I Am Groot Season 1 (2022)
For the ever-growing and expanding MCU, the Disney+ platform offers a unique new temptation as the ability to release even more content without concern for the theatrical schedule or production. This has already been delivered with the MCU using miniseries to fill the gaps between theatrical releases including the likes of WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel which have already been released. While each of these series has used a long-form style of storytelling, the streaming platform is also a golden opportunity for short-form series that can spend time with characters and stories without the need to craft a full narrative or long-form runtime. While audiences wait for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to release in 2023, it makes sense that Marvel would use the Disney+ platform to provide fresh Guardians fun with the release of I Am Groot.
Written and directed by Kirsten Lepore, I Am Groot presents 5 short films featuring the beloved character Groot, once again voiced by Vin Diesel, who gets into small hijinks and adventures. While obviously I Am Groot does very little to propel the MCU or develop any of its major stories, it is hard to argue that the series doesn't feel refreshing considering the current state of the MCU as a whole. Growing way too large with too much content for any casual viewer to keep up with, to see an MCU project embrace a smaller focus and scale is invigorating. I Am Groot knows exactly what it is and doesn't ever try to add filler or meaningless segments to become anything more. The most common issue found in the MCU right now is a struggle of runtime. The series often rely on filler to fill their 6-episode format while features often run nearly an hour more than they need. I Am Groot allows the audience to have brisk fun with the character and then move on without having to deal with these negatives.
It also helps that the series is simply fun. There is a charm to Groot that has dated back to the first Guardians of the Galaxy nearly a decade ago. These simple yet effective shorts are nothing short of adorable with the writers clearly understanding what makes this character as enjoyable as he is. From Groot fighting with a bonsai plant to Groot hunting small aliens around the Eclector, these are basic yet fully successful plots. Make no mistake though that this show is a Groot show rather than that of a Guardians of the Galaxy show. Outside of a short appearance by Rocket (Bradley Cooper), none of the Guardians are present for the show which allows fresh humor for Groot who normally is used to bounce off these other characters.
Somewhat surprisingly considering the scale of the show, I Am Groot is also one of the more technically strong MCU projects as of recent. Since Spider-Man: Far from Home in 2019, nearly every MCU project has suffered from awkward visual effects that read as almost embarrassing considering the budget given to these projects. While evidence has suggested that this issue is due to the higher-ups rather than the actual animators themselves, the issue remains truth. I Am Groot is void of this however as the rendering is fantastic. The use of textures is strong as these alien worlds and alien creatures are brought to life. It also is fresh to see the MCU universe on such a small scale allowing new creatures such as a tiny civilization living under a rock to be seen. The MCU almost exclusively works with huge scales of threats and focuses, so again this helps the show feel fresh.
While it is hard to claim that I Am Groot has enough substance to be "must watch" material, the project is undeniably charming. This short-form content is hopefully something that the MCU continues to invest in and that the overall universe can return to basics like this. With the entire series taking about 20-minutes to binge watch, this is an easy recommendation for fans of the character.
Written and directed by Kirsten Lepore, I Am Groot presents 5 short films featuring the beloved character Groot, once again voiced by Vin Diesel, who gets into small hijinks and adventures. While obviously I Am Groot does very little to propel the MCU or develop any of its major stories, it is hard to argue that the series doesn't feel refreshing considering the current state of the MCU as a whole. Growing way too large with too much content for any casual viewer to keep up with, to see an MCU project embrace a smaller focus and scale is invigorating. I Am Groot knows exactly what it is and doesn't ever try to add filler or meaningless segments to become anything more. The most common issue found in the MCU right now is a struggle of runtime. The series often rely on filler to fill their 6-episode format while features often run nearly an hour more than they need. I Am Groot allows the audience to have brisk fun with the character and then move on without having to deal with these negatives.
It also helps that the series is simply fun. There is a charm to Groot that has dated back to the first Guardians of the Galaxy nearly a decade ago. These simple yet effective shorts are nothing short of adorable with the writers clearly understanding what makes this character as enjoyable as he is. From Groot fighting with a bonsai plant to Groot hunting small aliens around the Eclector, these are basic yet fully successful plots. Make no mistake though that this show is a Groot show rather than that of a Guardians of the Galaxy show. Outside of a short appearance by Rocket (Bradley Cooper), none of the Guardians are present for the show which allows fresh humor for Groot who normally is used to bounce off these other characters.
Somewhat surprisingly considering the scale of the show, I Am Groot is also one of the more technically strong MCU projects as of recent. Since Spider-Man: Far from Home in 2019, nearly every MCU project has suffered from awkward visual effects that read as almost embarrassing considering the budget given to these projects. While evidence has suggested that this issue is due to the higher-ups rather than the actual animators themselves, the issue remains truth. I Am Groot is void of this however as the rendering is fantastic. The use of textures is strong as these alien worlds and alien creatures are brought to life. It also is fresh to see the MCU universe on such a small scale allowing new creatures such as a tiny civilization living under a rock to be seen. The MCU almost exclusively works with huge scales of threats and focuses, so again this helps the show feel fresh.
While it is hard to claim that I Am Groot has enough substance to be "must watch" material, the project is undeniably charming. This short-form content is hopefully something that the MCU continues to invest in and that the overall universe can return to basics like this. With the entire series taking about 20-minutes to binge watch, this is an easy recommendation for fans of the character.