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Rocket Is The Best Guardian, And Avengers 4 Can Prove It
Warning! SPOILERS for Avengers: Infinity War ahead!
Avengers: Infinity War only left a handful of heroes alive, and of those heroes, only one Guardian of the Galaxy – Rocket. With Gamora killed by Thanos and Star-Lord, Drax, Mantis, and even Groot blinked out of existence, only Thor’s best friend Rabbit remains, which means it’ll be up to him to work alongside the surviving Avengers to figure out if and how those who they’ve lost can be saved in Avengers 4. Fortunately, Rocket’s the best they could have asked for.
For some viewers, it may have seemed odd to leave the talking raccoon alive while more notable or important heroes fade away, but Rocket has come a long way since first joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As a character, he’s grown and changed in fundamental ways; and his abilities are unlike those of anyone else left standing after Infinity War.
Rocket is sure to have an important role to play in Avengers 4, allowing him to not only be a hero but prove just how far he’s come from being a gimmicky character who spouts funny lines.
ROCKET: TALKING RACCOON SHOULDN’T HAVE WORKED
Though now an essential member of the team, Rocket was almost not included in Guardians of the Galaxy over fears that audiences wouldn’t take a talking raccoon seriously. When your films have been built around strapping super-soldiers and playboy billionaires, it might be tough to sell movie-goers on a little furry mercenary. More often than not, talking animal characters are merely sidekicks or comedic relief, and while Rocket certainly veers into one of those categories, over the course of his three MCU appearances, the raccoon (who is not known by that clarifier) has proven himself to be so much more than a silly talking animal who builds bombs and cracks jokes.
As introduced, Rocket is a genetically enhanced creature who just so happens to resemble Earth’s raccoons who escaped those who had experimented on him and turned to a life of crime. He’s sarcastic and condescending and keeps everyone at a distance – even his only friend, the sentient tree creature, Groot. Together, these two take on any number of nefarious jobs from larceny to kidnapping, whatever comes with the highest reward. It was while on one of these jobs – a bounty for Peter Quill, put on him by Yondu for not delivering the Orb – that Rocket met the other Guardians; each of them broken and in pain, just like Rocket, and trying to escape the past.
Alongside Peter, Gamora, Drax, and of course Groot, Rocket not only saved the galaxy (twice) but learned to trust in others, build relationships with them, and eventually, open himself up to these new friends. It’s a messy process and one that leads to a lot of arguing and grief, but Rocket goes on a journey with the Guardians where he grows fundamentally as a character in a way hardly ever given to the funny talking animal – especially in a film that also stars live human actors. Each of the Guardians has these journeys, it’s true, but Rocket’s refusal to face his past is even greater than the others, making his eventual acceptance and then personal growth all the more significant.
WHO ROCKET IS AFTER THREE MOVIES
It takes two films for Rocket to grow from a petty criminal who hides his pain behind sarcasm into someone even close to resembling a hero. It takes being repeatedly disrespected and called names like “vermin” or “rodent” for Rocket to express how much it hurts him, sharing the pain he feels over his own creation and existence, shouting “I didn’t ask to be made!” It takes experiencing the kind gestures and sacrifices of the other Guardians – especially Groot and Yondu – for him to begin acting selflessly and stop keeping his friends at arm’s length. Rocket’s journey across the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films makes him more compassionate, more understanding, and eventually, a more heroic character.
Come Avengers: Infinity War, Rocket is displaying all those qualities and more when he agrees to aide in Thor’s quest to create a weapon strong enough to kill Thanos. Sure, he’s interested in any and all kinds of weaponry, but Rocket also recognizes how vital this mission is and accepts the responsibility of completing it, where an earlier iteration would have only looked to profit. It’s also notable that Thor assumes Rocket is the ship’s captain, suggesting that even the way he carries himself has changed to reflect a more mature and dedicated attitude. While on their way to Nidavellir, Rocket consoles Thor, showing a real concern for someone he’s only just met. But most of all, Rocket has become a father to the young Groot, setting an example and inspiring Groot to help in the creation of Stormbreaker and in the battle against Thanos.
