WandaVision, Falcon and Winter Soldier

Let’s do the Marvel TV shows!

WandaVision

What a great way for Marvel to kick off their TV venture, with something completely out of the box.  The homages to each decade of shows are inspired and pitch perfect.  That said, the first three episodes, while necessary, have zero rewatchability outside of the “things aren’t right” moments.  Things get amazingly good with episode four when Darcy, Jimmy Woo, and Monica Rambeau show up.  They peak an episode later with the batshit crazy appearance of Evan Peters X-Men Quicksilver.  The promise of that inspired casting choice never pans out, but for a moment, the possibilities of that moment were mind-boggling and endless.  (Though it now looks like the multiverse may still be a thing.)

The ending never hits those highs - I’m in the minority when I say Kathryn Hahn (whom I love) is a little too hammy for my taste. Hahn's finest moment, BTW.

And the standard big Marvel fight left me cold.  (Love the Ship of Theseus discussion, though.)  

But I love the exploration of Wanda’s grief, which carried through the entirety of the series.  Her farewell to Vision is beautiful and painful, the way it should be.  And the setup for future Marvel stuff is strong (the Young Avenger twins, Monica, the Darkhold). 

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes for episode 4 and after.

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Starts at Didn’t suck, peaks as Really good, ends at Nice.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Cool stuff:

• The exploration of a black Captain America, and what it means to Sam.

• All of Bucky, Baron Zemo, the Dora Milaje.

• The Dora Milaje kicking the crap out of USAgent.

• USAgent killing someone is a very powerful image.  (Though it’s not like Steve doesn’t have a body count.)

• Bucky flirting w/ Sam’s sister.

• Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley.

Crummy stuff:

• All of USAgent.  What a weak tool.  The show could have done a better job of setting him up as a sympathetic character.

• That freedom fighting group that I don’t remember the name of.  None of that was interesting.

• Sam’s Cap costume.  It does not work IRL.

• Sam’s speech to the politicians.  Speechifying at its lamest and worst.  

• I don’t buy a non-powered human as an effective Captain America.  

• Sharon Carter’s heel turn doesn’t ring true.  

Unlike WandaVision, this probably would have been more effective as a movie.  Focus on Sam's journey, cut the revolutionaries, and you’re good to go.  The race discussion would take center stage (if Disney had the guts).  

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: No

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Nice