In ‘WandaVision’ Action Meets Sitcom in a Charming, Captivating Way
By Jessica Mick
It’s Wanda. It’s all Wanda, Captain Rambaeu says. Manipulating reality, using telekinesis, and controlling everything. “WandaVision” offers a closer look into the lives of two Avengers, who aren’t normally the main characters of Marvel films, while exploring their grief, love, and struggles.
Avengers Wanda Maximoff and Vision, an advanced android with human consciousness, are just beginning their life as newlyweds in Westview, NJ, just weeks after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”
Admittedly, I am not a big fan of the Marvel franchise, but this first original series, released on Disney Plus, caught my attention for its distinct style, switching between the form of a sitcom and an action show with a captivating story line. “WandaVision” takes a fresh approach to showing the life of an Avenger when she’s off duty.
The limited series, starring Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda) and Paul Bettany (Vision), begins as a sitcom set in the ’50s that draws inspiration from shows like “I Love Lucy” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
Her hair, outfit, and the black-and-white set for their home all look like they are straight out of the fifties. Every episode sets the sitcom in a new decade with the appearance of the people and town changing along with it.
The vibes are warm, and it feels almost too good to be true, probably because it is. The couple’s life appears picturesque as Vision goes to work, looking like a regular human, and Wanda becomes involved with the local ladies social club.
Vision was killed in a previous Avengers movie, so him being alive causes confusion for all Marvel fans. Vision’s presence is the first indication that there is something strange going on in Westview.
The fourth episode marks a turning point in the series when the show becomes more than just the sitcom. Wanda begins noticing things like her name being spoken through a radio and a small colorful drone landing in their front yard.
The attention to detail in post production only adds to the viewing experience. When the setting finally shifts from Westview to the outside world, the size and shape of the screen changes from that of a classic sitcom to be wide-screen.
Then the audience learns that the entire town of Westview is living in an alternate reality created by Wanda through her ability to manipulate matter and space. On the outside agents of S.W.O.R.D., short for the Sentient World Observation and Response Department, work to figure out what is really going on and how to get the people of Westview out of Wanda’s control.
If this sounds confusing, that is because it is. No one knows why Wanda is holding the town under her control or how Vision is alive again. Despite all of this, the creators intentionally make Wanda sympathetic while showing the struggles of a woman grieving the recent loss of her husband, only adding to the pain of losing her parents and brother when she was younger.
There will definitely be moments of confusion following the second episode of the series without having seen the previous Marvel movies because the show does not give enough context to understand major plot lines.
The storytelling approach is one-of-a-kind through its half sitcom, half typical-Marvel cinematic experience. “WandaVision” differs in how it captures the warmth of beloved TV shows throughout the decades, while contrasting that against the usual Marvel vibe.
One of the greatest strengths is the series format, rather than a two-hour movie. Unlike previous Marvel movies, this allows Wanda to take center stage for several episodes giving viewers a more intimate understanding of who she is.
Ultimately, “WandaVision” succeeds where other Marvel movies fail. It goes beyond action and superheroes. Wanda is relatable and becomes someone to root for. Her grief-induced reality shows more of a character often overlooked by storytellers in the past. This allows her to be more than just a hero, but also a regular person.
WandaVision
★★★★☆
Rated PG. Original release date: Jan 15. Available on DisneyPlus with subscription.
