Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe charges ahead with the new Disney+ series “Loki.” The show follows the primary villain from the original Avengers film and adopted brother to Thor, in an out-of-this-world adventure bound only by time itself. Featuring a storyline intertwined within the laws of space-time, Loki must embark on a journey to save himself from the universe’s timekeepers.
As the first episode of “Loki” unfolded, I could not help but wonder how similar it was compared to Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy”, a show deeply connected with time and the consequences one must endure if time were ever altered. Nonetheless, I feel most fans will overlook this plot repetition seeing as it was only the first episode and the project is in Marvel’s hands, a place where the predictable tends to be quite unpredictable.
After “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and Winter Soldier” delivered pulverizing yet somber performances, it was only right that “Loki” threw in some laughter. The light tone helped carry the episode’s darker moments as Loki evaded death on several occasions.
The first episode began with a very informational concept seeking to brief viewers on the world the show is building. At times this world-building felt very slow and lackluster, expending 20 minutes worth of content into a 45-minute episode. This, however, is not a determining factor for how the show will continue, seeing that a substantive enactment was developed in the last few seconds of the first episode. This plot will carry the majority of the episodes to follow.
Coupled with the show’s personable humor is an all-star cast to lead the forefront of the series. Headlined by Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson, the show’s cast truly projects charm and charisma into every character portrayed. I fully expect to see Owen Wilson amount to all the glory Marvel has to offer as the show moves forward.
The multiverse has been teased in several past and upcoming projects like “WandaVision”, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, and “Spiderman: No Way Home”. Each of these projects has something to do with the multiverse, yet not many viewers understand what it is. This is where “Loki ” comes into play, exploring the concept and how “variants” in time cause disruptions better known as multiversal time variations.
The show coming out now creates a perfect segue into Marvel films with “Black Widow” kicking off the film slate for phase four at the beginning of July. With the ground laid for such splendor and absolute fun, “Loki” is sure to win the hearts of American viewers throughout the next month.
“Loki” is available to stream on Disney+.