By Katie Volk
Staff Writer
“WandaVision” kicks off phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the first television series of the Marvel franchise. The series gives the audience an inconspicuous suspenseful experience of one of Marvel’s most beloved characters.
“WandaVision” was released on Disney+ on January 15, 2021. Elizabeth Olsen playing Wanda returns to her role after the events of Avengers: Endgame along with Paul Bettany who is playing Vision, a synthezoid created by Tony Stark.
In a sequence of famous sitcoms, Wanda lives a seemingly perfect life as a wife to Vision and mother to her two twin boys. Wanda and Vision attempt to hide their powers from their neighbors, while conflict arises that could threaten the livelihood of Wanda and her family.
The series introduces a new side of Wanda’s power, a more dangerous and physiological side to her abilities that could possibly make her the villain of her own show. The show exploits deeper levels of Wanda’s trauma along with Vision’s apprehensive emotions of his suspicious surroundings.
“WandaVision” succeeds at displaying Marvel’s classic element of dropping subtle hints and giving the audience the feeling of suspicion and excitement, keeping them on the edge of their seats. The show also adds the element of breaking of the fourth wall, but this adds an eerie sensation.
The acting was surprisingly good for a Marvel film. Olsen’s display of sadness and her character’s trauma let a deeper level of Wanda surface, unlike the typical performances of the Marvel movies.
Probably the most enjoyable aspect of the series is the sitcoms that each episode is modeled after. For example, the first episode is based off of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and episode five is a “Full House” themed episode, adding fun and relatable references to well-loved shows for the audience.
The show can leave the audience confused at times and watching the series seems like putting a puzzle together. Understanding Wanda’s power and past go hand-in-hand with understanding the show. Little hints, such as the commercial breaks imply towards Wanda’s history with the Avengers and her childhood.
Ending on a cliche note, the show ends with unresolved questions and new conflicts that will set the stage for the next MCU films and even more problems that Olsen’s character will have to face. The cliffhanger the audience is left with will surely encourage them to watch the next movie in the future.
“WandaVision” made a name for itself as the most expensive Marvel franchise project, but it was well worth the money spent. The 9 episode series makes its way as one of the most favored and top rated MCU projects.
“WandaVision” was released on Jan. 15 and is rated TV-PG, and can be seen exclusively on Disney+.
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