After what feels like an incredibly long wait this week finally sees the debut of Marvel Studios What If…? on Disney+. We’ve been lucky enough to see the first three episodes and today we’re breaking down our spoiler-free thoughts on the studio’s first animated series.
The first three episodes consist of three very different stores. The first episode, which we’re calling “Captain Carter,” focusses on Peggy in the world where she is given the super soldier serum and not Steve. The second episode, “Star-Lord,” finds T’Challa taken by Yondu and not Peter Quill. The third episode, which we’re calling “Avengers Initiative,” finds a mysterious force working to destroy S.H.I.E.L.D’s plans to form a team of heroes.
What’s abundantly clear from the outset is the attention to detail Marvel has put in to creating the worlds of What If…? With over 50 actors from the live-action movies returning to voice their characters it’s easy to forget that you’re watching something new. This level of detail is also carried over in to the animation style.
Stephan Franck and his animation team has done a wonderful job of re-creating the world of Marvel Studios’ movies. For the most part all of our characters look like their counterparts though there are some exceptions. Whilst Lake Bell does an incredible job of voicing Black Widow, her visual representation doesn’t reel reminiscent of Scarlett Johansson. Conversely, T’Challa is every part the identical twin of the late Chadwick Boseman.
The cell-shading style of animation looks beautiful on screen. Environments are rich and textured with backgrounds often taking on a life of their own. In classic Disney style backgrounds often take on more 2D elements to help them stand apart from the foreground characters. But in doing so the world of the Marvel multiverse often feels like a piece of artwork in its own right.
Each of the three episodes approaches the What If…? brief in its own way. “Captain Carter” feels like the perfect series premiere as its story is ultimately the most familiar of these three episodes. Taking its cues from Captain America: The First Avenger it’s the variant in character which sets the episode apart from the film. Whereas “Star-Lord” capitalises on familiar characters to tell an original story albeit one which is overstuffed and fails to stick the landing. What If…? finds its biggest success in its third episode by taking familiar characters and stories but presenting them in an entirely original configuration.
“Captain Carter” encapsulates the fun action-adventure style which is quintessentially Marvel. In doing so the episode feels like a fun entry in to the multiverse. In addition, the opening voice over work from Jeffrey Wright perfectly encapsulates the mission statement of What If…? leaving the audience with little work to do to understand the concept. Whilst the episode does verge on gimmicky, it feels necessary in order to ease the audience in to the idea of variant stories.
With “Star-Lord” the team has attempted to create a 33 minute story featuring a huge ensemble cast. Above all it’s the performance of Chadwick Boseman which carries the episode. Its heartbreaking to know this is his final outing as T’Challa. But also satisfying to know he did some of his best MCU work creating this Guardians of the Galaxy inspired variant. Ultimately the notion of family which underpins the episode is a success. But there’s too much else going on for the episode to fully explore all of its themes.
The final episode that we saw is easily the most successful of the three. It takes the best elements of both prior episodes to create something which is truly unique and original. Additionally, the episode slims down the cast allowing more time for the characters to breathe. It also takes scenarios from Phase One movies and individually twists them in their own ways. As far as hitting your stride goes, “Avengers Initiative” is a prime example of how the rest of the season should play out.
Ultimately there is a lot to enjoy from the first three episodes of What If…? It’s solidly written and beautifully visualised but does lack the hook required to make this compelling viewing.
In case you missed it, here’s the trailer for What If…?:
The series is confirmed to feature a huge voice cast of Marvel actors including Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Hemsworth, Danai Gurira, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Mark Ruffalo, Natalie Portman, Paul Rudd, Samuel L. Jackson, and even more…
What If…? premieres on Disney+ on August 11, 2021.
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