The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Is A Hilarious And Heartfelt Spotlight For Drax And Mantis

This article contains spoilers for "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special."

The latest Marvel Studios Special Presentation, "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," has arrived just in time for the holidays. It's a fun, lighthearted affair that does not have galaxy-wide implications for the MCU but delivers a heartfelt tribute to the titular team. Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff), in particular, get their time in the red and green spotlight. The dynamic duo breathes life into the special through some seriously hilarious shenanigans and genuinely compelling moments. This time around, writer-director James Gunn treats them as more than just comedic props.

In the previous "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, both Drax and Mantis are relegated to supporting roles that often accentuate their comedic qualities rather than their emotional ties to the team. The "Holiday Special" positions them as unlikely protagonists, but it's not a gimmick. Drax gets to spread his wings (and some Christmas cheer) during the earthbound adventure, while Mantis undoubtedly serves as the heart of the entire special. Their story is one filled with warmth, excitement, and a sense of discovery that makes for a great escape during the holiday season. 

During the trip to earth, Drax gets to once again hit the typical Gunn-patented comedic markers. However, he isn't the butt of the joke. And when he is, it feels less cheap, too. Alongside Mantis — who he no longer makes fun of relentlessly — Drax experiences the highs and lows of the admittedly strange planet as a full-fledged character. His unquenchable desire for violence is traded for a fun time among friends and family, albeit with a few bone-headed moments (that GoBot deserved it, though).

The scene in the bar continues Gunn's streak of having his main characters socialize in that setting, but it's especially welcoming for a tough-as-nails guy like Drax. The self-proclaimed Destroyer gets to let loose, dance, and understand the true meaning of Christmas. We often laugh at his antics, but the "Holiday Special" does not treat him as any less worthy of joy and love than anyone else. Moreover, his evolved friendship with Mantis goes hand-in-hand with the overall theme of the special.

Although she is a vital part of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," Mantis becomes the focal point of the "Holiday Special" from the very start. When it's revealed that she is hiding a secret from the team, Drax hilariously thinks it has something to do with stealing food. But, as it turns out, Mantis is the half-sister of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and has been struggling to find a way to tell him. However, the Christmas season gives her the opportunity to get closer to her brother and sets the stage for the rest of the story. Instead of being relegated to the sidelines, Mantis' character development is inherently connected to the overarching narrative.

When Mantis is on earth looking for Kevin Bacon with Drax, it's her own conscience that keeps the boat steady, despite the questionable morals of kidnapping someone as a Christmas present. The through line is present until the very end when Mantis finally tells Peter the truth. That moment is special, not just because it feels like Peter has finally found a blood-related family member, but because Mantis herself has grown as a character. The bubbly, yet shy personality now has a family that loves and trusts her, and they all know she does too. The overall story is pretty light on its feet, but it's grounded and propelled by Mantis' personal goals.

On the surface level, it makes sense to put Drax and Mantis at the center of a relatively non-consequential story to give it some levity. But Gunn uses the opportunity to expand upon the themes behind the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films. Finding family in the unlikeliest of places is the gift that keeps on giving, and the "Holiday Special" continues the tradition. Mantis finding a brother in Peter only speaks to the familial relationship the entire team has, while Drax is allowed to be appreciative and thoughtful about them, too.

The "Holiday Special" has reminded us why the Guardians have been among the best, longest-tenured MCU characters to date. Any assumption that either Drax or Mantis should be relegated to being background noise is tossed out the window. The short-form project allows their journey to not be limited to the grander scheme of the MCU. Gunn may be bowing out of the Marvel space after the upcoming third film, but it's heartwarming to see that the deep connection to the characters has only strengthened as the years go on.

"The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" is now available to stream on Disney+.