Compared to WandaVision's more experimental and surreal approach, one would think this show's "return to basics" style would be a bad thing but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, so far at least, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is shockingly restrained - sure it has bombastic action and the same production values you would expect from the company, but what's most surprising is how the show actually decides to approach the material. It's much more somber then anticipated, focusing almost entirely on the day to day lives of these characters and going into what makes them tick. PTSD, racial tensions in America, legacy, financial inequality, and the treatment of veterans are hefty topics and the show boldly jumps into them head on here.
It's not all that though, of course. The action scenes are stellar here - movie quality even - and the opening canyon scene in particular will go down as a favourite for MCU fans. Torres is a delightful new addition that adds a lot of levity to the otherwise humorless proceedings, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky continues to have a sarcastic streak to his performance that makes him wholly unique among the heroes of the franchise. Overall this is a stellar start, and I can't wait to see more.
Review by LegionWrexBlockedParent2021-03-21T01:43:00Z
Compared to WandaVision's more experimental and surreal approach, one would think this show's "return to basics" style would be a bad thing but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, so far at least, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is shockingly restrained - sure it has bombastic action and the same production values you would expect from the company, but what's most surprising is how the show actually decides to approach the material. It's much more somber then anticipated, focusing almost entirely on the day to day lives of these characters and going into what makes them tick. PTSD, racial tensions in America, legacy, financial inequality, and the treatment of veterans are hefty topics and the show boldly jumps into them head on here.
It's not all that though, of course. The action scenes are stellar here - movie quality even - and the opening canyon scene in particular will go down as a favourite for MCU fans. Torres is a delightful new addition that adds a lot of levity to the otherwise humorless proceedings, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky continues to have a sarcastic streak to his performance that makes him wholly unique among the heroes of the franchise. Overall this is a stellar start, and I can't wait to see more.