Chris Pratt reprises his role as Star Lord (Picture: Marvel Studios)
It’s a Christmas miracle that in a world gripped by superhero fatigue, James Gunn continues to pump out wildly entertaining, idiosyncratic superhero properties that feel as fresh as the first time.
Only this year he brought his Suicide Squad standout Peacemaker to TV screens in a blaze of 1980s hair rock glory, and now he’s bringing his most famous characters, The Guardians of the Galaxy, to our homes in this fun, if slight, Xmas special.
Of course, they’re not just going to hang a few decorations and get him some socks, oh no, they’re going to Earth to kidnap the hero of all his stories: Kevin Bacon.
The plot is as simple as it is fiendishly clever: Star Lord (Chris Pratt) is feeling down in the dumps that his girlfriend Gamora doesn’t know who he is any longer (because she’s from a different universe and the first one died and… you know what, just take it on face value) and so Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff, who is also holding the big secret that she’s Star Lord’s half-sister) set out on an adventure to raise his spirits via his favourite holiday Christmas.
It’s a perfect excuse to get Drax and Mantis, easily the best two characters of the whole ensemble, on Earth to get drunk, get into fights and scare the living bejeebus out of a very game Kevin Bacon.
It’s funny stuff and Bautista in particular, who seems to be getting better and better with every project he acts in, is on top form as the incredibly literal and somewhat sadistic Drax (a running joke about how much he loved a Christmas decoration will have you in stitches).
Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) are on a mission to bring Star Lord some holiday cheer (Picture: Jessica Miglio)
Kevin Bacon stars as himself (Picture: Marvel Studios)
People often point to Taika Waititi as being one of the few capable of breaking out of the Marvel formula straitjacket, but Gunn does much the same and, arguably, does it better.
More: Entertainment
The focus on Drax and Mantis, however, does present a slight problem in that there’s not much of the rest of the team in this special. Rocket, Groot, Gamora, heck, even Star Lord, don’t have much of a role beyond a couple of cameos.
Fans of the banter and quips between the ragtag group will be somewhat disappointed and you can tell it was tagged on to the end of filming for the third movie instalment.
But that doesn’t matter much when you’ve got another incredible James Gunn soundtrack (this time including an original song he wrote with the Old 97’s), more Christmas spirit than you can shake a candy cane at, and proof that Kevin Bacon is far more than just the guy off the EE adverts. A Christmas miracle indeed.
Streaming on Disney+.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
It’s got plenty of Christmas cheer – and a great soundtrack.
