What If...? Season 1 (2021) Review

After 9 weeks the first season of the highly anticipated Marvel Animated Show What If? has ended and it is time for me to review it. The premise of the show looks at different universes where there have been slight alterations which cause big changes to characters and events. 

Main Character

There are so many characters here that it becomes difficult to distinguish main characters to side characters but the main thread line of the show is The Watcher voiced by Jeffery Wright. He doesn't get involved too much but Wright brings a real unique sense of calm and composure to the role that it really sells him as the Watcher of the Multiverse. If you read the reports Wright was heavily involved in crafting The Watcher and he did a fantastic job. 

Supporting Characters

This show has its emotional sequences with this being the final performance in the MCU by Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa. You can really see the love he has for this role and especially in the Star-Lord episode you see his charisma and natural care to this show and it is a great thing that we were treated to this great man getting one last ride as this character. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Strange in multiple episodes and they do a great job with his character and for me he was easily the most interesting character in this show and the episode revolving around him is the best of the show. There are other good performances from actors reprising there roles such as Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Michael B Jordan as Killmonger and Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter. Also the voice actors taking over from the film ones do a decent job too and it only sometimes takes away from the show. 

Story  

This show is incredibly episodic, every week there is different stories involving different characters from the MCU and with that comes mixed results. There are some really interesting new and fresh stories here, mainly the Doctor Strange, T'Challa Star-Lord and Finale episode, they enhance these characters and put them in interesting stories that add to there lore in the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe. But there are some stories that aren't so great, like The Killmonger and Thor episodes that don't hit the mark and feel like filler. Also with the episodic theme it feels like it is hard to get invested until they eventually bring things together later but it feels a little late. 

Script

The script is okay, there are some good dramatic moments and some chuckle worthy moments. But both are inconsistent and it feels like it changes from each episode to the next and it is a bit jarring with some cheesy dialogue which seems more aimed to a younger audience. 

Style 

The animated style looks fantastic, it really works for The Marvel Cinematic Universe and these larger then life characters. The action is buttery smooth and flows very nicely for every character and that is one of the benefits to the different types of episodes as pretty much all the characters get a chance to shine. But the pacing isn't that great, the episodes are only 30 mins long and some of them really could have done with a longer runtime to go into way more detail in the stories that are being told. 

Overall

Overall, What If...? is a good show with some fun Marvel action. The episodes range in quality but this is a must watch for Marvel fans and a fun addition to the MCU. 

Rating - 7/10