Marvel's What If...?

What If…? hasn’t lost any of its sense of fun, and its bizarre MCU mash-ups are cleverer than before. But the show’s gradual reveal of an overarching storyline is starting to become too predictable. .... It’s nothing that a Marvel fan should turn their nose up at just yet, but it is more of a “try to act surprised” holiday gift than a “how did you know?!” holiday gift.

What If…?’s second series is witty, inventive, and may even be an improvement on the first.

What If…? is a fun exploration of alternate versions of the MCU, with animation that does a good job of conveying the action that’s baked into the MCU recipe.

"What If...?" might be the most Marvel Comics thing that Marvel Studios has done, translating the what-might-have-happened-if comic-book concept from page to screen, with all its geekiness intact. The highly stylized animation and access to key actors enhances the fun, creating an extremely logical Disney+ add-on to an increasingly packed multi-verse.

The series sticks to more or less the same formula, with a deeply entertaining batch of episodes burdened with the glorious purpose of capping the series off in a satisfying way.

Marvel Studios’ first animated series is a stylish narrative experiment with fun twists and surprises — nothing more, nothing less. For the uninitiated, it’s impenetrable.

What If…? is competently made. Like the majority of Marvel Studios’ product, though, it refuses to take any real risks. The action is loud when it needs to be loud, fast when it needs to be fast. But the dialogue is dreary and witless; the animation – 3D graphics styled to look 2D – all too stiff and inexpressive. ... Perhaps the biggest problem has to do with the storytelling. All three of the early episodes have plenty of plot, but no narrative.

Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good! What If?!!

I love that we live in a time where shows like this exist. Back in the day, they'd never dream of using budget up for "what if" scenarios with their characters and storylines. Marvel's What If? is a fun, interesting look at what it would look like if certain significant MCU events happened differently. Your enjoyment of the episode thus depends upon whether they chose a hero/event that interests you. In my experience, mostly they didn't, especially true in Season 2. Regardless, I will watch these when they release but I never expect to be blown away. The comedy is done well, with funny in-jokes that do actually land. I also think the scene with the Watcher realising Vision is talking to him to be really creepy & solid stuff, I'd like to see them do more like that.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

What If? Season 1 has a gem or two inside it, but it's largely a boring retelling with some embarrassingly low lows and character assassinations.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]