WandaVision Review

9/10.  In a very special review…an original and emotional addition to the MCU *SPOILERS*

WandaVision is a Marvel Studios TV miniseries created / written by Jac Schaeffer, directed by Matt Shakman and available on Disney+.  Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany return as Wanda Maximoff and Vision from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with events taking place after Avengers: Endgame (2019).

I didn’t have high hopes for WandaVision following the trailers with the black and white 1950s sitcom feel, but it’s a fantastically original and emotional TV show. The idyllic 1950s Westview setting in episodes 1 and 2 was sweet and fun to watch, however, it’s quickly established that all was not as it seemed.  It was also curious that Vision didn’t know that he was, well, deceased, following Endgame. 

The weekly release of episodes kept the mystery alive by developing the story slowly, which satisfied my Marvel craving and made the series a worthwhile addition to the MCU. 

There were subtle nuances in Wanda’s demeanour that broke through the charade of the happy sitcom feel, which became more darkly chaotic throughout the series as the decades progressed through the 1950s - 2000s, with homages to TV shows such as I Love Lucy, Bewitched, The Partridge Family and Malcolm in the Middle. Vision slowly becomes aware of the oddness surrounding him, not least the rapidly growing twins.

Delighted to see Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and FBI agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) together ‘watching the show’ and providing humorous exposition. I hope they keep making appearances in Marvel projects. Monica Rambeau was portrayed well by Teyonah Parris, hinting at her enhanced future and implying tension with Captain Marvel, who was her mother’s best friend…

As things slowly become clear in Wanda’s trip down memory lane in episode 8, it’s apparent that WandaVision is more than just an MCU action adventure. It has heart, soul and deals with trauma and PTSD in a real way. It asks who the ‘bad guys’ really are in these scenarios, and how real people would see the devastation that can be caused by enhanced Avengers, however well meaning.

The show makes Wanda’s emotional breakdown and grief relatable, especially in the current pandemic world. Wanda has quarantined herself and created her desired world, bringing the childhood comfort of the sitcoms she watched in war torn Sokovia to life, knowing these shows always had happy endings. 

Friends during lockdown have said to me that they couldn’t bear to watch anything sad, scary or perilous during lockdown, they could only deal with comedy and Wanda has done the same thing, left the real world for a happy one.

I’ve often wondered what would happen if such a powerful Avenger absolutely lost control. The flashbacks create a sad picture of all the grief Wanda has endured and explains - partly - how powerful she is.

Director Hayward (Josh Stamberg) is a bad S.W.O.R.D guy but Kathryn Hahn as Agnes is the real MVP and a treat to watch, with a great performance throughout.  WandaVision benefits from a re-watch as there are subtle clues about Agatha all along, her facial expressions and quickly shifting emotions are perfect. The ultimate witchy battle scenes were extravagant enough to be worthy of any MCU blockbuster film.

There’s even some philosophy thrown in as Vision and White Vison discuss the Ship of Theseus theory and debate what it is to be real. Jon Favreau made a great choice in casting Paul Bettany as the voice of Jarvis long before we knew the MCU would blossom like it did, he is an incredible actor and played the human / synthezoid roles perfectly. Elisabeth Olson showcased a great acting range we haven’t seen as Wanda, but this is the first time she’s had centre stage.

WandaVision was a stand-alone series leading into Phase Four of the MCU, and the goodbye from Wanda to her children and Vision was incredibly emotional, yet I feel this isn’t the last we’ll see of Vision and the twins. Following the cryptic astral projection post credits scene, and as Agatha said Wanda is “More powerful than the sorcerer supreme,” what will happen next?

“What is grief, if not love persevering?”