Marvel Zombies

The world of Marvel Animation’s “What If…?” takes a haunting turn with “Marvel Zombies,” released on Disney+ in September. Building on the look of zombies in the first season of “What If…?”, this new series goes into the depths of zombie story, giving a unique and interesting twist to the Marvel universe.

The series starts off with a team led by Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), Ironheart/Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), and Hawkeye/Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld). As they move through the curse, desperately looking for a solution, the three struggle to keep everything together and stay safe in the heat of the zombie apocalypse is intense, showing a strong sense of empathy from the audience. Britany Murphy said in her review, “With a lack of non-infected superheroes milling about, Kamala, Riri and Kate are doing the best they can.” However, that’s evidently easier said than done in a zombie apocalypse.

The stakes are high, but when a Quinjet crashes, the group’s hope for possible survivors and the right gear comes back. The discovery they make is a turning point, promising a possible solution to their difficulty, and leaving the audience hopeful for the group’s survival.

Directed by Byran Andrews with a story by Andrews and Zeb Wells, “Marvel Zombies” is a good show to the Marvel Animation collection. Murphy said, “The series has a lot going for it in terms of concept, but that doesn’t mean it’s all executed perfectly. Without getting into spoiler territory, Marvel Zombies hits a few missteps as the episodes progress, and it doesn’t remain as strong as the first episode throughout the rest.” However, it thankfully picks back up the more you watch the series.

Murphy admitted, “While there are some very cool character moments within the series, such as the fight between Blade and Ghost, I wanted the series to lean harder into the horror aspect, especially considering the series has a TV-MA rating. After watching the show, it’s clear that the rating stems from the zombie killing scenes peppered throughout, rather than anything particularly frightening. That said, the character moments and well-animated kills do not make up for the show’s underdeveloped story. Truly, Marvel Zombies only having four episodes is probably one of the most significant drawbacks the series has.”

Murphy continued, “At times, the episodes don’t allow for certain moments to breathe, while others are overtaken by comedic beats that felt unnecessary, particularly from episode two onward. Some of this stems from the series focusing on too many characters that seemed superfluous to the storyline. Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan does much of the show’s heavy lifting, and Vellani does a fantastic job voicing Kamala (not that there was ever any doubt based on her live-action performances as the character).” It was also enjoyable seeing characters interact on-screen that we might not see together elsewhere, especially in the form they take on, such as Todd Williams’ Blade as Moon Knight. IT was also great seeing Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie back in action.

Murphy said, “While Marvel Zombies does have some incredibly cool moments sprinkled throughout the series, it doesn’t make up for an undercooked story that likely would have benefited from a few more episodes or the same number of episodes with a longer runtime.” Even though it doesn’t reach the same level as past Marvel Animation shows like “X-Men ’97,” the series is worth watching for its fantastic animation (made by Stellar Creative Lab) and voice acting performances, especially released at the time Halloween was coming fast.

I enjoyed this series a lot. I think this show is made for those who are crazy over zombies and are thinking that a zombie apocalypse might happen, even though I don’t think it will. You should check this out if you have seen other MCU shows because I think everyone will like this. With the way it ended, I think they might make another season, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Tomorrow, we will look at another surprising sequel in “Disney Month 2025.”

Eyes of Wakanda

Aaron Halls started his review by saying, “Watching Marvel Studios Animation’s Eyes of Wakanda feels like receiving thoughtful, hand-crafted, post cards from a friend who has recently visited a location you admire.” Despite not the long visit to the land of Wakanda that the “Black Panther” films gave, this four-episode, half-hour mini-series gives a beautiful and amazing set of animated short stories. They are great snapshots that satisfy the wanting to revisit the familiar. The series, from showrunner Todd Harris, is an anthology that takes an unexpected approach to the story, which may surprise audiences but is nevertheless satisfying.

Instead of returning to familiar characters like T’Challa or Shuri, each episode of “Eyes of Wakanda,” released on Disney+ in August, follows members of the Hatut Zaraze, or the War Dogs, throughout the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The War Dogs are secret and elite agents of Wakanda, with a mission of retrieving artifacts of their nation that have been displaced around the world and beyond its borders. The first episode takes place in 1260 BC and follows Noni, voiced by Winnie Harlow, in Crete. Another is about B’Kai (Larry Herron) fighting in the Trojan War alongside Achilles (Adam Gold). The third follows Basha, voiced by Jacques Colimon, in 1400 AD China where his mission has unexpected consequences as he comes back to Wakanda. The final episode follows Tafar (Zeke Alton) and Kuda (Steve Toussaint) in 1896 AD where an apparently easy mission to get an object turns into one of great stakes.

Halls said, “There are multiple benefits to having relatively standalone episodes set throughout such a grand timeline. On one hand, it doesn’t rely on prior knowledge of the MCU to work – a rarity these days. If you’re someone who just wants to see the cool, afrofuturist technology of the Hatut Zaraze beautifully rendered with a painted style animation from Axis Animation, you’ll get that. At the same time, if you’re an MCU die hard, this is a show that has exciting pieces of information that expands the world of Wakanda and the overall universe. From costuming that looks tangible to stories that touch on real world issues – you can feel the same authenticity here that has been present in the entirety of the Black Panther series, so far. That should come as no real surprise though, as the series is produced by Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media.”

When you put all four episodes of “Eyes of Wakanda” together, they really do feel like a type of beautiful art pieces that you put in the foreground of the “Black Panther” realm you know and love. Halls said, “Far from just a filler until the third movie, this is a series with depth, fantastic animation, and fun stories that add incredibly cool elements to the entire MCU mythos.” If you’re a fan of Wakanda, this is a series you won’t want to miss.

For a series that only has four episodes, this should be an easy watch for any MCU fan, especially if you binge watch it. The animation is great, the stories are engaging, the action is intense, you will love it a lot. I recommend this show for everyone, especially the MCU fans. This is not one to miss, so check it out and enjoy.

Tomorrow I will be looking at a surprising sequel that I wasn’t expecting and was released this past summer in “Disney Month 2025.”

Ironheart

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) sees themselves having to reset, 2025 has seen a lot of new heroes be introduced to the fans. We’ve got a new Captain American, a New Avengers team in “Thunderbolts*,” and now a pretender to Tony Stark’s tech lab in the “Ironheart” miniseries, released on Disney+ in June.

Dominique Thorne plays Riri Williams, the young engineering genius last seen helping out in 2022’s “Wakanda Forever.” Victoria Luxford said in her review, “Her leftfield ideas saw her thrown out of the prestigious MIT, forcing her to return home to Chicago with an Iron-Man-inspired suit she designed in her luggage.”

Desperate to copy Tony Stark but missing his billionaire background, Riri falls in with a criminal gang led by The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos, a mysterious figure with a cloak powered by magic. At first thinking she was taking part in harmless crimes, Riri slowly realizes what she’s gotten into, and must use her intelligence to prevent more people dying.

