January of old may’ve been the dumping ground for movie studios clearing their shelves of random programmers but in 2021 the viewing game has changed.
By Michael Bergeron
Now January is as good a time as any to release some Tony prospects.
Enter “WandaVision” a stand-alone tale in nine-easy to swallow episodes from the Marvel Universe that wants to have it both ways. “WandaVision” functions as both a connecting link to previous Marvel movies and future films as well as providing a platform to expand Marvel awareness to an almost spiritual plateau.
Didn’t Vision die at the end of the last “Avengers” flick? We’re operating in an entirely different realm of reality where death doesn’t define what a character can and cannot do. Even the show’s moniker is shaped like a reincarnation of VistaVision, a type of widescreen presentation that at one point in the third episode takes prominence over the first two shows boxy black-and-white television look.
Each episodes purpose seems to advance the plot in the manner of a classic sit-com from yesteryear complete with sets that recall “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Bewitched” and “The Brady Bunch.” By the end of the third episode (which was all I was given access to) “WandaVision” has changed radically from a parody of itself and the medium into what promises to be an alternative universe full of Marvel Mayhem.
“WandaVision” premieres today on Disney +.
In today’s theatrical climate Liam Neeson is a guaranteed two-week run at Number One at the box office. Open Road previously distributed “Honest Thief” just a few months ago and today opens “The Marksman” in theaters only.
Neeson easily pulls out the requisite skills from his bag of tools as a widower rancher (ex-Marine) who lives along the border. When he witnesses a young boy attempting to cross the fence of freedom while in hot pursuit by members of a cartel he comes to the young tyke’s aid.
As far as Neeson vehicles go the film maneuvers nicely through the predictable plot points. Neeson drives the now-orphaned lad to relatives in Chicago with the cartel in hot pursuit. A little bit more character development to the bad guys would have made for a more profound thriller.
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