Oh Marvel, I have missed you! Like so many others, I have been eagerly waiting for WandaVision to start streaming on Disney Plus. So much that I wrote an article about upcoming Marvel shows on Disney Plus. And the wait is now over! The first two episodes of WandaVision are now available to stream and I’m officially hooked. WandaVision is weird, but in a good way. It might not be for everyone but keep reading to find out why I loved it, and whether or not young kids will enjoy it.
WandaVision is a Bewitching New Entry to the MCU
It’s been almost two (long) years since we last saw the MCU superheroes in action. Yes, I was one of the audience members sobbing at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Even though Vision died in Avengers: Endgame, it doesn’t mean his romance with Wanda Maximoff (aka Scarlet Witch) is over. Here are the reasons I love the first two episodes of WandaVision.
The Dialogue is Witty and Clever
Even though WandaVision takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, we first see Wanda and Vision arriving to their new home as newlyweds - in the 1950s. Say what? That’s right, the first two episodes take place in the 1950s and the 1960s and they are basically satires of series like Bewitched and I Love Lucy. There’s even a forced laugh track playing in the background. However, we quickly learn that everything (including the people) isn’t as it seems to be. While many of the scenes are funny in nature, there are also elements of creepiness and sadness as we start learning more about Wanda and Vision’s new life together.
The Acting is Fantastic
In the MCU movies, Vision (played by Paul Bettany) and Wanda (played by Elizabeth Olsen) are mostly supporting characters. I’ve always liked their characters, but in WandaVision, we get to see Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen use their wide range of acting abilities. I mean, Paul Bettany is FUNNY as Vision in WandaVision. And we also get to see the humorous side of Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda, too. Kathryn Hahn as Vision and Wanda’s neighbor, Agnes, is also noteworthy. As I mentioned above, everything isn’t as it seems to be. Could there be more to Agnes than she pretends to be? And what about Geraldine (played by Teyonah Parris)? Note that she says early on that she doesn’t know what she’s doing here. Hmm…..the plot thickens….No spoilers here, but it leads in to some fun Marvel easter eggs (more about that below).
Costume Design, Set Design, and Cinematography
Because the first two episodes are a satire of shows like I Love Lucy and Bewitched, you can expect costumes and the set designs inspired by that particular time period. I especially loved the costume designs, from the dresses to the pedal pushers. As for the cinematography, I’ve always loved classic films so I like that the first two episodes are shown in black and white.
Marvel Easter Eggs in WandaVision
Oh, my. As a Marvel fan, I love trying to spot the various easter eggs. After I watched the first two episodes, I found myself going down a rabbit hole. There are A LOT of easter eggs for Marvel fans in this series. All I could keep thinking is that the creators are geniuses. I’m trying to not spoil anything here, but if you want to read more about the easter eggs, click here to read an article written by my friend Tessa at Mama’s Geeky.
Is WandaVision kid friendly?
The series is rated TV-PG. I thought that my 8 year old son would enjoy watching the series with me and my husband. Mostly because he has enjoyed all the MCU movies and he enjoyed watching The Mandalorian, also on Disney Plus. However, there aren’t any action scenes (so far) in WandaVision. My son also isn’t familiar with series like Bewitched and I Love Lucy, so he was really confused with the storyline. He did enjoy the scene in episode 2 where Vision and Wanda perform magic in front of an audience but that was the extent of it. Overall, I think that younger children might have a difficult time following along.
Overall Thoughts
In case you couldn’t tell, I loved WandaVision! I love The Mandalorian and I was sad when the second season ended. But now I have another reason to look forward to Fridays on Disney Plus and that’s WandaVision. This is a series that, so far, is different from what we’ve seen so far in MCU. The acting, the storyline, the witty dialogue, the Marvel easter eggs, the costume design, the cinematography are all fantastic, and I can’t wait to see how the series connects the dots. But, this is a series that my husband and I will likely watch without our son.
About WandaVision
Marvel Studios presents “WandaVision,” a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) – two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives – begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems. The new series is directed by Matt Shakman; Jac Schaeffer is head writer.