The problem with anything new released by Marvel is thinking whether you need to have prior knowledge in order to understand what’s happening. Thankfully, “Ironheart” is a largely independent show that doesn’t require any research in superheroes to understand. Luxford described, “The story is Marvel’s take on Breaking Bad – a highly driven person with good intentions turns to crime, and soon finds themselves in too deep.”

Luxford continued, “This means Riri avoids the po-faced morality of many heroes and becomes something more complex, with echoes of Tony Stark in Iron Man 3.” Rather than heroism, she wants to build a suit due to the grief of losing her stepfather (LaRoyce Hawkins) and best friend Natalie (Lyric Ross). She suffers from panic attacks, paranoia and flashbacks. Everything is seen through a powerful performance by Thorne.

This is where the series overcomes some of the more predictable aspects of the story. Luxford said, “Yes, you can probably guess things will blow up in Riri’s face, but there’s a beating heart underneath the steel armour that makes those consequences much more compelling.” Series creator Chinaka Hodge gives every character a story, normally through a terrific soundtrack. We must have seen tech-building montages in previous films (“Tony Stark built stuff in a cave with a box of scraps”) but having Nina Simone’s Sinnerman playing in the background gives it a different feeling.

Luxford noted, “We still get the expected dose of Marvel-style action though, as the audience is treated to a couple of thrilling heists early on.” The Hood’s gang is an enjoyable band of loners, mainly former “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” winner Shea Couleé as hacker Slug and Sonia Denis’ explosives expert Clown.

In another area, Alden Ehrenreich is fun as a weapons supplier with a connection to the start of the MCU. Then we have Ramos as The Hood. Luxford said, “Yes, his cloak is more than a little dramatic but beneath it, he’s a man possessed by the allure of power with the source of his magic explained in a jaw-dropping final episode reveal.”

In the end, “Ironheart” is a welcoming new antihero, with enough passion and arrogance to overcome the more predictable elements of the story. Some excellent cliffhangers mean there’s got to be more to come from this hurt genius, and that’s not a bad thing.

Williams did a great job in this role. She was believable as someone who is still going through grief and is mourning her loss, so Riri is a relatable character. I don’t like that before this show was released it was review-bombed because of the prejudice comments about having females, people of color, or LGBTQIA+ people in the lead roles. That’s just wrong because these people don’t believe in Equal Opportunities, which is not given equal rights to everyone, regardless of who they are. Still, I think this is a good show to watch, especially since this is the finale of MCU’s Phase Five. Check it out and enjoy.

Stay tuned later for my yearly Christmas review.

Daredevil: Born Again

There are a lot of mirror images in “Daredevil: Born Again,” a 2025 reboot of the three-season show, which was on Netflix between 2015 and 2018. Mini Anthikad Chhibber said in her review, “The reflections serve as visual cues to the dual nature of the principals, who are the same, yet radically different from each other. One is a lawyer and a vigilante, the other is a crime boss who wants to run straight and has a visceral dislike for vigilantes.”

The first episode introduces the main characters in the drama while setting them on a collision course. Some time has passed since the events of season 3 of “Daredevil” and “Daredevil: Born Again” opens. A brutal tragedy with Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) finds the blind lawyer, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), giving up his vigilante part of him, Daredevil. A year later, Matt is busy with his law firm, which he runs with his new partner, Kirsten (Nikki M. James) and retired police officer, Cherry (Clark Johnson). He is dating Heather, played by Margarita Levieva, a famous writer and therapist.

The mob boss, Wilson Fisk, reprised by Vincent D’Onofrio, goes high in his law-abiding incarnation when he runs for and wins the mayoral elections in New York City. Sheila, played Zabryna Guevara, his campaign manager, prefers he go slow, but he wants to change things immediately. Buck (Arty Froushan) is Fisk’s 2IC and Daniel (Michael Gandolfini) believes completely in Fisk’s special version of Kool-Aid to the point that Fisk adopts him as his pupil.

Fisk’s wife, Vanessa, played by Ayelet Zurer, who was taking care of his criminal empire when he was away and grew it significantly, is unsure of how to feel at his return and his decision to walk the straight and narrow. Chhibber said, “Needing to provide a united front, the Fisks try therapy with Heather. New media in the form of BB (Genneya Walton) dogs the Mayor and sundry vigilantes’ footsteps.”

Despite both Murdock and Fisk are trying to leave their past lives behind, circumstances will not allow them to do so. Hector Ayala’s, played by Kamar de los Reyes, fate finds Murdock contemplating the justice system, while a new threat, a serial killer who calls himself the Muse and paints extraordinary graffiti using his victims’ blood, holds the city at rescue. Murdock and Fisk react to the threat in different ways – Fisk by setting up a task force of bad cops with unlimited authority, and Matt with Daredevil.

Chhibber said, “There was some move to Marvel-ise Daredevil, by making it lighter in tone, but following a creative overhaul during the 2024 Hollywood strikes, the darker, grittier tone was reincorporated with the return of Punisher (Jon Bernthal). The action is physical and you practically feel the thwacks and the burbling blood.” The production design incorporates the city of New York as a character. With Fisk returning, Murdock and others, including Karen (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy (Elden Henson) from the original series gives a feel of continuity, the introduction of new characters gives first-time viewers’ engagement.

Chhibber said, “D’Onofrio imbues his larger-than-life Fisk with ambition, and heartache in equal measure, especially in his dealings with Vanessa, while Cox finds the sweet spot between strength and vulnerability in Murdock.” “Daredevil: Born Again” gives a complete baggage with mystery, heartbreak, an evil murderer on the loose, thrills, a bank robbery where Yusuf Khan, reprised by Mohan Kapur, Kamala’s father from “Ms. Marvel” makes a cameo appearance, intense violence, and an almost Shakespearean character study.

If you have or have not seen the Netflix “Daredevil” series, you can still see this Disney+ series no problem. I think everyone should see this because this is one of the darker, edgier shows from the MCU. D’Onofrio’s performance as Fisk is amazing as always. He is really believable and threatening. As always, Daredevil is amazing and the action scenes, even though there are not that many, is great. The serious moments are engaging, and the show does not drag at any moment or feel slow. Check this out and be prepared for when the second season gets released.

Tomorrow I will be looking at another remake that is one of the worst decisions ever made by the company in “Disney Month 2025.”

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Peter Parker is back in a new Marvel animated series, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” which was released on Disney+ at the beginning of the year.

The show follows Peter Parker, voiced by Hudson Thames, as he goes through teenage life and incredible new powers. It’s not easy being a teenager. If it’s not a problem with your home life, it’s a problem with your crush. Most of the times, it’s all of those, so imagine having superpowers in that category. It really sends someone on a whirlwind. “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” explores these areas throughout the show, making Peter’s difficulties feel relatable and real.

