I’ve written all the series of Marvel’s Phase 4, which started in 2021, so far. I will scatter links to my previous posts. In comparison, What If is, unfortunately, the weakest of all published so far. But, of course, one of the biggest reasons for this was the expectation created. Setting off with an idea where there is no limit to imagination and stories, What If does not make its story choices very impressive and wastes its immense potential. I would like to explain why and how it happened, section by section, with short notes.
The first episode of What If… What If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger? It was successful as a pilot episode. I have to say that I found the idea quite impressive and, more importantly, well executed. Handling is everything. From the dialogue to the action, the flow was fantastic. We’ve seen that Peggy Carter could very well be a Captain America. If possible, I would like to watch it as live-action, not animation. Of course, encountering such an enjoyable story from the first episode gave me hope for the upcoming episodes. But these hopes were unfortunately in vain.
The second episode of the series What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord? Unfortunately, it’s the worst of the 9 episodes by far. They combined the worst characters that could be connected in a parallel-universe-mania where you can have unlimited ideas. The fact that Black Panther is Starlord is terrible and unnecessary, both visually and in terms of the operation and action of the episode. I don’t think I can write anything more on it.
The third episode of the series What If… The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes? It’s good as an idea, but I think it’s pretty weak with its finale. Unfortunately, the fact that the subject is based on “my daughter is dead, I am taking revenge” makes the story weak. Too cliche. The only good thing about the episode is the idea that it laid the foundation, that is, the Avengers team dying one by one. The death parts were quite enjoyable, which is the only thing that saves the episode and makes it better than the second one. Iron Man dies here for the first time. Note that. We will count.
The fourth episode of the series, What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands? is not an episode that I like very much, but it’s enough for me as it gives me a little Castlevania vibe. Although the idea is good and offers a complete visual feast, I did not like this part compared to most of you since I did not get the mania I expected. So I didn’t enjoy it much. Obviously, I must not have felt enough of Doctor Strange’s love in the movies because it didn’t appeal to me as much as a Captain America Peggy relationship.
The fifth episode of the series What If… Zombies?! Although it is a top-rated episode, unfortunately, it remains just a visual feast because it did not establish the foundation correctly. The fact that all the characters in the episode are beings who can think and still use their powers empties the “zombie” legend. Because being a zombie means you are a brainless and random walker. In other words, I only looked at the episode as a good action since it hosts beings that I cannot accept as zombies. And to be honest, I enjoyed it. Iron Man appears dead before us, which means he dies again.
What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? the sixth episode of the series, was one of the worst of the 9 episodes. I tried to evaluate this episode, which looks like a replica of the cliché spy movies released yearly in Hollywood. Coincidentally, it was like the superhero of Without Remorse, another Michael B. Jordan movie released this year. Choosing Killmonger among all the universes is a disaster, in my opinion. Iron Man dies here again. What did you want from the man?
What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? the sixth episode of the series, was one of the worst of the 9 episodes. I tried to evaluate this episode, which looks like a replica of the cliché spy movies released yearly in Hollywood. Coincidentally, it was like the superhero of Without Remorse, another Michael B. Jordan movie released this year. Choosing Killmonger among all the universes is a disaster, in my opinion. Iron Man dies here again. What did you want from the man?
The eighth and by far the best episode of the series, What If… Ultron Won? It offers excellent action. I write by ignoring the disrespect towards Thanos. The fact that Ultron has all the stones but doesn’t have Thanos’s emotional side and looks purely mechanical makes Ultron much scarier. Even his armor alone is quite impressive. Ultron’s playing the destroyer, and even better, his transition between universes and his fight with the observer, was genuinely remarkable. This episode has an action that precisely answers the What If question and keeps the spirit of Multiverse Madness alive.
The ninth and last episode of the series, What If… The Watcher Broke His Oath? was quite enjoyable, though not as much as the eighth episode. The downside is, of course, Starlord and Killmonger. What made the Avengers team special was the right choice of characters. While this new Avengers team is visually pleasing, they’re not that fun, in essence. I can’t figure out why the two ridiculous characters were there. Also, I had to put up with the ultra-childish Thor. But the episode was enough, thanks to Peggy and Gamora.
Bottom line… What If actually has an infinite parallel universe that has no limits. You can go crazy even thinking about the things you can do. I think it’s a failure to go and combine Black Panther with Starlord when there is a series of 20-more movies and a massive collection of comics. While the audience expects crazy things from you, choosing Killmonger, making him attack “Wakanda,” is a choice that can be explained by a disaster. I enjoyed it in 2-3 episodes, but in general, What If was a weak and unsuccessful work that never used its potential.
Cast & Crew
director: Bryan Andrews
USA | 2022 | 9 EPISODES |