studios.
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