The series nicely explores Peter Parker’s original by mixing the familiarity of the spider bite while adding a new introduction for audiences to how the spider is encountered. Britany Murphy said in her review, “I don’t want to reveal too much about the show’s events because the series is very much the type where you want to know as little as possible.” Be prepared for a lot of surprises that happen along the way, adding an element of scheming and excitement to the viewing experience. These surprises will keep you itching to see more, wanting to see what’s next.

One of the most amazing parts of “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” is the relationships between the characters. The bond between Peter and Aunt Mary, voiced by Kari Wahlgren, is essential in the Spider-Man story, and it’s just as important in this series. Wahlgren’s portrayal of May is exceptional, displaying a warmth and care for Peter in every scene that will make you feel at ease, which is exactly what you’d expect from the beloved Aunt May character.

Along with that, Peter’s friends are perfect. Grace Song is the highlight as Peter’s classmate and friend, Nico Minoru. Not afraid of telling her best friend how she feels, Nico is Peter’s perfect companion, especially when he doubts himself. The series does a great job of developing her character, showing her growth and the evolution of her relationship with Peter. Peter also finds an unexpected friend in high school football player Lonnie Lincoln. Voiced by Eugene Byrd, Lonnie is popular at school and on the football field, but he deals with a lot in his personal life and keeps secrets from family (Matte Martinez), just like Peter. Finally, we have Harry Osborn, voiced by Zeno Robinson. A home-schooled genius, Harry is happy when he meets some new friends his age, and he is a perfect addition to the friend group – even if there is a little jealousy between him and Nico. However, it’s nothing a personal talk can’t fix.

In “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” Norman Osborn, voiced by Colman Domingo, is interested in how smart Peter sees. Osborn see parts of himself in Peter – a young, scientific genius on the edge of the next breakthrough. Murphy said, “Look, I could listen to Colman Domingo read random words and their meanings from the dictionary. He is no stranger to voice acting, having used his voice talents for Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken and BoJack Horseman (amongst others). With his commanding presence and calm, collected nature, Domingo is pitch-perfect as Osborn.”

Series creator and showrunner Jeff Trammell does an excellent job showing Peter and his friends’ pros and cons. Murphy credited, “Each character experiences struggles and tries to navigate them, but the series never feels overstuffed, a testament to Trammell’s excellent storytelling and vision. While the series perfectly pairs nostalgia and newness, the risks it takes throughout will have viewers on the edge of their seats. As previously mentioned, there are many surprises along the way, and watching the multiple webs weave as the story progresses made for some of my favourite moments from the Marvel Animation shows thus far.”

The animation in “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” is a visual delight, bringing the pages of a comic book to life on the TV. Murphy credited, “The vibrant colours, dynamic action sequences, and attention to detail make it a must-see for animation enthusiasts. The animation, especially during the action sequences, is not just a treat, but a visual feast that will keep you engaged and excited.” Despite the style may not be for everyone, it works well with the story and adds some nostalgic comic book flicker that sets it apart from the other Marvel Animation series released so far.

Murphy said, “Coupling cool animation, fun action sequences, and great characters with a solid story, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is an exciting animated adaptation everyone can enjoy.” Including a new look on the famous superhero, the series is an exciting new look to everything Peter Parker.

We have not seen an animated Spider-Man show in years and this is a great show. If you haven’t seen it, you should see this on Disney+. If you’re a Spider-Man fan and you have liked all the Spider-Man animated shows, then you should see this one. It is not one to be missed so check it out, I promise you will really get into this show. The second season is set to be released late next year and a third season is in development. I would be happy if this show lasted for a while because this has potential for lasting for a while. The animation, like with the Spider-Verse movies, is great, especially with the Spidey Senses, the web-slinging, action scenes, and all around is top notch. One of the best shows in the MCU.

Tomorrow we will be looking at a more serious MCU show in “Disney Month 2025.”

What If...? Season 3

Matthew Simpson started his review by praising, “What If…?, the long-running Marvel comic book series, is one of the most fun titles in the company’s entire repertoire. Each issue places one of their characters in some new context, either by examining a different pivotal choice they could have made or by shifting them into another universe entirely.” The Disney+ adaptation from Marvel Animation, with the third season in 2024, continues this storytelling style with your favorite characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, giving multiverse issues with mixed – but mostly fun – results.

Simpson said, “As with the comics, each episode takes heroes we already know and places them in a new situation and, as in previous seasons, the characters are (mostly) voiced by the actors that play them in the live action movies and series, too.” That means when Captain America is there, it’s actually Anthony Mackie voicing him, and same with The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Binary (Teyonah Parris), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and even Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg). Each story is narrated and looked over by The Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, an all-seeing cosmic being.

Simpson said, “In the episodes Disney+ provided for review, we see a future team of Avengers fighting a kaiju version of The Hulk in giant robots that form together like Voltron or the Power Rangers’ Zords.” In another, we see Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) as she stars in a 1940s musical along with the Eternal Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), all as a trick to cast a spell. In another episode, Red Guardian and The Winter Soldier go on a buddy journey and, in the third, newlyweds Howard the Duck (Seth Green) and Darcy (Kat Dennings) go on an intergalactic cruise and end up pursued by different bad guy groups from the first three phases.

Simpson noted, “As with previous seasons of the show–and with any anthology series–your milage with each episode may vary. In these particular episodes a connecting plot has yet to emerge, but this critic holds that as a good thing. These stories are at their most fun when they are a one-off, both self-contained and weird. In fact, if there is a complaint to be made about the show, it’s that it often doesn’t get weird enough, although episode four makes up for this a little bit by going completely overboard (in a good way).”

Another small complaint is that some of this season’s episodes may be a little unapproachable to the more casual fans of the franchise. One, particularly, has a prologue that is several minutes of Jeffrey Wright elaborating a whole new universe before anyone else even has a chance to speak, which is a lot when each episode is less than half-an-hour long. Still, for those in the audience who are fans of the MCU lore, this series may well end up tricking like it was made specifically for them, showing them versions of characters, they’ve wanted to see, in styles and tones they’ve wanted to see Marvel try.

Simpson said, “It’s hard to ignore that there is a real sense among audiences of both Marvel Fatigue and multiverse fatigue. While this series is not likely to fix the former for anyone, the series is exactly the kind of thing that makes multiversal storytelling so potentially fun.”

The end result here is that if you have liked “What If…?” up to now, you will definitely continue to do so. If you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, nothing here will turn you away and you might even hope to see some of the versions of these characters again. If you’re not already a fan, this series may not be the best entry one, but luckily there’s something to love for all of us who are.

For the final season of “What If…?”, I think this is another good one. If you have been a fan of the series so far, check this one out on Disney+. You will love it, especially since this is an easy watch. Every episode falls under the half-hour mark, so you can watch this no problem at all. You got to love the different scenarios the characters are put into. Check it out and enjoy yourselves.

Tomorrow I will be looking at another “Star Wars” show in “Disney Month 2025.”

Thunderbolts*

Tonight, on Disney+, I watched “Thunderbolts*,” which came out theatrically in May but today on Disney+. This apparently was the film that made people get back into the MCU again. Is it really deserving of all the praises it got when it came out?

Is it really possible, after 36 films, to do something new and interesting in the MCU?

How about a hilarious and action-packed look into depression, isolation, self-worth, mental health, and conquering the wounds that deeply cut our insides?

Matt Neal said in his review, “It's not totally new - at some point there will be punching and explosions - but the latest MCU team-up goes out of its way to do the unexpected, and not rely on the superhero subgenre's touchstones as much as its predecessors.”

The film is about an unlikely variety of heroes brought together for a mission that isn’t what it looks like. Something else that’s unexpected is Bob, played by Bill Pullman’s son, Lewis Pullman, a strange man they meet along the way.

Neal said, “It's not a new approach - the grab-bag roster of loser-heroes is basically Marvel-does-Suicide Squad or another take on the cosmic underdog team-up that was Guardians Of The Galaxy. The only difference here is the subtext. Thematically, this is about mental health and what we all have to do to get through the day, ignoring our darkness and shame along the way. It's not your standard superhero fare.”

It’s also a relief that the film does its best to avoid all the violence as much as it can, and still give us a relatable story with tension and drama. Neal said, “The narrative is so wonderfully entrenched in its character arcs and their excess baggage that even though the finale is wildly different to any other Marvel movie, it works.”

Neal continued, “For the hardcore Marvel-heads, this is a strong next chapter for some of the franchise's more interesting B characters.” The new Black Widow Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, is the protagonist, and in top shape. She is the film’s main depressed person, but is helped by an equally torn one-time Captain America, John Walker, played by Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn’s son, Wyatt Russell. Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) is again given the short end of the stick and is a little more than her superpower, but Red Guardian (David Harbour) is a very welcome addition to the group.

Neal credited, “But the real stand-out is Bob (Pullman), who digs deep to give his character plenty of layers, bringing to life one of Marvel's most mercurial and mysterious yet maligned players in a fantastic way.” Credit to the script from Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, who make everything work, but Pullman is perfectly cast in an unexpected role.

It goes without saying that so many people must have seen all of the MCU films up to this point, especially when looking at the box office numbers, but this film is the most inventive and interesting Marvel film in a while. This is one of the most thematically interesting films of the franchise, if not the most interesting. We also have Sebastian Stan back as Bucky Barnes and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

Spoiler alert: there is a hilarious mid-credit scene with Red Guardian at the grocery store cereal aisle. The post-credits scene takes place 14 months later. The Thunderbolts are discussing the issues they’re having with Same Wilson while noticing the ongoing problem in outer space. They get interrupted when the Watchtower says of an arrival of an alien spacecraft that has a “4” on the side. That might have built-up to the “Fantastic Four” movie that came out earlier this month.

This is one of the entertaining MCU films we have had in a while. There are definitely the right comedic moments at the right time, especially considering this is a group of misfits, and everyone is not wrong when they say this is MCU’s version of “Suicide Squad.” On top of being entertaining, there is some relatable moments about depression and anxiety that will hit a lot of people. If you missed the chance to see this in the theaters, you should see this on Disney+. As the last film in Phase Five, they did a good job at ending that phase.

Thank you for joining in on this review tonight. Stay tuned this Friday for the conclusion of “Michael Douglas Month.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Today, my brother and I went and saw “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which came out a few weeks ago. This is apparently one of the Marvel movies that everyone is loving. Are they speaking the truth or not? Will this be the “Fantastic Four” movie that “finally” everyone will love?

There are two movies fighting for our attention during the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film – and one works so well it makes up for the mistakes in the other.

This film, which is the start of Phase Six, introduces a group of characters new to the MCU: The Fantastic Four, a group of astronauts and scientists sometimes called “Marvel’s First Family.” As the quick retro-TV documentary at the movie’s start explains, the intelligent Dr. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) led a space mission with his best friend, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), his wife, Susan Storm Richards (Vanessa Kirby), and Sue’s brother, Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn).

That mission hit a cosmic storm, and the radiation gave every one of them incredible powers. Sean Means stated in his review, “Reed can stretch and contort his body like rubber.” Ben has turned into a super-strong rock creature. Sue can turn invisible when she wants and manipulate powerful force fields. Finally, Johnny lights up into a fire being who can fly.

On this parallel universe of Earth, called Earth-828 (the MCU mostly has taken place in Earth-616), the four aren’t just superheroes but really famous. Means mentions, “One of the best throwaway gags comes when Johnny opens a box of Lucky Charms and finds his own miniature action figure inside. It’s a retro-future kind of world, where women dress like Jackie Kennedy in the ‘60s, Johnny records space transmissions on gold-colored vinyl LPs, and the “Fantastic Car” looks like a Hot Wheels car from the days of tail fins.”

Director Matt Shakman clearly knows what he’s doing here on Earth-828, which isn’t surprising for the man who was in charge of “WandaVision.” Means said, “Production designer Kasra Farahani and crew create a “Jetsons”-style futuristic style that permeates everything from the New York skyline to the Fantastic 4’s living room. The look is reminiscent of Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” and a group of movie geeks could stay up all night debating who influenced who.” (One supervillain, an underground ace called Mole Man and played by Paul Walter Hauser (Stingray from “Cobra Kai”), resembles The Underminer from “The Incredibles.”)

Means noted, “Shakman makes us and his cast so at home in this world that we don’t mind so much that the story is a patchwork affair.” The script is written by four people – Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, and the less-famous team of Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, with Pearson, Kaplan, and Springer sharing story credit with Kat Wood – and the layers sometimes show.

At the start of the film, Sue tells Reed that she’s pregnant, after two years of trying. Any family celebration of this blessing is cut short when an alien arrives, a silver figure on a spiritual surfboard. The Silver Surfer, played in motion capture by Julia Garner, tells the people that Earth has been chosen to be destroyed by a planet-murdering being known as Galactus (Ralph Ineson). The Fantastic Four promise that they will do something, though the exceptionally bright Reed isn’t sure what, to stop Galactus.

Means said, “Shakman stages some action scenes of varying quality — a mid-movie outer-space chase as Sue goes into zero-gravity labor is the most frenetic — and more use of the word “family” than any script this side of a “Fast and the Furious” movie.” In the end, Shakman clearly is having more fun building this environment than capturing the emotional lives of the superpowered humans who are trying to keep it from being destroyed.

Even though this is the first time the Fantastic Four has been in the MCU, it’s not the first time they’ve been in the movies. There was the low-budget Roger Corman adaptation in the 90s which I have not seen because, I believe, it was unreleased. There were two not bad movies, in 2005 and 2007, with Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis as the protagonists. (That one was referenced in “Deadpool and Wolverine.”) Finally, there was the disaster 2015 version, with Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell. Means said, “This one, unlike those others, manages to gauge accurately how seriously we’re supposed to take all this, which is maybe 40 percent.”

Means continued, “The results are a lot more entertaining and eye-catching than some recent Marvel movies. Maybe because Marvel is starting fresh with these superheroes, and giving them a self-contained story that doesn’t rely on knowledge of 14 other characters presented in nine previous movies and TV shows.” (Spoilers: there’s a mid-credits scene that teases an upcoming supervillain, but that’s almost required in Marvel movies currently.) “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is likable on its own, and a sign that Marvel is coming back after the films that people have not been enjoying after “Avengers: Endgame.”

There was a minor issue at the theater where the film didn’t start showing previews once the showtime started. I don’t know why that was, but I went out to the concession stand to let someone know before they started it. I don’t know why I was feeling tired at one point, but I feel like I zoned out during the first fight scene with Galactus. Still, this was a great movie, the best “Fantastic Four” movie ever made. Everyone should go to the theater to see this because this will make you start liking the MCU again. The slow moments felt really nice for character building, we get to know the characters, the actors played their parts well, there were some nice humanizing and emotional moments, the writing was good, and the action scenes were engaging. This is another one of my favorite comic book movies.

Thank you for joining in on this review tonight. Stay tuned this Friday for the continuation of “Michael Douglas Month.”

Captain America: Brave New World

Tonight, on Disney+, I watched “Captain America: Brave New World,” which was released in theaters on Valentine’s Day and today was released on Disney+. Now, I will let everyone know what I thought of this latest installment in the MCU.

Jeffrey M. Anderson started his review by saying, “After some thirty-odd movies and more TV shows than I can remember, we finally have our third MCU movie directed by a person of color and starring a person of color. And yet, in this bizarro Trumpian world, rather than being celebrated, Captain America: Brave New World is being trounced (much like Kendrick Lamar's spellbinding Super Bowl Halftime show). Certainly this new movie is no Black Panther. It has its flaws. It tries a little too hard to get things moving in the first act, and it does feel fairly slight overall, a Minor Marvel.” However, for the majority of its runtime, it flies, mostly thanks to Anthony Mackie’s strong presence.

Following “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Sam Wilson, reprised by Mackie, has made the difficult decision to become the next Captain America. (Anderson noted, “The series explored complex issues of Blackness and racism that are largely ignored here.”) However, it was a good choice. Watching him attack villains using his wings and shield as graceful arsenal is always amazing. Unlike Steve Rogers, Sam doesn’t have any superpowers, and his humanity is part of his charm.

Sam has been sent on a mission to retrieve a mysterious canister, which he does, however something about the mission doesn’t seem right. After that, he’s invited to the White House, where President Ross, played by Harrison Ford (taking over the role of “Thunderbolt” from the late William Hurt), is going to make an announcement. (Ford returns to the White House for the first time since “Air Force One.”) Same brings his new partner, the supposed next Falcon Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), and their tough super-soldier trainer, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly). Isaiah has a rancor after having been imprisoned and experimented on for decades, and has no love for Ross, but goes anyway (Anderson described, “the movie's most irritating first-act nitpick”).

Suddenly, Isaiah tries to shoot the president, but after a chase, seems to have no memory of what he did. He goes to prison Sam promises to find out what happened. There are several other incidents of being mind-control, as President Ross tries to dispute a treaty with Japan and several other countries, and the talks – which had previously been going well – begin to break down.

The diverse cast also includes the fascinating, lovely Shira Haas as the president’s security advisor, and an awesome Black Widow. Xosha Roquemore plays a Black, female Secret Service agent. Giancarlo Esposito plays a sneaky, evil person called Sidewinder (Anderson said, “who, I suspect, we might see again someday”). Finally, Takehiro Hira plays the Japanese Prime Minister. The movie keeps the Big Bad a secret for a while, who is played by Tim Blake Nelson.

Anderson said, “The director is Nigerian-born Julius Onah, whose previous features The Cloverfield Paradox and Luce wouldn't suggest an artist ready for the Marvel Universe, especially given that the former was a muddled mess and the latter was talky and static.” However, he steps it up, giving “Captain America: Brave New World” with a beautiful flexibility, especially in the flying scenes. The Red Hulk parts, while short, is gripping and intense, especially when a damaged Sam is helped out from under a pile of rubble and finds the being still standing. He knows he has nothing left.

Anderson said, “Frankly, it's Mackie that makes all this work for me.” He’s an incredibly adaptable actor, tough but funny and very helpless when it counts. He plays well with his cast member, creating a great camaraderie when it’s right, but also tension when it matters. Anderson said, “He ranks near Paul Rudd's Ant-Man as perhaps one of the most lovable of the Marvel heroes, guys who are more or less reliant on a suit and their wits. Maybe it's appropriate that Mackie's first Cap movie is a bit jerry-rigged and imperfect.” While the shield itself may be perfectly made and balanced, the same can’t really be said for this movie, but it’s messy and human and it has a big heart, perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Spoiler alert: the post-credits scene shows Sam visiting the protagonist in his maximum-security cell who warns Sam about another threat approaching.

I know that this film is not one of the best MCU movies, but I still think it is one of the good ones. We have Sebastain Stan and Liv Tyler make quick cameos, and I found myself getting into this film. There were some edge-of-your-seat, gripping moments, and some dramatic moments that make you want to know what might happen. I liked the action, of course, and Mackie really does amazing in this role. Ford does a good job as the replacement for Ross. Check this out on Disney+ and see if you agree with this review or not. As always, judge it based on your own thoughts.

Thank you for reading this blog tonight. Stay tuned this Friday for the finale of “Greek Mythology Month.”

Agatha All Along

Jared Mobarak started his review by admitting, “I wasn’t sure what to expect from AGATHA ALL ALONG since I was pretty lukewarm on WANDAVISION while so many others loved it. I thought that series started off strong before discovering it didn’t really have anywhere to go. Not because the grief angle wasn’t good, but because it lost its visual and cinematic intrigue the moment the veil was pierced. What felt fresh and unique suddenly devolved into the same old explosive MCU nonsense sans true emotional stakes (until the theatrics finally finished to allow the characters to feel them).”

Creator Jac Schaeffer must have felt the same because she’s fixed this mistake. Rather than give up halfway through, she hides that there’s a game being played. Not completely, obviously. This is about Agatha Harkness, reprised by Kathryn Hahn. There is something going on. This question is whether another game is being played. If so, what is in control. Because we know from the first time the “Witches’ Road” is said that something is going on. Agatha being the only one who knows how to get there and the only one to survive just seems too convenient. Everywhere are lies.

Mobarak said, “As a result, we’re forced to take it all at face value with skepticism. We’re forced to assume what we’re seeing is real. The actions are the cause of chaos and drama, not the machine itself.” Rather than give one-woman complete power (Wanda), Schaeffer gives the entire cast equal amount. Yes, they all don’t grieve the death of a loved one, but they do all grieve. The past. Lost power. Declining purpose. Agency. That’s what the road is about. It’s a series of trials that are magic filled into existence so those who survive can earn their wish. However, unlike Wanda, the only people who are at risk here are the ones traveling the road.

Mobarak noted, “That’s what I really loved about the show because it inherently means that earning their wish won’t always be accomplished via a happily ever after. The road doesn’t just give through addition. It also heals through subtraction. It supplies the opportunity to prove who these witches are by ensuring they learn what they seek was never truly gone. You live that long with the easy button and you forget power isn’t found in magic alone.” They might ridicule when “Teen,” played by Joe Locke (who is something that won’t let the witches know who he really is because of his sigil) thinks “analog magic,” but getting back to their roots is exactly what’s needed.

He's the entry – even after discovering who he is changes everything. Agatha is the villain even though she is the anti-hero protagonist. The latter is important because we do need to respect that she’s a murderer. This show isn’t about recovery from her, it’s about understanding how evil she is. Yes, she isn’t as intentionally bad as Rio, played by Audrey Plaza, but the sarcasm and rebound only hide the fact she will kill whoever she must to get her “purple” back. Mobarak said, “The maternalism she shows “Teen” is thus drawn to be as potentially authentic as it is presumably a trick. Rumor does say she traded her own son for the Darkhold.”

Hahn is unsurprisingly great in the role and her banter with Locke carries the series by walking the line between cooperative and dependent. Mobarak admitted, “That said, though, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the supporting cast really steals this thing.” While Agatha and “Teen’s” story go on for the nine episodes, Jen (Sasheer Zamata), Lilia (Patti LuPone), and Alice (Ali Ahn) are given must more time and limited revelations. LuPone is at her best with the episode “Death’s Hand in Mine” proving the explicit highlight in writing, structure, emotion, and stakes. Debra Jo Rupp is in a smaller comic relief role and it’s impossible not to be taken by this temporary coven.

Mobarak compared, “It leans heavily on the main WIZARD OF OZ trope that filters through a ton of media (shades of LABYRINTH and even THE USUAL SUSPECTS populate the climactic reveal as a result) for good reason considering the physical journey we see is also a psychological battle for each respective participant. The special effects work is solid, the “Witches’ Road” song is perhaps the first Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez piece that I actually like, and the humor is on point from the opening “credits” (based on the Danish series Wandavisdysen).” Despite this finally ending like most MCU stuff with a look of what’s next, “Agatha All Along,” released in September, effectively accomplishes its own mysteries with definitive resolution too.

I really liked the show because it did something it’s not known for and did a good job on. This is one of MCU’s darker stuff and it was very well done, despite them being famous for their lighter and more comical material. The production value was great, it was funny, and the cast, especially Hahn, Locke, LuPone, Plaza, were really good in their roles. If anyone is into the more dark, gritty take on Marvel, check this out if you have a Disney+. You will get into this show; I can assure you that.

Alright everyone, look out tomorrow where I will look at the latest sequel in the finale to “Disney Month 2024.”

Echo

As the first series under Marvel Studios’ new Spotlight banner, there’s a lot going on “Echo,” the series that was released at the beginning of the year. Paul Klein said in his review, “Not only is the series hoping to herald a new era of darker, more mature stories for Marvel but also looks to bring attention to a lesser known character from the comic books.”

Having made her debut in the surprising show “Hawkeye,” Maya Lopez aka Echo (Alaqua Cox) gets her own series where she looks to fight against powerful crime boss Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio).

Klein mentioned, “The first two episodes, directed by Sydney Freeland, set out the table early doors. This is going to be a grounded story, more inline with what audiences of the Netflix series got – which helps given there's a hefty dose of Daredevil lore in it.” This is also a story about disability with Maya being both handicap with an amputated let and deaf, along with dealing with Native American culture. The cast are a large number of Native actors, including veteran Academy Award nominee Graham Greene.

The cast are great, especially Greene and Tantoo Cardinal as Lopez’s grandparents. Giving a type of cultural warmth that feels both specific and universal. While Cody Lightning as Maya’s cousin Biscuits is here to give comic relief.

The most interesting aspect that is explored is the history of the Choctaw and their connection to Maya. The first episode sets up a lot, going through the history of Maya and her connection to Fisk and the second gives an opening where the Choctaw take part in a sporting event in the early 1200s that has viewers wanting to watch a historical epic about those people. Klein said, “All of this is to say that the series grounded take pays off many fold when action becomes central.”

The slow building crime war gives plenty for Cox to do, and she carries the show with her serious performance as Lopez. She controls the scenes even when acting with someone as impressive as D’Onofrio, and gives a look into the emotional connection she has with her estranged cousin Bonnie, played by Devery Jacobs.

Klein mentioned, “The action is slick and brutal, a punch-up with another costumed hero and some thugs is particularly good, giving a feeling of pain and space, and Cox is more than prepared for the role. But it's the shows quieter moments where she peels back the layers of Lopez' isolation, how she can't connect to her own family, not because of language but because of pain.”

This is where the series looks like it’s strongest, looking at what it means to be someone who is isolated, who has disconnected with both family chosen and blood family and despite the superhero necessities, the series looks to continue forth looking at what a Native Woman with disabilities means in the modern world. It’s a fantastic start to a new chapter.

This show looked like it was bringing the MCU back on track to what made it so lovable to fans. If you haven’t seen this, see it on Disney+ because you will really get into this show. This is one of the best shows the MCU has put out and I’m looking forward to if they make another season or bring Echo into the films.

Tomorrow I will be looking at a Star Wars show in “Disney Month 2024.”

What If...? Season 2

Many Marvel fans have said that 2023 was not a good year for the studio, one that used to be the biggest box-office driver in Hollywood. After so many bad movies, as well as some really decent movies that people overlooked, the studio looked like it finally got back on track with what is easily the best installment of Phase Five at the time. The standards haven’t been that high by the Multiverse Saga, but “What If…?” Season 2, which came out at the end of 2023, manages to help out and be the main driver amongst the movies and shows that have cost the studio so much money without giving much return.

