If you were ever wondering what a Marvelized version of the 20th Century Fox classic Home Alone might look like, look no further than James Gunn’s new Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special which was just released this weekend on Disney+.
The GOTG special presentation is everything you would expect from Gunn – it’s goofy, sweet and reunites with the Guardians – Peter Quill, Mantis, Drax, Groot, Nebula, Rocket and Kraglin Obfonteri – before we see them next summer in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
It also has Kevin Bacon, who puts in a wonderfully wacky turn as… Kevin Bacon. is no stranger to the Marvel Universe as he played villainous Sebastian Shaw in Matthew Vaughn’s 2011 hit, X-Men: First Class.
The 45-minute presentation begins with an animated preface told by Kraglin (Sean Gunn) about Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) first Christmas with his adoptive father and leader of The Ravagers, Yondu (Michael Rooker). Although Quill made a gift for Yondu, things don’t go well. Yondu knocks the gift away while chiding and reminding his adoptive son that Ravagers do not take handouts.
We soon learn that Kraglin is telling this story to Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff). When they see Quill walking around, still mourning the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), on their new home base, Knowhere, Mantis convinces a reluctant Drax to travel to Earth to get Quill the ultimate Christmas present – Kevin Bacon.
Since the first Guardians film, Quill has praised Bacon for his role in the classic 1980s film, Footloose. The two believe bringing the hero, who saved a small town with his dancing, to Quill will brighten his holiday. The two set off on a mini-adventure to Earth.
It’s here where the somewhat goofy, and expected fun begins. We see the two encounter “The Costumes” and holiday travelers on Hollywood Blvd. In a hilarious moment, Mantis mistakes a Captain America impersonator for the real thing while Drax beats up a Go-Bot.
After they discover an easy way to make lots of money, the two end up doing shots and dancing in a Hollywood Gay bar.
Finally, they reach the home of Kevin, who is alone. It becomes a Home Alone-inspired story as Mantis and Drax use their superpowers to break into the house and kidnap Bacon.
There is a pretty funny moment back aboard the Benatar (named after Pat of course) where Bacon confesses to the two heroes that he is an actor. Both Drax and Mantis have the same revulsionary reaction.
Once the two return to Knowhere, the former home of The Collector, the expected mayhem ensues. When Quill presses Mantis why they would go through so much for him, Mantis shares a deeper reason which we won’t spoil here. Watch the trailer below:
REELated:
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a worthy addition to any family holiday viewing collection. Think of it as a whimsical, yet forgettable, plate of sugar cookies. Gunn and company have gifted us with a holiday playlist full of warmth, cheer, and family. There is even a memorable song over the opening credits called I don’t know What Christmas Is (But Here It Is Christmastime) by band, the Old 97’s:
Here is a list of all the songs in the special:
- “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues with Kristy MacColl
- “I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime is Here)” by The Old 97’s
- “Dead by XMas” by Hanoi Rocks
- “Christmas Treat” by Julian Casablancas
- “Is This Christmas?” by The Wombats
- “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
- “Just Like Christmas” by LOW
- “I Want An Alien for Christmas” by Fountains of Wayne
- “Mrs. Claus” by Little Jackie
- “Christmastime” by The Smashing Pumpkins
- “Here It Is Christmastime” by Kevin Bacon and The Old 97’s
Although it is the fifth time around for these characters, the cast still knows how to embody them and even reveal something new. Standing out, for even a short time, is Karen Gillian’s Nebula who is as dry as ever. Just observe her as she ends a long-time-running MCU joke with Rocket.
So somewhere in between watching Frosty, Rudolph, and Grinchy, try adding Mantis, Drax and Kevin to your holiday viewing. It’s worth it as it whets the appetite for the Phase five entry next May.
Bottom Line: Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a REEL SEE and you don’t even have to leave your living room.
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Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com
