We were hoping to have a nice time watching the very short animated series dedicated to Baby Groot, on Disney+. Unfortunately, the small scenes are soulless and the proposition doesn’t make much sense.
Guardians of the Galaxy clearly represent one of the best sagas of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: we have fun, there is good music, the films are well made (thanks James Gunn), the characters are endearing and there is a little ’emotion. And then, let it be said, we love Groot. This legged tree branch is adorable, especially since Baby Groot.
But what is there really to say about this character? This is what explores a series of 5 short films broadcast this Wednesday, August 10, 2022 on Disney +, responding to the name of My name is Groot (I Am Groot). For a few minutes, in each episode, we follow the misadventures of Groot.
What to have a good time in front of funny and cute scenes? Unfortunately, this is not the case, so I Am Groot is soulless. Which is pretty sad for an animated series — even unpretentious.
If inanity had a name
The Marvel series has not been the subject of very intense promotion and we understand why: it is very anecdotal. Worse, she does not even manage to deliver a proposal worthy of the name as the inanity of the situations presented is boring after just a few minutes. I Am Groot does not say anything, contrary to what if which, even if many episodes were forgettable, delivered a minimum of narrative material.
The promise of the series centered on Groot is certainly not to immerse us in a great epic narrative – the whole thing lasts 20 minutes watch in hand. But, the scenes don’t even deliver funny or entertaining mini-stories. They are much less likeable than in the movies. For the first time, Baby Groot’s character doesn’t exude endearing cuteness, while his big kitten eyes and childish demeanor are heightened. Perhaps too much: out of context and without imaginative situations, it comes to a halt.
Fortunately, we can still salute the animation work of the artistic team behind the project. The design is impeccable and full of finesse in the details of the environment. Talent in animation, however, is not enough to save My name is Grootwhich seems to be the result of a commercial order more than a creative project around the character.
The verdict
We liked
- Very nice animation work
We liked less
- The episodes are irrelevant
- It’s not even cute or entertaining
My name is Groot is the most empty MCU series to date. It did not claim much, it is true, with a format of 20 minutes in total (about 5 minutes per short film), but we would have hoped for more than a commercial proposal. Because the result clearly lacks soul: the scenes are neither funny, nor cute, nor interesting. Only the very last episode (the one shown in the trailer) saves the whole thing a bit, as well as the artistic work provided by the animation teams.
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