This new entry into Marvel’s Disney+ television series is not in any way going to save the MCU from falling, but it may be the first sign that it will get them back on track. Hands down, Season 2 capitalizes on “What If…?’s” amazing idea in so many satisfying ways that its first season. For those not familiar, the series, narrated by the almighty being called The Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, takes viewers through different timelines to look at what might have happened if certain events throughout the MCU happened differently.

Throughout the series’ first nine episodes, many fans felt the writers were being held down with stories they could change. Many of the episodes were weak compared to the possible of the series’ idea. The only real highlight was Episode 3, “What If…Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands.” Ethan Dayton said in his review, “The episode was emotionally poignant, offered a vastly different look at a character fans knew and loved (unlike Party Thor…), and had real consequences hinting toward more significant MCU stories.”

Despite there not a certain episode in Season 2 that reaches the same level by Strange Supreme, a few episodes come close, including an emotional one that sets up a completely original character with major potential for a live-action movie. Episode 6, “What If…Kahhori Reshaped the World?” is about Kahhori, a Native woman, voiced by Devery Jacobs, as she “ventures into the waters of the Forbidden Lake to help save her people.” It’s exciting to see Marvel invent brand-new characters in different formats, and it works great with Kahhori. Dayton noted, “She has Captain America-like morals, undying resolve, and her powers look undeniably strong on screen.”

This season of “What If…?” went out of its way to give fans scenarios and action scenes that Marvel would never do in live-action, as is evident in the next two best episodes that season: “What If…Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?” and “What If…Hela Found the Ten Rings.” The former is way more exciting than the title says, showing a sincere friendship between Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell) and Natasha’s Black Widow (Lake Bell.)

Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett impressed everyone when she entered in the MCU as Thor’s half-sister Hela in “Thor: Ragnarok.” However, with how that film handled the character’s finale, many fans thought they’d never again see Blanchett in the role again. Dayton said, “Thank God Marvel shelled out the big bucks to bring her back, as it’s hard to imagine this episode working as well as it does without Blanchett doing the voice work. On the surface, Thor and Shang Chi’s worlds don’t seem to have much to do with each other.” Still, Episode 7 greatly shows the similarities between the two worlds while giving great character depth for Hela and Xu Wenwu, otherwise known as The Mandarin, voiced by Feodor Chin.

This past year was slower for superhero movies, with DC taking a complete break and Marvel slowing the content down once “Echo” premiered on Disney+, which was a surprise hit the MCU needed. With how good Season Two of “What If…?” ended up, Marvel fans went into this year with high(er) hopes that the superhero studio will once again release the high-quality entertainment they were once known for creating.

If you loved the first season of “What If…?” then you should definitely check out the second season on Disney+. This series is showing some great potential of different timelines and I was really impressed with how amazing this turned out. Check it out and see some great episodes. There is a third season that is currently being streamed on Disney+, but I haven’t seen that yet. Once I do, I will let everyone what I thought.

Tomorrow I will let everyone know my thoughts on “Echo” in “Disney Month 2024.”

Deadpool & Wolverine

This morning, my siblings and I went to the theaters to see “Deadpool and Wolverine,” which came out yesterday. How is the latest installment in the franchise and the new addition to the MCU?

2018 was not a good time for Deadpool (at least he has one in this installment, although “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” has been referenced before). On the “sacred timeline” The Avengers are assembling to fight Thanos and they need everyone. Almost everyone. In the typical Deadpool way, the films starts with “I guess you’re wondering how I ended up here.” He’s digging the grave of Logan, aka Wolverine, in his final resting place at the end of “Logan.” How did Deadpool end up trying to get Wolverine, the main X-Men out of his grave and why? This is a result of the Fox/Disney merger and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool not being as Disney friendly as other superheroes.

Somewhere in the multiverse, Deadpool has not been living very well. He’s working with Peter, played by Rob Delany, selling cars and has hung up the suit for good. Vanessa, reprised by Morena Baccarin, has moved out. He believes he doesn’t matter. This was before the merger, and you will see plenty of explanations about that.

Wade Wilson is depressed but pretends everything is okay. He still has his friends as he’s sharing his apartment with Blind Al, reprised by Leslie Uggams. On his birthday attended by Peter, Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), her girlfriend Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna), Colossus (Stefan Kapicic), Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), and others, he gets a knock on the door from some TVA agents and believes they have been called for some dirty party acts. However, they’re there to take him to Mr. Paradox, played by Matthew MacFadyen, a Time Variance Authority bureau chief with a desire for preventive dimension pruning.

Deadpool’s hilarious R-rated comedy action has been a huge success. A lot of that has to do with Ryan Reynolds and his commitment to the act both on and off screen. That included a fake rivalry with good friend Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and a team up that was expected despite Wolverine’s adamantium corpse being what was left of the Fox X-Men Franchise. Not to worry, the multiverse and the “Loki” introduced TVA are here to save the fans.

To say “Deadpool & Wolverine” had a story would not be saying enough. The set up is Wade Wilson’s dimension is about to get pruned but if he plays nice, he at least will have a future which includes being with Thor. As his timeline has lost Wolverine, he must accept they’re finished. Not exactly. Wade is going to find another Wolverine and fix everything.

Shawn Levy, who has worked with both Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds in the past, is a great comedy director, and as expected, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a comedy. Even the action scenes are like extended comedy skits. They’re blood-filled but the first thought is to laugh and not be impressed by the choreography. Nadine Whitney said in her review, “With “The Worst Logan” located Deadpool and Wolverine end up in ‘The Void’ (another Loki reference) where useless superheroes and it seems entire Marvel universes get sent to stop bothering the sacred Disney timeline.”

There are two villains. Whitney said, “Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) Charles Xavier’s mummudrai twin who rules over The Void, and Mr Paradox – essentially an out-of-control middle management efficiency expert who can easily be described as a studio accountant. Do either of them pose a palpable threat? Not particularly. Nova’s plan is some universe (multiverse) ending palaver but it’s unlikely anyone is coming to Deadpool & Wolverine for actual stakes. The audience turns up for the scatological humour, the irreverent pokes at pretty much everything, and the buddy comedy where Hugh Jackman manages to keep up an impressive scowl and straight man routine for the runtime.”

Fan service is expected, and the movie delivers sporadically despite intentionally making fun of people who are fans. The lack of hatred with Ryan Reynolds’ jokey character, or maybe equal opportunity hatred, is what keeps everything fun. Reynolds and Jackman make jokes about themselves. There are two real-life divorce jokes. Blake Lively gets mentioned. Hugh’s Broadway career. A lot of jokes about Canada and how Hugh is not Canadian so why is he the best mutant from Canada. Also, so many cameos which would make a typical MCU film good.

