WandaVision was revolutionary for the MCU, it was also a raging success. It was really the first time Marvel Studios had done something different outside of their films. Just the idea of Marvel making TV shows that fitted into the MCU would make the average person’s brain crack if they tried to understand the coordination needed to pull everything off. Then there’s What If…? Marvel Studios first animated show and whilst it is interesting and can have interesting stories, its the first Marvel Studios product I haven’t really liked.
My first thought was maybe I’m not as connected to the animation as I am the live action content, but I frequently watch animation, cartoon and anime, in fact I beyond excited for Star Wars Visions which is Star Wars’ equivalent. What If falters in its animation style which is bland and boring, especially when compared to how visually different every Marvel film can be, not always but they can be.
What If stories could be the blame, the four episodes so far have been interesting but without any effects from these stories do they serve any purpose? You can say to just enjoy them but everything in the MCU has been delicately planned and put in the right released order and everything so its a bit jarring.
The voice acting for the show is good in parts and sounds phoned in with some parts. Its certainly strange having other people voice the characters that are well known like Tony Stark for example. The episode that will be strangest will surely be the Spider-Man episode but we’ll find out when we get to it. I grew up watching Marvel cartoons and Spider-Man, Iron Man, X-Men and many more were my life but What If just doesn’t fit into the MCU and it certainly feels like filler content despite the wait times between films and shows being even shorter now.
It is great to finally see Captain Carter, Hayley Atwell finally getting to be that character is great for the show. Chadwick Boseman’s episode is also really good and he brings so much to his character and has certainly been the highlight of the whole series so far.
What If maybe needs a few more episodes to get used to, maybe they should’ve done what the Pixar shorts series have been doing which is releasing all at once. Myself, an avid MCU fan, doesn’t feel compelled to tune in each week. Pixar content I’m watching a story of beloved characters that already existed and its the continuation of their story and adventure. These Marvel characters ultimately don’t serve a purpose other than fulfilling fan fiction and stuff that could’ve or has already been told in comics, its about as strange as that Dr Strange episode.
The animated show maybe isn’t made for me, and that’s okay this is just my opinion. I’m still slightly intrigued and looking forward to some episodes, give the Spider-Man episode now but I just wish it had a bit more purpose and maybe a bit more polish and better design in its animation. Also some extra effort in the voice acting! In my opinion its bit of a misstep but at least its a misstep in an animation project not a live action one or maybe I’m completely wrong and the whole show will serve a purpose and I’ll regret typing this. Certainly asked me What If after thirteen years you finally didn’t like an MCU film or show?