Of all the bonds in the Avengers: Endgame.
However, the connection between the two is a bit uncertain. Are they friends? Are they partners in crime? Are they family? Can there even be a connection between the two when Groot is so different from the original Groot that Rocket knew? All these questions lead to the idea that there are ten solid reasons why Groot and Rocket are not actual friends.
Barrage Of Insults
When fans were first introduced to Rocket and Groot, it seemed to hard guess that they were friends at all. Cohorts? Maybe. Begrudging partners, on the other hand, seemed to be a far more apt descriptor.
No matter what Groot did, it was met with a callous insult from Rocket. Throughout the films, Rocket calls Groot stupid and constantly thinks less of him. He does seem to care for Groot, but to show it by belittling them is not the act of a real friend.
A Drummer's Own Beat
When the Guardians find their way into prison, Rocket takes no time at all to devise a plan for escape. Groot, as a giant, hulking tree, is an obvious part of the plan that Rocket concocts.
However, Groot fails to recognize any of Rocket's orders. Instead, he marches to his own beat and takes matters into his own branches, putting the plan in motion far earlier than Rocket anticipated. This certainly seems like a shortsighted act of someone who is not necessarily a friend.
Superiority Complex
One of the hallmarks of Rocket's character is that he is desperate to be the captain of the Guardians team. He always tries to wave his presumed superiority over his so-called "friends." He does not even make an exception for Groot.
If Rocket's main desire is to be the captain, no matter how arrogant he comes across, then how can he be a good friend to Groot? It seems like he'd rather be in command than in good spirits.
Groot's Identity?
Another reason why it seems like Groot and Rocket are not necessarily true friends is that it's hard to tell just what version of Groot is hanging out with Rocket at any given moment.
Maybe, maybe the original Groot was friends with Rocket. But can the same be said for the Groot that grows from the potted plant at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy? It's hard to be friends with someone whose identity is constantly in flux.
The Rudeness Of A Teenager
Many of the reasons for thinking that Rocket and Groot are not real friends stem from the bullying attitude of Rocket. However, there is also some blame on the part of Groot.
Take Infinity War, for example. At every turn in the major crossover film, Groot is being rude and disobeying the orders of his "parental" figures. He even goes so far as to mock them! That is not the behavior of a real friend.
Father Figure
Speaking of this concept of parenthood in the Guardians, it makes it seem like none of the Guardians can be a true friend of Groot. Not if they are too busy parenting and raising him, that is.
Director James Gunn even said that Groot's final word to Rocket, when he was snapped away by Thanos, was "Dad." It seems like their relationship might be more father and son than best friends.
Rocket's Pride
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, Rocket and Groot are apprehended by Yondu and the Ravagers. Obviously, this puts Groot, who exists in the form of a baby tree, in a great deal of danger. The Ravagers begin to toy with poor Groot!
Sadly, Rocket continues to needle with the egos of the Ravagers, belittling and insulting them, as is Rocket's nature. If he had just swallowed his pride and complied with the Ravagers, though, he might have been able to save Groot some humiliation and abuse. That's a sacrifice any real friend would have made.
The Muscle
Returning to the prison sequence in the first Guardians film, the Guardians are cataloged by the guards. When referring to Groot, they call him Rocket's personal muscle.
That doesn't mean that a creature cannot be friends with his bodyguard. However, it certainly calls into question the nature of their friendship. Groot may see Rocket as a friend, but Rocket may see him, at first, as a replaceable bit of security.
Difference In Demeanor
There are so many friendships that exist between people with wildly disparate dispositions. But the divide between Rocket and Groot might be so strong that they could never be true friends.
Groot is a gentle giant, with sweetness in his soul. Rocket, however, is a blustering ball of anger and aggression. They still somehow come into one another's orbit, but these personality differences seem to perpetually drive a wedge between them, preventing a real friendship.
Time Without Groot
Because of the massive time jump in Endgame, Rocket has spent more time as an Avenger in the canon of the MCU than he did as a Guardian. As such, he saw Groot die for a second time.
He also spent a lot more time without Groot the second time around. This time apart can change someone. He protects Groot with his body during the final battle of Endgame, but it's hard to deny that Rocket is different now. And it might be hard for him to rekindle a real friendship (if there ever was one) with Groot. Perhaps the third Guardians film will explore such an idea.
