Marvel’s newest series, Falcon and the Winter Soldier began streaming on Disney+. Hopefully, this first episode was just a ‘blip’ as else we will all be dust by the finale.
Starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, the Falcon and the Winter Soldier respectively; the two companions to Chris Evans‘ Captain America. The episode itself sees the two supporting heroes deal independently with the loss of their mentor from Avengers: Endgame.
With Captain America passing down the title, and shield to Mackie’s Sam Wilson at the end of Avengers: Endgame. We now meet him conflicted with grief and responsibility. Intercut with scenes of action, we see Falcon refuse to accept this title, handing power to the government-run S.H.I.E.L.D. Juxtaposed with scenes of Falcon, the hero, flying through the air, saving an American patriot with information on a terrorist organisation. Interestingly, at this point is where the show is at its best.
Reminiscent of the intense action scenes from Mission Impossible: Fallout, Falcon and the Winter Soldier felt alive at this point. The two characters conflicted between returning to normality and trying to be a hero. GoPro footage was used to create gut-wrenching realism through vertigo interplayed with hyperbolic sci-fi. It was impressive and had me hooked. However, as soon as it had me hooked, I was disinterested.
Understandably Marvel couldn’t keep up this action thrilled momentum throughout. However, when WandaVision was able to grip audiences with its genre-bending premise, I was disappointed Falcon and the Winter Soldier wasn’t able to do more.
Especially when as the episode continues the story ultimately shows Falcon dealing with debt, and the Winter Soldier trying to date. There is no scene where you ever see Falcon and the Winter Soldier despite the title.
Falcon and the ISA
Of course, it tries to establish a narrative for the remaining five episodes. One that will no doubt see these mourning sidekicks form a union. However, we also saw Falcon beg for a mortgage during a substantial chunk of the first episode. Though, it did introduce a terrorist organisation with access to the Super Soldier serum who believed Thanos was right. For context, this is an exact replica of Captain America: The Winter Soldier though replacing the nazi organisation for Thanos.
Interestingly, COVID caused a postponement to production for Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Despite the fact that Falcon and the Winter Soldier was scheduled for release before WandaVision, it had to be delayed. Had they released this first, I personally doubt that audiences would’ve stuck with the rest of the show or WandaVision for that matter. Thankfully Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany made WandaVision a success. I am sure that this reassured us Marvel can do great TV as well as films.
Though if this is the way the remaining episodes of Falcon and the Winter Soldier are going, I really won’t bother caring until the finale.
Episodes of Falcon and the Winter Soldier are available to stream every Friday on Disney+.
