Film Editor Jess Parker reviews Marvel’s I Am Groot, deciding that although it has been overlooked, it is definitely worth the watch
Marvel’s new Disney+ venture, I Am Groot, is a comedic sci-fi series that is made up of five animated shorts. The series focusses on Baby Groot (Vin Diesel), a young sentient tree who first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The episodes run alongside The Infinity Saga, and are set between the ending and the end-credits scene of the film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The shorts focus on Baby Groot as he grows up, getting himself into all kinds of mischief.
The series is in keeping with the incredible visual effects that have always supported the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise
Through the five shorts we see Baby Groot living in a plant pot, attacking a tiny civilisation, dance-battling a shape-shifting liquid alien, taking a relaxing mud bath, and creating a family picture for his raccoon father figure Rocket (Bradley Cooper). The episodes can be enjoyed in isolation, and range between rather silly plotlines to genuinely tender moments. The episodes do not try to expand any already established plotlines – they exist simply to show more of fan-favourite Baby Groot’s antics.
Visual effects company Luma Pictures animated the series, creating a sense of photorealism that matches up to that of the big-budget blockbusters that Marvel are known for producing. The company previously worked on animating Baby Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which is evident in the high quality of their work. The series is in keeping with the incredible visual effects that have always supported the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
It was a pleasant surprise to fans that both Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper were reprising their roles in the series. Cooper’s voice acting is impressive, exemplified in his interactions with Baby Groot in ‘Magnum Opus’. During the moment that Baby Groot gives Rocket the family picture that he is created, Cooper’s vocal performance captures how memorably sweet the interaction is within a such a short series.
Marvel’s recent TV shows have become rather exhausting to trawl through, so this short-form content feels like a well needed break
The choice to release I Am Groot as a series of shorts feels like a positive move for both Marvel and Disney+. With the Disney machine constantly churning out new Marvel franchises and stories, it is refreshing to see a different content form that is not forcing huge new mythises and contexts onto its viewers. Marvel’s recent TV shows have become rather exhausting to trawl through, so this short-form content feels like a well needed break, especially since it does not directly impact or alter any large plotlines or relationships within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I Am Groot can be easily overlooked amongst its fellow Marvel series, however, I think it deserves the brief half hour that it asks of you to watch all five episodes. Ultimately, Baby Groot’s hijinks through space are not going to change your outlook on the Infinity Saga, on Marvel’s ever expanding universe, or even on the young tree himself. I Am Groot will, however, make you smile. Baby Groot is an innately loveable character that many have gravitated towards while watching the Guardians of the Galaxy films. I believe that this harmless and brief addition to such a beloved character’s storyline is definitely worth a watch.
Rating: 3/5
Want to read more TV reviews? Check these out!
Comments