Last Friday, Marvel Studios released the first trailer for I Am Groot, the upcoming animated series of shorts coming to Disney+ next month. Five episodes will be released on August 10, with five more expected to follow in the not too distant future. So, what are critics saying about the first batch of episodes?
Well, the Guardians of the Galaxy spinoff series has received widespread praise, and is being hailed as "pure perfection," "entertaining and family-friendly," and "surprisingly dark."
The five episodes, with credits, are only around 20 minutes in total, but there are lots of fun nods to this cosmic corner of the MCU and a surprise cameo in one of them. They're also genuinely very funny, and a great viewing experience for kids and older fans who fell in love with Baby Groot when he debuted in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Shorts have become a popular category on Disney+, with the recent Baymax! series also hailed as a must-watch (you can find our interview with Baymax himself, Scott Adsit, by clicking here). Hopefully, Marvel Studios has more shows like this planned over the next few years.
"There’s no guarding the galaxy from this mischievous toddler," reads the official synopsis. "So get ready as Baby Groot takes center stage in his very own series, exploring his glory days growing up - and getting into trouble - among the stars."
Vin Diesel, who plays Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, is the voice of Baby Groot. The writer/director is Kirsten Lepore, and the executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum and James Gunn.
I Am Groot is set to premiere on Disney+ on August 10, just one week before She-Hulk: Attorney at Law also debuts on the streaming service.
Check out the first reactions to I Am Groot below: