by Ray Keating
Review/Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 11, 2021
I probably have mentioned this before, but when movie technology finally caught up to comic book superheroes, I was like a kid again. Here were the heroes I read about since my childhood in the pages of comics brought to life in captivating ways on the big screen. And after an incredible run of movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along came Disney+ announcing that this intertwined story of heroes and villains would be extended to its streaming service as well. Cool.
Unfortunately, the first two series – WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – fell short in the end. Now, the MCU and Disney+ need Loki to step it up.
WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier came undone in assorted ways, but in a major way by losing a lifeline that most of the MCU movies had to the best of comic books, that is, delivering a coherent, exciting, action-packed story while communicating a clear sense of right and wrong, and there being consequences for assorted actions.
As I explained in a review of WandaVision, here was a show that started with a fascinating premise that had the audience wondering, guessing and wanting more. But then the show not only turned in a more pedestrian and flawed direction in terms of the storytelling, but it failed in an essential way:
WandaVision’s creators ultimately chickened out. They set up a story that cried out for wrestling with evil actions taken by a “hero,” but viewers got nothing, other than a lame, passing “I’m sorry” from Wanda.
Unfortunately, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier never really hit the early heights that WandaVision did, but its ultimate fall was somewhat similar.
As for the characters, Sebastian Stan could have been interesting as Bucky, with his attempts to deal with the sins that he committed as the Winter Soldier. While the possibility was introduced, nothing very interesting was done with it, or quite frankly, with Bucky in general.
Indeed, nothing much compelling was done with either Bucky or Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/The Falcon during the entire 6-episode series. I was left wondering if Mackie and Stan simply don’t have enough in the acting tank, or if they were not given enough by the showrunners. The show turns out to be about two of Captain America’s sidekicks, who aren’t really cutting it as the main heroes.
There are other problems as well, such as John Walker – Wyatt Russell as Captain America – too quickly descending into a dark place.
But two big issues loom with the overall series. First, the showrunners desperately wanted to say something relevant about today’s racial issues. And there’s nothing wrong with creators saying something through their work. But it’s done here in uneven, clunky ways, with points crammed in here and there in awkward ways. Indeed, there was no subtlety or having such matters fit smoothly into the story. Instead, it was all rather heavy handed at the expense of the story. For good measure, at the expense of Steve Rogers’ Captain America as well, as the writers apparently really liked having characters derisively referring, more than once, to a “blond hair and blue eyes” Cap. While trying to move on from one of the MCU favorite characters in Steve Rogers’ Cap, why do it in such a way as to seemingly tarnish the original Captain America? Perhaps the showrunners didn’t intend that, but it certainly was how it came across.
And then there is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier falling prey to the same key shortcoming that hit WandaVision about confusing right and wrong. The view that Sam Wilson takes toward the key “villain,” who is a murderer and terrorist, is bewildering, to say the least. Sam treats her sympathetically, even bringing her dead body down from the sky with wings spread out like an angel. Really?
Along these lines, the reasons for the terrorists’ actions were murky, and when finally revealed – well, sort of revealed – none of the characters really knew what to do, including Sam now as Captain America, who served up a rambling incoherent speech.
Both Disney+ Marvel shows, though, point to a reluctance to say something clear about right and wrong. But again, that has always been at the center of superhero comic books, especially as they offered little moral lessons to children. And that carried well into the MCU movies. But not in these Disney+ shows, which leaves one with a question: Why?
Finally, it’s troubling for a series when the most interesting character by far only gets a few minutes of screen time, and largely as a tip of the hat to future MCU projects. Julia-Louise Dreyfuss, as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, steals each of her scenes. She’s having a good time, and the audience wants to enjoy time with her as well. It’s amazing what happens when an interesting character is portrayed by a real talent.
As was evidenced by the last three Star Wars films, faith can be lost with the public when even a beloved series falls flat. But as The Mandalorian also made clear, quality storytelling can restore faith and win back audiences. Here’s to hoping that Loki starts to re-ignite some MCU magic.
Yes, Loki needs to be good, really good.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
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