The Marvel Cinematic Universe has not released a new entry since 2019’s disappointing Spider-Man: Far From Home. Honestly, that break is exactly what was needed. Following up Spider-Man with what appears to be a paint-by-numbers, rote sendoff for Scarlet Johansson and Black Widow would have been the worst possible step into the “future” of the MCU. Instead, Disney is kicking off 2021 with WandaVision, finally giving a spotlight to two of the worst used characters in the franchise. If the premiere is anything to go by, this is the perfect next step for the biggest movie franchise ever.
Full Spoilers for ‘Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience’ follow. You have been
warned.
Who knew Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen were such charming
actors? Oh wait, everyone but the writers of their prior MCU appearances. Both
actors shine in what is essentially an episode of Bewitched until the
final minutes. In fact, every actor that appears in this episode knocks their
role out of the park. They all seem to be having a ball making a throwback comedy.
Then there is the climax of the episode where the presence
of something sinister becomes clear. During a dinner party, another couple ask
Wanda and Vision about their past (how they met, where they are from, etc.) and
they cannot answer. As the pair contemplate the questions asked, a man starts
choking and the artifice breaks. For the first time the camera placement changes
from the classic single-camera sitcom setup. There are head-on closeups and
quick, unnerving cuts. After Vision saves his life, there is a fairly typical sitcom
ending and the pair stare into the camera as the credits roll over their faces.
It is all rather effective and the best part of the episode.
Well, the best part of the episode is actually Vision’s
constant questioning of what the company he works for actually does. All he
knows is that he does accounting and no one else seems to know anything more
either. Not only is it just a great bit of comedic writing lampshading the
nebulousness many of the jobs men had in older sitcoms, it is a subtle hint
that something is wrong and prepares the audience for the eventual façade break.
The episode ends with some sketchy (seemingly) government agent
watching the show on a TV at their station. What exactly that means is unclear,
although we know this show will, in some way, tie into the upcoming Spider-Man
and Doctor Strange movies and those will be bringing the multiverse into play
for the MCU. Due to that, it seems likely our heroes are trapped in some other
universe where everything is like I Dream of Jeannie, but it is too
early to tell.
The premiere of WandaVision was a charming adventure
that has me excited to see what comes next. Surprisingly, it has done more though;
it has reinvigorated my interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even Black
Widow, which I noted in the opening seems like it will be a boring, but
enjoyable movie. That movie was written by Jac Schaeffer, the showrunner of WandaVision
and writer of this episode. If she took as creative an approach to that story as
she has here, it could be much more fun than I expected. I cannot wait.
Wondering why this only cover the first episode of WandaVision?
Come back tomorrow for a review of the second half of the two-part premiere.
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