The first three episodes of WandaVision were provided by Disney+ for review purposes.
It wasn't always the plan for WandaVision to be the first Marvel Studios series on Disney+, but we can't help thinking that it taking this spot has worked out for the best. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier looks like a thrilling, action-packed continuation of the Captain America franchise, but with this series, we get something that simply wouldn't have worked as well on the big screen as it does here. The claims that this is unlike anything we've ever seen from the Marvel Cinematic Universe are correct, and by no means hyperbole or a clever marketing tactic to grab the attention of fans who have grown used to a certain style of storytelling from this shared world. It's early days, but if these first few episodes are any indication, there's every chance this will go down as the wildest, most inventive story Marvel Studios has ever told.
This risky, bold, and often downright crazy series fully embraces the idea of Wanda Maximoff and Vision being sitcom stars, and these early instalments - set in the 50s, 60s, and 70s - do a terrific job recreating the comedies of that era. It's not just lip service either; director Matt Shakman (who puts himself on the map here in a huge way) even shoots these episodes as they would have been at the time. That gives them a level of authenticity which delivers exactly what was promised when we learned Marvel Studios was going to use Disney+ to release its first sitcom. Of course, it's not a spoiler to say that there's more going on here than meets the eye, and the underlying sense that all is not right in Westview gives WandaVision the feel of a horror movie at times. The series is one that promises to launch a million theories, with dissecting everything they see on a week-by-week basis. It's good to be back in the MCU!
Trying to figure out what's going on is clearly going to be part of the excitement of tuning in, and Shakam, along with the show's impressive list of writers, has done a superb job of finding the right balance of making these episodes feel like legit sitcoms, while ensuring the hardcore Marvel fans have plenty to talk about. These episodes don't provide many answers, but do serve up a compelling mystery which promises a series that will be appointment viewing each week. If WandaVision proves anything, it's that award ceremonies like the Emmys need to start taking comic book TV shows seriously. Why? Well, here's one good reason: Elizabeth Olsen.
The Avengers: Infinity War star delivers a career best performance as Wanda Maximoff, fully embracing being a "sitcom star" in each respective decade these opening episodes take place in. Olsen is clearly giving it her all, and proving she's ready to take the Scarlet Witch from being a supporting player to the focal point of Marvel's Phase 4. Her energy is infectious, and it's remarkable how effortless she makes this look as she jumps from doting housewife to an Avenger who clearly knows all is not right in this world.
Paul Bettany, meanwhile, is having an absolute blast as Vision, and seems to be having more fun here than in any of his previous MCU appearances. Together, the chemistry between the two leads is electrifying, and if you weren't invested in their relationship before, you will be now. Kathryn Hahn makes for an intriguing presence in the series, fulfilling what's required her with ease, but it feels like Teyonah Parris is who we should all be keeping an eye on. We only see her in two of these three episodes, but she fits into the sitcom settings nicely, and it's hard not to be excited about seeing what she gets to do as Monica Rambeau away from Westview.
WandaVision is something special, and you'd be crazy to miss it. Clearly an important chapter in the MCU mythos, the Disney+ series delivers everything we could have hoped for and more. Regardless of what's really going on here, the sitcoms are the uplifting change of pace we needed heading into 2021. Is it too soon to declare this the year's best new TV series?
A love letter to sitcoms and the perfect show to bring us back into the MCU, WandaVision is Marvel's most exciting project yet, with an unmissable, Emmy-worthy performance from Elizabeth Olsen.