Marvels What If? is a surreal Disney Plus anthology show with limitless potential

Date:
Tue, 10 Aug 2021 13:00:56 +0000

Description:
Marvels What If? releases on Disney Plus on August 11 heres our spoiler-free review of its first three episodes.

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What If? represents uncharted territory for Marvel Studios. After 13 years
of major movie and, more recently, TV success, Marvels latest Disney Plus
show messes with the tried and tested formula thats turned it into a multi-billion dollar cinematic powerhouse.

Inspired by the 1977 comic series of the same name, What If? is an anthology series that takes iconic MCU moments, such as Captain Americas creation, and reshapes them in unexpected ways. The opening episode, for example, looks at what would've happened if Agent Carter had received the super soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers and how this scenario affects the multiverse's parallel timelines.

What If? does more than explore alternate MCU realities, though it also
marks Marvel's first foray into animation. Will fans who are so used to live-action, big-budget productions want to watch this? It's potentially risky, especially when its tales are standalone entries with little
continuity tying them together, too.

Thankfully, Marvels bold decision has paid off. With its familiar yet novel take on the MCU, What If? is a weird and surprisingly wonderful take on the superhero genre that feels like The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror in its narrative approach. Inside Marvel's What If...?, the Disney Plus animated
show that reshapes the MCU What time is Marvel's What If...? episode 1 released on Disney Plus? How to watch the Marvel movies in order A Marvel-ous rebirth (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

What If? stars Jeffrey Wright (James Bond, Westworld) as Uatu the Watcher, an omnipotent celestial being who watches over the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse (MCM) and guides viewers through the shows nine episodes.

Each entry revisits classic MCU moments, such as the Avengers formation, but with a twist: each episode's events take place in alternate timelines to the MCU (as introduced in Lokis season 1 finale ) and subsequently play out with wildly different results.

Some viewers may wonder why What If? is retreading old ground by going back
to its superheroes roots, but its genuinely interesting to see what may have happened to the MCUs most prominent characters if events had transpired in other ways.

Its fascinating, for instance, to see how TChalla would have affected the entire galaxy if he had been kidnapped by the Ravagers instead of Peter
Quill. Or how Eric Killmonger saving Tony Stark might have altered Iron Mans origins story (although were yet to see this particular episode).

Leaning into this type of limitless storytelling opens up many avenues for originality. Given how some viewers (and at least one creator who has worked in the MCU ) feel bored by superhero offerings in 2021, the sheer amount of creativity within What If? is no bad thing.

Altering these key moments in subtle ways not only puts an unexpected slant
on events were familiar with, but also provides an opportunity to see characters mingle with others who they havent met, or will ever meet, in Marvels main timeline. Such moves allow for some very surreal character interactions but, given how were used to seeing various Earth-based and galactic superheroes conversing with each other by now, it doesnt feel odd to see the likes of TChalla and Yondu talk about things or exchange jokes.

Speaking of the shows humor, What If? doesnt relegate the MCUs funnier elements to the sidelines. Yes, some stories are more serious in tone than others but, by and large, there are amusing moments to enjoy throughout, even if a few jokes (mainly in the series premiere) are slightly corny.

What If? wont only comprise stories that Marvel movies fans know of, either. Other episodes will feature tales from the companys illustrious comic
history, such as its Marvel Zombies series, that audiences may not be
familiar with. So even if youve read lots of Marvel comics, or seen every MCU movie or TV show to date, therell be plenty in What If?s episodes and Easter eggs or MCU references, of which there are an abundance to look or listen out for to keep you engaged and entertained. Multiversal alterations (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

So What If?s tales are inventive and absorbing, but what about the shows animation?

Although it has its roots in 1920s and 1930s illustration US artists including J.C. Leyendecker and Tom Lovell inspired its aesthetic What If?s animated style fits pretty well for a 21st century production. The fluidity
of character movements, from lip syncing to frenetic fight sequences, are a treat, while the shows cel shaded look gives it a distinctive, almost 3D
comic book flavor.

While other anthology series, such as Netflixs Love, Death & Robots , whose tales are produced by a multiple studios, can get away with using a variety
of visual styles and animation techniques, its pleasing to see that the same style and tone is utilized throughout here. Three other studios worked alongside Marvels in-house animation team to produce What If? and, although
it may have been more interesting to see those companies put their own artistic spin on the MCU, retaining an identical look feels necessary here
for continuity purposes.

As enjoyable as What If? is, it does have a couple of downsides.

For one, its jarring to hear other voice actors portray beloved characters including Iron Man, Black Widow and Steve Rogers. Many of Marvels past (and present) talent reprise their roles for the series but, in some instances, that wasnt possible and it shows.

Commendable as it is to try and replicate Robert Downey Jrs famous turn as Tony Stark, hearing another actor recreate a stars iconic performance makes for an uncomfortable fit. Sure, Marvel can argue that certain characters dont need to sound exactly like their MCU counterparts What If?s tales are multiversal retellings after all but its easy to distinguish which actors returned to voice their MCU characters and which havent, and its somewhat unsettling.

What If?s episodes can seem a bit on the short side, too. Some stories only need 30 minutes to reach a satisfying conclusion. Others, though, could have used another five or 10 minutes either to add additional context to proceedings, or simply because the adventures are so enthralling that you
dont want them to end. With weekly waits between new episodes landing on Disney Plus, the lean run time may leave some viewers disappointed and
wanting more. What we think (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

What If? is a ground-breaking show for Marvel and the MCU in general. It may not be a direct tie-in (at least, Marvel hasnt confirmed or denied as much), but its a sandbox of infinite possibilities that can only grow in its own unique way as more superpowered beings, worlds and universes become established in the MCM.

By exploring standalone stories set in a multitude of genres, What If? arguably has the largest creative potential of all of Marvels upcoming productions. Leaning into the more bizarre elements of Marvel comics gives
the studio license to do whatever it wants (within the series PG-13 rating), and explore the multiverse in as much detail as possible.

Marvel is already working on What If? season 2 but, based on the first
seasons early episodes, its a show that could become the studios longest running property if it ignites fans imaginations. What If? feels like the start of something new for Marvel, and Im excited to be along for the multiversal ride.

Marvels What If? premieres exclusively on Disney Plus on Wednesday, August 11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings : everything we know about the MCU movie



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