WandaVision

When I first learned that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was expanding into TV shows alongside its movies, I was initially skeptical of the idea, especially after hearing that the series would be on Disney’s newest streaming platform Disney+. I felt as if Disney was trying to take advantage of its fan base by making movies or shows that people would want to see due to impressive visual effects but did little in terms of story building or characters like they did with the Star Wars sequel trilogy. I was even more skeptical when I saw the trailer for the first MCU television series, WandaVision. It was confusing to me as to how two Avengers, Scarlett Witch and Vision, were living in a 20th century setting.

WandaVision was released on January 15, 2021. I came across reviews of the show on Youtube with several people praising the show. After watching the first four episodes of the show, it can be safe to say that the MCU has succeeded in their first television series. WandaVision explains the 20th century sitcom feel of the show with several dark tonal shifts, and unsuspecting plot twists that make you want to watch the next episode to find out why something happened the way it did.

MCU’s First Television Series

As the series leads the audience through the twists, Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlett Witch) and Paul Bettany (Vision) give outstanding performances. The chemistry and character of their relationship from the MCU films is still present in the series and viewers are able to understand their struggle as they try to settle in their new home while trying to hide their superpowers from their neighbors. “It’s very unique and because of that it draws you in with all the plot twists,” said USF student Lizzy Tuck. The first three episodes of the series pay homage to famous 20th century sitcoms such as Leave it to Beaver or The Brady Bunch while incorporating the MCU style into those episodes.

On the weekend its first episode was released, WandaVision had 1.6 million households watching, according to Samba TV. The weekend debut had a higher viewership rating than the season two premiere of The Mandalorian, which had 1.04 million households watching. With the high viewership and praise the series has had so far, many believe that the future of the MCU will take place on Disney+ “I really hope the MCU takes place on Disney+ and I hope they play other characters into the show,” said USF student Jonathan Garcia. WandaVision will continue its season one release until nine episodes on March 5, which is when the MCU will begin its next series, Falcon and Winter Soldier.

A Review of “Soul”: A Life Deconstructed

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

By: Rodolfo Perez Staff Writer

The premise of Pixar’s 2020 film Soul is to answer a seemingly dense question that I initially could not see being included in a film that is geared towards children. The question is very simply, “How do we find meaning in our lives?” We are introduced to Joe Gardner, a middle aged man living in New York City aspiring to become a jazz musician. After delivering a great audition, he is invited to perform with Dorothea Williams, a well known jazz artist. However, his unbelievably good day comes to a startling halt as he experiences a near death fall that results in his soul leaving his body. Rather than moving “toward the light,” Joe mistakenly gets labeled as a mentor for souls that have not found their “spark” yet. He gets paired up with 22, a stubborn soul played by the witty Tina Fey, and the two find themselves in a conflict of intentions. This conflict arises when Joe tries to find his way back to his body and 22 mistakenly gets stuck in Joe’s body instead. While Joe is trying to find a way back to his body, 22 is trying to avoid leaving their metaphysical existence in exchange for a physical life.

One of the most profound aspects of Soul is the statement that it makes about the connection between passion and the meaning of life. Throughout the film, all the time and effort Joe spent working towards his dream is presented in front of him. We see the holidays he has missed, the lack of intimacy and affection that is present in his life and the fact that his work is often met with criticism from family and friends. It is here that Joe enters into a state of existential dread. He asks himself, “Is my dream possible,” and if it is, “Is it worth the pain and isolation?” Those questions are ultimately answered in the film's emotional and enchanting climax, which personally left me shedding a few tears as it played out.

Soul introduces a heavy topic in a way that makes it accessible to all audiences. It never strays from its depth but it also does a good job of keeping things light through the use of some funny jokes and references made throughout the film. My only criticism of Soul is the same criticism I have for films made by Disney. I always get an uneasy feeling whenever I see a Black leading character (a rare occurrence when looking at the history of protagonists used in Disney films) lose their bodily autonomy in order to move the plot forward and provide some comedic relief. We have seen this done in other Disney films like The Princess and The Frog and it just seems like a dated concept at this point.

Ultimately, Soul is a great film that has the ability to captivate all audiences and is one of the films of 2020 that I found genuinely moving due its themes and plots. The freeform musical score and exceptional cinematography help create vibrant realms of reality that will leave young audiences excited for what life will provide and older audiences more appreciative of what life has given them.