‘I am Groot’ Review: Vin Diesel as Groot gives us a funny and action-packed ride in Marvel series of shorts
We have all loved watching Marvel's TV series like 'Wandavision', 'Ms Marvel' and 'Hawkeye' that extend the universe wrought by Marvel's super successful blockbuster movies. Finally, it is the turn of Marvel’s highly-awaited fantasy adventure series ‘I am Groot’ that premiered on August 10. Directed by Kirsten Lepore, the official description of the series reads, “I Am Groot” is a collection of five original shorts starring Baby Groot, everyone’s favorite little tree, and will feature several new and unusual characters.”
In the first episode of the series, makers instantly introduce us to the lovable Groot, voiced by megastar Vin Diesel, living in a futuristic dystopian world. We see how Groot (Vin Diesel) is sleeping soundly and snoring. His gadgets help him bathe. Suddenly, we see him eating a cheese ball from a chips pack which causes his plant pot to break.
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The first three episodes of the series tell us a fantasy-themed adventure tale of Groot breaking free from the plant pot that held him and coming into his own as a superhero, who is destined to save and help people. He is seen running around after breaking all his bonds and is seen mocking the giant (parent?) tree and the gadgets that tried to control his life. The show lays down a solid origin story for Groot, pre-Guardian of the Galaxy era. We see his first baby steps into the futuristic world where he tries scaring the otherworldly mythical creatures who then use their guns to hurt him, injuring Groot for the very first time. We see him making a treehouse for himself but a huge white creature with a purple tongue fights with him and breaks it down. Groot tries to save his house but ultimately it is destroyed, resulting in his anger. When he falls down on the ground after getting hurt from bullets, he farts a leaf that’s eaten by the creatures happily. We see Groot waking up in a different dystopian world where he meets a mirror reflection of himself who takes his identity. He fights hard with the imposter and ultimately sends the 'fake' doppelgänger away and says his hook dialogue, ‘I am Groot.’
In the fourth episode we see that Groot is running inside the forest and mistakes a muddy puddle to be a river stream. He swims in that and relaxes himself by taking a bath and when he comes out, he sees lots of leaves have grown over his hands, legs and hair. Initially he feels scared but later he quite likes the foliage. But when his leafy hairs suddenly go away, he feels emotional. He tries to regrow them by constantly applying the mud paste. But each time he succeeds, it is only for a short time. They soon wither away and his attempts fail miserably.
In the final episode, we see that Groot wants to become an artist and is eager to draw a portrait featuring him and the Guardians in one frame. He collects scissors, soap, paper, bark leaves, and also some broken steel to create his artistic masterpiece. He tries a lot to make it beautiful but he fails quite badly at task. Meanwhile, Groot's friend Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) sees that a fire explosion and several things go wrong. He feels scared and asks Groot why he needed to do what he did. Groot doesn’t answer to him and makes a cute sad face. Then he presents him with a drawing wherein there’s Groot stands alongside the other Guardians. Looking at it makes Rocket feel really happy. He adds that this should be put on a wall. Groot feelshappy after being praised by his friend.
Overall, the series has shown us the story of Groot’s origin as a tree-seedling character who eventually becomes a superhero that saves people from evil as he grows bigger. There’s a blend of emotional and comic moments, alongside the brilliant direction by Kirsten Lepore, The cinematography and fabulous graphics and VFX effects used make for several jaw-dropping moments like Groot making his own tree house, fighting creatures to save himself, and trying to prove he is the 'real hero' when faced with an imposter. ‘I am Groot’ has presented a perfect amalgamation of fantasy, adventure, comedy, and drama.
‘I am Groot’ all episodes are available to stream on Disney +