‘I Am Groot’ Season 2 Review – Hard To Hate, Impossible To Love

Among the fray of Marvel’s vast, arguably confusing multiversal web is, at the moment, very little pure fun to be had. The films are more contested than they’ve ever been; fans are frustrated with the franchise, filing complaints of rushed projects and repetitive beats. The films still make plenty of money, and Kevin Feige certainly has a plan, but the feeling just isn’t the same anymore, at least for the most part. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was a potent exception, and a reminder this year that Marvel still has the potential for greatness.

Sure, James Gunn is a big reason why the Guardians movies are so good, and Guardians 3 was his last one before he jumped ship to DC, but the film will always be an example of Marvel’s inherent ability to entertain, regardless of the lineup. I Am Groot as a show, especially with this second season, is a kind of extension of that truth. Taking the success of Guardians (and the widespread love for Baby Groot) and setting up a simple, bit-based cartoon to capitalize on it, the show is hard to hate. Then again, that is the full extent of it.

It’s simply all been done before, and from the first episode that fact caps this season’s potential at a middle of the road median. That isn’t necessarily a knock to anyone involved, as the series is clearly alright with being just that; it is exactly as advertised. Cute? Very cute. Fun? Fun enough. Consistent with the Marvel Universe? Who cares!

Although not as good as Dug Days (and released before it), I Am Groot is almost identical to it. The main separation between the two, unfortunately, is substance. Dug Days works as a sequel to Up in a way; it rejoins with Carl and Dug in their daily lives. Dug chases squirrels from the backyard while Carl watches his antics from the back porch. When it comes to I Am Groot, that’s where it stops. But Dug Days also settles down and tackles Carl and Dug’s relationship in absence of Russell, Kevin, and obviously, Ellie. The series gets surprisingly tender, and rounds off its only season on a note of lighthearted emotion, promising you that Carl and Dug are doing just fine.

In disconnecting itself from the overarching Guardians story, focusing solely on the gags, and, as a bit of a side note, looking significantly cheaper, the show struggles to elicit anything beyond a chuckle. Season 1 was at least new, and the concept was more novel; even then, it didn’t quite merit a second season of repeated structures and done-in punchlines. It is difficult to criticize a show so meek as I Am Groot, but it’s also pointless to endlessly praise something that is hardly its own.

Perhaps I Am Groot could best serve as an “in” to Marvel content for children still in the cartoon phase, allowing them to become familiar with such extreme concepts and have some harmless fun with one of the most outlandish characters the universe has to offer. Either way, kids are gonna love it.

Diehard MCU fans should have plenty of fun too. From visual references to the films to the basic fact that it stars a fan favorite, there’s plenty here for them. Otherwise, the second season of this short-show won’t hold much appeal for the uninitiated. A potential third season could tie the Guardians in and maybe add a layer or two and we might have something interesting. For now, though, if you’re seeking a show in this ilk, watch Dug Days, or even some of the Pixar shorts, like For the Birds or Knick Knack. I Am Groot doesn’t do enough to demand the time.

I Am Groot is currently available to stream on Disney+.