Whitney said, “Deadpool & Wolverine almost hermetically seals itself from the standard criticism any superhero movie gets by blatantly pointing out it knows it’s doing the things people want and don’t want from them. People who were exhausted by the MCU and the interconnected nature of the multi-movie soap opera now get a new level of references which go back as far as… well to say which films would be a spoiler in itself but assume you might need to have prior knowledge of the Fox Marvel properties.”

Is “Deadpool & Wolverine” a “good” film? I think so and it is a friendly film which knows how insanely silly the ongoing comic book franchise are and makes the audience laugh at it and themselves which being given so many Easter eggs only the Marvel fanbase that has been following along since the beginning will get.

If the audience will enjoy the film and accept and embrace the comedy action they are just as responsible for what they’re seeing as the companies who own these properties, then everyone is going to have a good time.

As you can guess, this is the funniest of the Deadpool movies. The comedy, action, writing, pacing, the working off of the two leads, the cameos, Easter eggs, the twists, even the humanizing moments were all great. You should definitely go to the theaters to see this because you will be uproariously laughing at it like I was. There was a part where a person in the audience hollered, which I will not spoil. There is an after-credits scene that will have you laughing. I give this a solid 10 as it is another one of my favorite comic book films. I can’t wait to see what the MCU’s future holds for Deadpool and the X-Men.

Thank you for joining in on this review tonight. Stay tuned to see what I will review next month.

Loki (Season 2)

Time travel is impossible in real life, but it’s also difficult to make believable in fiction, where a neat plot device can easily devolve into a knotted nest of confusing exposition. The first season of “Loki” avoided this problem, making this Disney+ show a shining light in a somewhat quiet era of the MCU. Following a “variant” of the Norse God of Trickery in the depths of the Time Variance Authority, or TVA, the series partnered with flawless production design with a simple emotional narrative – especially once the protagonist Loki (Tom Hiddleston) met his match in his female counterpart Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), a relationship that opened questions of identity, free will and self-determination. Tracking the potential branches of the so-called Sacred Timeline could confuse the viewer. Alison Herman said in her review, “Like a Zen koan, “What makes a Loki a Loki?” is grounding and easy to grasp.”

The final scene of the first season, “Loki” revealed it would be the first Marvel Studios show for Disney+ to have a second season. This realization came as a relief, with the cliffhanger ending. After Loki and Sylvie traveled to the end of time, Sylvie killed He Who Remains, played by Jonathan Majors, the founder of the TVA and the main obstacle keeping the Sacred Timeline from becoming a complete multiverse. Herman said, “When Loki, having tried to stop her, returned alone to the TVA, he found an office transformed, with statues of He Who Remains looming everywhere and employees like Agent Mobius (Owen Wilson) having no memory of their quarry-turned-collaborator.”

This past year, “Loki” is back, and at the right time. Because the show started the MCU’s Multiverse Saga strongly, the franchise’s latest installments have caused people to have serious criticisms. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” was a critical and commercial disappointment that failed to build on what started in “Loki,” despite using some of the same concepts and characters. Herman noted, “Meanwhile, Majors is facing trial for charges of assault and aggravated harassment against his former girlfriend, throwing Marvel’s plan to make his character the next Thanos-style archvillain into question. (Not that blockbuster business planning should be anyone’s main concern when it comes to allegations of domestic violence, but with this much money on the line, it is a concern to some.)”

Herman continued, “Such circumstances place a great deal of pressure and scrutiny on “Loki” Season 2, which has also seen some personnel shuffles behind the scenes.” (Eric Martin became the head writer from creator Michael Waldron, while director Kate Herron gave the job to a larger group led by collaborators Justin Benson and Aaron Morehead.) However, even though “Loki” seems to be the best of the MCU shows, second only to “WandaVision,” Season 2 falls into the same traps the original story so cleverly avoided.

Herman said, “While the first episodes of “Loki” used its namesake as an audience surrogate, gradually laying out the purpose, customs and bylaws of the TVA, Season 2 begins in media res. Right away, Loki is tasked with finding Sylvie, figuring out why he’s hopscotching through time and navigating the chaos of a TVA workforce that’s just discovered all memory-wiped variants from “severed” — or less euphemistically, eliminated — timelines. It’s a lot, perhaps too much, for both Loki and the viewer to process, especially since the story feels increasingly unmoored from Loki’s own journey of (literal) self-discovery.”

Instead, the season introduces new MacGuffins like the Temporal Loom and characters like Ourobouros, played by Ke Huy Quan, a type of cosmic IT guy with the job of keeping TVA equipment in shape. Herman said, “There’s frantic motion and momentum, but not as much of a sense of who wants what, and why, when it comes to complicated questions of personal autonomy versus the collective good. In fact, one gets the sense that “Loki” maintains the breakneck speed precisely so it doesn’t have to slow down and root the action in its characters’ wants and needs. Online explainers will surely lay out the logistics in exhaustive detail, but they can’t create the sense of emotional urgency the season palpably lacks.”

At least there are performances, delivered by an ensemble inside the MCU’s giant ensemble that remains one of its best. On a long victory after his Oscar win for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Quan brings an experienced energy to Ourobouros, or OB, that complements the crazy antics he’s asked to perform. Rafael Casal is less well-served as a TVA employee who’s barely introduced before becoming a fugitive, we’re told is important to the story, though through no fault of his own. Herman said, “And when taken on its own terms, Majors’ work as He Who Remains in his various incarnations is an idiosyncratic and strangely magnetic break from Marvel house style — though whether it should be considered separately from his off-set behavior is another question entirely.”

The playful, inventive visuals also continue to give “Loki” an added edge, from the congested gadgetry of OB’s workshop to a quick detour in 1970s London to an entire episode set in 19^th century Chicago. Herman said, “But where everything from the set design of the TVA to its complicated cosmology once felt in service to Loki’s burgeoning ability to feel camaraderie and love, the hierarchy now feels reversed. Even though, via spoiler-y means, Loki and Mobius do get to resume their buddy routine, there’s less space for either their friendship or Loki’s bond with Sylvie when everyone is racing around for unclear reasons.” “Loki” is still a good time, but despite the second season, it may not have been built for a long one.

I still think this was a good season. I did not find any complaints in it and I liked how everything is at stake and that something bad may happen if they do not jump at the chance to stop it. Loki has come a long way from the one villain the MCU did right and changed into a hero that we all love and adore. Then again, I think this is a different variant of Loki compared to the villain we loved to watch, but still, he has changed. You should check this season out and see for yourself, as I think there was a lot to see and get hooked on.

And with that, we have reached the end of “Disney Month 2023.” I hope everyone enjoyed it because, as always, this was a busy month for me. I had to decide what I was going to review and unfortunately had to change the list around a few times because some shows were delayed to next year. Some movies came out that I wanted to check out, so now that I have, I will take some time off and think clearly about what I want to review next.

Have a great end to the year, everyone. I will see you all next year for the next series of exciting reviews. Take care.