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Ms. Marvel (2022)
Cultural Assimilation Done Well
The coming of age television series, Ms. Marvel, follows Kamala Khan as she learns about both her past and her newfound powers. While most attempts at fusing two cultures have come off as forced or naive, Ms. Marvel seamlessly fuses the two. The show was able to shine a light on different cultures and communities while still adhering to the larger MCU fanbase. The set and costume designers, as well as the directors, did a fantastic job of bringing to life Kamala's home and community. Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan was a bubbly fun character to follow, and the supporting cast welded around her well. Unfortunately, Ms. Marvel does suffer from the same issues plaguing its counterpart shows, as the 6 episode structure forces the ending to be quite rushed. The villain arc was also rather underwhelming. However, overall, the show still puts front a compelling and fun arc for Kamala Khan and introduces her thoroughly to the broader MCU.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
Another Disney+ Cash Grab
Obi-Wan Kenobi, directed by Deborah Chow, is yet another addition to the Star Wars Universe through Disney's premier streaming service. The long-awaited television series that has been delayed for almost two years is finally here, and it is surprisingly undercooked and rushed. The series starts on a strong footing with the continuation of Kenobi's angst and the introduction of an exceptionally well-casted Leia Organa. However, as we meet their adversaries, things take a turn for the worst. The show begins to follow Reva, a new inquisitor, instead of the main protagonist, as Reva seemingly has the most screen time. While this decision was alarming, it was the character of Reva herself that ruined a large portion of the scenes. The character was highly irritating and, at many times, bit off more than she should be able to chew. This, coupled with her predictable arc, took me out of the Star Wars Universe many times, especially during the final act. The watch wasn't made any better by the shaky camera work, poor visual effects, and the shockingly abysmal music that is usually a strong suit for Star Wars. While the scenes with Hayden Christensen were refreshing, they came too few and far between. Overall, Obi-Wan Kenobi was an underwhelming and unnecessary addition to the universe that came across more like a fan film than a Lucasfilm production.
Invincible (2021)
Refreshing Take on the Superhero Genre
Prime Video's Invincible is the newest stab at the superhero genre. The animated TV series takes a much more realistic and dark take on the infamous Superman character, as the show forces one to question the morality and motives of the main superhero, Omni-Man. The main character, Mark Grayson, struggles to balance his duties as a rising superhero with his schooling and relationships as he comes of age. This conflict culminates in him having to choose his family or friends. Due to the All-Star cast, the side characters have extremely well-fleshed-out arcs without hovering over them for too long. Mark's love interest Amber Bennett was the only blemish on an otherwise impeccable first season. The character doesn't seem to have any apparent growth throughout the season, and she comes across as quite stuck up and self-centered.
I am looking forward to the next two seasons and have already started reading the comics.