In what is hardly the most shocking news anyone may read all day, there’s a new Marvel Cinematic Universe entry on Disney Plus, and people generally like it. Those who saw early review screenings of the first three episodes, at least. But perhaps because the first wave of Marvel reviews tends to trend ecstatic across the board, it’s noteworthy that not everyone offers unequivocal praise. Then again, What If…? is an anthology show, and all such things have some episodes better than others. Here are some of the first What If…? reactions:
Writers who are usually Marvel fans mostly seem onboard, with several making comparisons to possibly the greatest anthology genre show of all time. That’s right, The Twilight Zone.
I’ve watched the first three episodes of Marvel’s #WhatIf and I’m hooked. Each episode is better than the last w/ the third being my favorite. Love how they take a story we know by heart & twist it in all kinds of ways. It’s like the MCU’s Twilight Zone – weird, wild, good fun pic.twitter.com/PQ9deD1Yyl
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) August 1, 2021
Watched the first three episodes of #WhatIf this week. Impressed with what’s basically Marvel’s version of the Twilight Zone, they make some bold, out there decisions that I don’t think you’d get away with in live action and I’m looking forward to seeing things Get strange (1/2)
— Tom Percival (@twpercival1) August 1, 2021
.@Marvel‘s #WhatIf is a fascinating and incredibly satisfying look at what might have been. When I did my show with @StanLee, he once told me that he loved thinking about other ways stories could have gone. It made me think of him. That’s the best compliment I can ever give. pic.twitter.com/gmpuext3g5
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) August 1, 2021
But there are some misgivings. In the category of “some episodes better than others,” viewers prefer the bigger swings.
#WhatIf is fun and the animation itself is terrific, but the more it veers away from familiar MCU storytelling (ep 3) and the less it just retells a known MCU origin, simply flipped through the perspective of a different character (Ep2), the better.
— Rodrigo Perez (@YrOnlyNope) August 1, 2021
I got to see the first three episodes of #WhatIf. This is probably the most “made for TV” concept of the #Marvel #DisneyPlus shows so far. The animation is pretty good, but it’s a style that takes a minute to settle into. Nice, brisk, 30 minute episodes. pic.twitter.com/FUTxBhvEyB
— Kａiｔlyn Βоｏｔｈ(@katiesmovies) August 1, 2021
RELATED: Marvel Legends What If…? Wave Mixes Animated and Realistic Styles
And the decision to mostly use the actual movie stars rather than trained voice actors, while seemingly a fan-friendly choice, doesn’t work for everyone.
#WhatIf is… fine? Has tons of fun ideas on what these familiar stories could be. Has crazy easter eggs that will send fans into a frenzy. Animation feels stiff at times but really comes to life when the action ramps up. What really makes me scratch my head is the voice work.. pic.twitter.com/elAvKywU1O
— Charles Villanueva (@cfsvillanueva) August 1, 2021
Marvel’s #WhatIf offers compelling twists on the #MCU along with stylish animation and outstanding action. However, the abridged storytelling creates a disjointed feeling, and lacks the Marvel magic and heart of the movies. Plus, many MCU stars are not great voice actors.
— Ethan Anderton (@Ethan_Anderton) August 1, 2021
Expect more reactions next weekend, when the second wave of press gets to see these episodes.
What do you expect from What If..? Let us know in comments!
Recommended Reading: What If? Classic: The Complete Collection Vol. 1
