Ms. Marvel is a unique MCU show in that it incorporates animated drawings into live action. A great introduction to this new hero, but not without its flaws.
The first two episodes of the MCU’s newest show, Ms. Marvel, serve as a great introduction to this new hero. Each episode is about 45 minutes long, with the first one including an end credit scene. They have action sequences, a whole lot of Arabic and Muslim representation, and some truly great effects when it comes to the use of Ms. Marvel’s powers.
Those who know Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) from Marvel comics will be pleased for the most part with her character. As many know now, her powers are a little bit different. Where she stretches in the comics, she uses energy to create things like a larger hand (a great nod to one of her favorite comic book moves) or platforms to jump onto. She calls this “hardlight” because it is light that comes out of her, and hardens. Pretty straight forward there.
Kamala is also very much a fangirl of the Avengers, and Captain Marvel in particular. This is true to her comic book counterpart’s nature, and something that has been accurately represented about her in things such as the Avengers video game as well. She is first and foremost a fan, which only makes it even cooler for her when she realizes she has superpowers.
The biggest difference besides how her powers work, is where she gets them from. She isn’t an Inhuman like in the comics, but that was to be expected as Inhumans do not currently exist in the MCU, not really anyways. The King of the Inhumans, Black Bolt, was briefly in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but Inhumans were not mentioned by name. And when it comes to that ABC show, well, we don’t’ talk about it.
Of course the show also fully embraces the fact that she is of Pakistani decent. This is evident in her home life, as well as many other details throughout the show. She goes to a Mosque, along with one of her best friends Nakia. Viewers are also let into the traditions of her family and religion, in particular in the second episode when they attend a celebration at the Mosque.
There are mentions of the Arabic language, clothing, Bollywood films, and foods, as well as discussing surrounding an upcoming wedding. It is wonderful to have this kind of representation in the MCU with a young character like Kamala. Who would have thought a Marvel series would be a great way to learn about other cultures and religions?
The storytelling style of the Ms. Marvel series is very unique. There are comic book style drawings and animations that move throughout the show, giving it a The Mitchells vs. The Machines sort of vibe. Because of this style, and the fact that Kamala is a High School girl with High School problems, Ms. Marvel feels like it was made for a younger audience. However, there a few things that make me wonder just how young like the mention of drugs and alcohol.
Still, this is certainly a show that Marvel fans of all ages can enjoy. Each of the two episodes have somewhat thrilling action scenes with great stunt choreography — the second episode’s being far bigger and better. Hopefully these continue throughout the rest of the series — and fingers crossed some of the episodes have more than just one big action sequence.
That said, considering there is just a smidge of action, this story is very much a coming of age tale first, and a superhero one second. This is part of why it feels so much like a teen/tween show, and not one geared towards adults. Still, it is quite fun to watch.
Since Kamala is a big fan of the Avengers, there are also several mentions of other Marvel heroes, as well as past events of the MCU. The story so far is quite contained, although there is an appearance from someone fans might recognize so there is potential for it to bleed out to the greater MCU.
In the second episode, Kamala’s powers are explored more in depth, although one quick montage to learn to almost master them is something we could have done without. Still, it is fun to see her come into her own, and gain a confidence that she did not have at the start of the series. There powers don’t always look great, and there is some questionable VFX choices, but they work for what they are trying to get across.
Where Ms. Marvel episode 1 is spent introducing Kamala, her family life, her school life, and her friends, episode 2 spends quite a bit of time on side storylines. It is here that the series starts to feel a bit too convoluted, and like too much is going on. This causes the pacing to be thrown off and things to get messy. However, it finds itself in the end when it settles back on Kamala and her journey.
Overall the first two episodes are a great introduction to a new-to-the-MCU character. Iman Vellani is clearly having the time of her life in this role, and is very believable as a Marvel fangirl who unexpectedly gets superpowers. Perhaps she has always been fan of the MCU so it was easy for her to relate, but either way she brings a lot of fun to this series.
Matt Lintz, who plays one of her best friends Bruno, adds some complexity to the storylines. The two have great chemistry on screen and it feels like they have been friends forever.
The unique style of Ms. Marvel is what makes it such a joy to watch. The animated drawings bring something new to the MCU, but also give the show a feeling like it is made for a younger audience. There are some great action scenes, and at the end of episode 2 a bit of a cliffhanger that will have fans begging for the next episode!
A charming teen/tween type show that is clearly made for younger members of the MCU fandom, but still enjoyable for older ones. A bit slow and too convoluted at times, but by the end of episode 2 it really picks up.
Rating: 3 out of 5
NEXT: 50+ Best Ms. Marvel Series Quotes
About Ms. Marvel
Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel” is a new, original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero megafan with an oversized imagination—particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet Kamala feels like she doesn’t fit in at school and sometimes even at home—that is, until she gets superpowers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life gets better with superpowers, right?
MS. MARVEL will air weekly on Disney+ beginning June 8, 2022.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.
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