Disney+ - Marvel’s What If…? Season 3 : Marvel’s Animated Frontier Pushes Creativity

By Mulder, 22 december 2024

Season 3 of What If..., Marvel's animated anthology series on Disney+, marks both an exhilarating continuation and a poignant conclusion to its exploration of the multiverse. Over three seasons, the series has carved out a special place for itself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), offering fans a glimpse of alternative storylines, surprising alliances and strange new worlds. This latest season builds on that legacy, offering an ambitious but uneven narrative that delights and frustrates, often in equal measure.

Opening with the bold episode What If...the Hulk Fought the Mech-Avengers, the season soon sets the tone for what's to come. This story of Bruce Banner, gamma monstrosities and Avengers piloting Gundam-style mechs is both visually impressive and narratively ambitious. The story takes up familiar elements of Banner's struggle with his alter ego, the other, a theme largely abandoned in the live-action MCU after Thor: Ragnarok. This introspective angle is refreshing, especially as it allows Mark Ruffalo to shine as the voice of a character who has often been underappreciated in the cinematic canon.

However, while the exploration of Banner's psyche offers depth, the emphasis on mech battles detracts from the episode's emotional resonance. The giant, Voltron-like machines piloted by the Avengers are undeniably fun to watch, but they lack the gravitas to anchor the story. The result is a story that seems caught between two impulses: to provide spectacle and to offer meaningful character development. Unfortunately, the balance tips too far towards the former, leaving the latter somewhat underdeveloped.

Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, stands out as one of the most remarkable characters in this first season. As the new Captain America, Sam demonstrates his natural leadership abilities and his unique approach to heroism, based on empathy and connection. His efforts to bring Banner back into the fold are convincing, and hint at the thoughtful, complex leader he has become. Yet the episode doesn't take full advantage of this opportunity to explore Sam's character. His brief moments of vulnerability and strength are overshadowed by larger-than-life action sequences that, while entertaining, fail to deepen the emotional stakes.

What If...?'s anthological format continues to be both its greatest strength and its Achilles heel. Each episode stands on its own, allowing for a great deal of creativity and experimentation. Episodes such as What If Agatha Went to Hollywood? and What If the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier? illustrate the series' penchant for mixing genres and tones. The former, featuring Kathryn Hahn's Agatha Harkness in a 1940s Hollywood-Bollywood clash, is a delightful blend of fantasy and drama, while the latter revisits crucial moments in MCU history with a fresh perspective, placing David Harbour's Red Guardian at the center of a captivating alternate reality.

However, the anthology's structure also leads to uneven storytelling. Some episodes feel like fully realized narratives, while others feel fragmented or rushed. This inconsistency is particularly noticeable in season 3, which lacks the narrative thread of season 2. The absence of a central narrative arc allows for greater creative freedom, but also results in a disjointed visual experience. The series' decision to return to a self-contained narrative in its final season feels like a missed opportunity to provide a satisfying resolution to the overarching themes introduced earlier.

Visually, What If...? continues to excel. The animation is a marvel, blending vibrant colors, dynamic action sequences and meticulous attention to detail. Whether it's cosmic battles, Western shootouts or Bollywood dance numbers, the series exploits the medium to its full potential. The creative freedom of animation allows the series to explore scenarios that would be impossible or absurd in live-action. For example, the Hulk's Godzilla-inspired rampage and the Avengers' mech suits come to life with a level of detail and energy that underscores the limitless possibilities of animation.

Vocal performances, on the other hand, remain mixed. While actors like Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour and Seth Green bring energy and charisma to their roles, others like Anthony Mackie and Oscar Isaac struggle to meet the high demands of vocal interpretation. The decision to use live-action actors for their animated counterparts adds authenticity, but sometimes detracts from the performances. The disparity is particularly evident when certain roles are recast, with new actors often overshadowing their original counterparts.

One of the most striking aspects of season 3 is its thematic exploration. This season dives into darker, more complex territory, tackling issues such as greed, prejudice and the cost of power. Episodes like What If 1872? tackle these themes head-on, drawing parallels with contemporary societal issues. The darkness of these stories reflects the larger, cosmic issues of the multiverse, creating a sense of urgency and despair that permeates the season. While this approach adds depth, it also risks alienating viewers who prefer the lighter, more adventurous tone of previous seasons.

Despite its shortcomings, What If... ? Season 3 remains an ambitious and creative undertaking. The series continues to push the boundaries of storytelling within the MCU, offering fans a glimpse of what could be. The inclusion of lesser-known characters, unexpected pairings and bold genre experiments keeps the series unpredictable and captivating. However, its uneven execution and reluctance to fully exploit its potential leave a lingering sense of unfulfilled promise.

The final season of What If...? is a bittersweet farewell to a series that dared to be different. It reminds us of the limitless possibilities of the multiverse and the importance of asking what if...? even if the answers are imperfect. For fans of the MCU, this season is a must-see, offering both a celebration of the franchise's creativity and a reflection on missed opportunities. As the series draws to a close, it leaves behind a legacy of innovation and a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been.

Season 3 of What If... ? Season 3 embodies the duality of the series itself: a showcase of Marvel's most imaginative ideas, tempered by the limitations of its execution. It's a testament to the power of storytelling, and a bittersweet reminder that even the boldest experiments sometimes fail. But for those willing to accept its shortcomings, What If...? offers an exciting and challenging journey through the multiverse - one last time.

Synopsis :
A fascinating animated series that, by changing key events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, opens up a myriad of possibilities. “What If...?” features iconic characters from the MCU, including Peggy Carter, T'Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger and Thor.

What If...?
Created by A. C. Bradley
Based on Marvel Comics
Directed by Bryan Andrews, Stephan Franck
Voices of Jeffrey Wright
Music by Laura Karpman, Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum
Executive producers : A. C. Bradley, Bryan Andrews, Victoria Alonso, Louis D'Esposito, Kevin Feige, Brad Winderbaum, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt
Producers : Carrie Wassenaar, Danielle Costa, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Alex Scharf
Animators : Stephan Franck, Scott Wright
Editors : Graham Fisher, Joel Fisher, Anton Capaldo-Smith
Running time : 30–37 minutes
Production company : Marvel Studios Animation
Network : Disney+
Release August 11, 2021 – present