Rocket has learned to love and trust his friends – his family – so deeply that to have them all taken away is the most tragic outcome possible. But from that tragedy, Rocket now has the opportunity to prove himself a true hero, doing everything in his power to save the ones he loves the most.
WHY ROCKET SURVIVED
Leaving only Rocket alive from the Guardians of the Galaxy is heartbreaking, but it may also be what gives the Avengers the advantage they need to save half of the universe. As Rocket himself put it, “Ain’t no thing like me ‘cept me!” (a proclamation that may explain his survival – he is the only one).
Thanks to his genetic augmentations, Rocket is incredibly smart, agile, strong, and durable. His senses and skills have been enhanced, making him an expert marksman, pilot, strategist, and engineer. His quick-thinking and brilliant plans have repeatedly helped the Guardians out of sticky situations and he’s capable of fighting off dozens of enemies all by himself (see: Rocket’s ambush of the Ravagers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2). On top of all that, Rocket’s enemies are sure to underestimate him due to his stature and appearance, giving him an element of surprise over just about anyone he faces.
Along with the skills and tactics Rocket can bring to battle, his unwavering determination to save his friends is sure to be key to the success of whatever rescue plan the Avengers undertake. Having gone from a lonely and selfish character who barely opened up to his only friend, to a member of a tight-knit family who is now responsible for raising a child, Rocket had the most to lose – and he lost it. While it’s true that most of those who survive Avengers: Infinity War are the original Avengers (leading to what we expect is a grand Phase 3 finale in Avengers 4), they are also the characters who’ve suffered and lost the most – and Rocket fits right in there alongside Tony Stark and Steve Rogers.
Rocket has only just found where he belongs and you better believe he’ll do everything in his power to get that back. Where Rocket goes next and what he does to save his family is the culmination of the journey he’s been on since he first escaped the Kyln with Peter, Gamora, Drax, and Groot. Rocket survives in the story not only because he brings abilities and ideas to the coming battle that no one else can, but because since having gained a family and a sense of duty to them and the galaxy, he still needs to prove just how far he’ll go save it all.
ROCKET’S ROLE IN AVENGERS 4
At this stage, it’s anyone’s guess as to what exactly will happen in Avengers 4. It’s assumed that most if not all of the characters who died when Thanos eradicated half of the universe’s population will return. How this happens might involve time travel, the Quantum Realm, or maybe even another Infinity Gauntlet (seeing as Thanos’ gauntlet is destroyed but Eitri still has the mold to make more), but it’s all still speculation at this point. Whatever it is the Avengers need to do, though, it’s sure to require every surviving hero to lend a hand – and Rocket is no exception.
As mentioned above, what Rocket brings to the table is an ability to make just about anything and use it in a plan that no one will see coming. And if Avengers 4 needs them to outsmart Thanos or hop through time or just somehow achieve the near impossible, Rocket is sure to have a role to play in that. Not to mention, Avengers: Infinity War sees a budding friendship form between Rocket and Thor, and Thor will almost certainly want to include Rabbit in whatever crazy idea gets hatched. Doctor Strange has already set the Avengers on a path where they can eventually win – Rocket’s on that path, too.
But more than anything, Rocket’s role come Avengers 4 needs to continue the arc he’s been on since the very beginning. After having witnessed the sacrifices people make to protect or save those that they love, it’s Rocket’s turn to make a sacrifice of his own. This doesn’t necessarily mean Rocket must die (he is expected to be in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after all) but Avengers 4 is sure to include a moment where Rocket must and will put the well-being of others before himself. Rocket has certainly done heroic and brave things before, even risking his life, but he has yet to put himself – and only himself – in harm’s way to save others.
In Avengers 4, Rocket needs to not only have his big moment to cement himself as a hero, but he needs to have a moment in where only he can help save the universe – and especially his family – to prove just how far he’s come.
KEY RELEASE DATES
Ant-Man & The Wasp release date: Jul 6, 2018
Captain Marvel release date: Mar 8, 2019
The Avengers 4 / Untitled Avengers Movie release date: May 3, 2019
Untitled Spider-Man: Homecoming Sequel release date: Jul 5, 2019
