Review by Dennis D. McDonald

WandaVision is an interesting TV series. I’m not a big fan of the Marvel universe -- I find the real world much more interesting and less contrived -- but I admit that WandaVision did keep my attention. 

Even though it’s set in the Marvel world it’s about lesser known characters. While it helps to know some backstory to understand it 100% (for example, knowing about Stark Industries’ past) that’s not really necessary.

The story is relatively straightforward. Wanda, traumatized while young and witnessing the violent deaths of loved ones, finds she can use her telekinetic superpowers to magically build and sustain a reality-cushioning world around her. Since a nefarious organization also wants her powers for their own use, a major clash/crash/superpower altercation eventually results.

Despite the storyline’s familiarity WandaVision proceeds in a fresh an unusual way and does a relatively good job of trying together it’s fantastical elements. Plus, we got to see Paul Bettany, one of my favorite actors, display his comedic chops.

If I do have one major criticism it’s about Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda. While I find her balance of normalcy and fantasy more convincing then, say, how Scarlett Johannsen portrays Black Widow, Olsen does not appear to have the performance subtlety that allows us to really see into Wanda’s soul. Bettany is much more capable of nuance than Olsen; it’s never really clear to me why he is so tied to Wanda. 

While I did enjoy the show and feel it is a worthy addition to the Marvel landscape, I do hope in the future we also see more dramas like James Mangold’s gritty Logan.

Review copyright (c) 2021 by Dennis D. McDonald

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