REVIEW: MS. MARVEL - Season 1

4/5

The Marvelous Ms. Marvel.

6 Episodes. Starring: Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Rish Shah, Saagar Shaikh, Aramis Knight, Laurel Marsden, Arian Moayed, Alysia Reiner, Mehwish Hayat, Fawad Khan, Mohan Kapoor, Zenobia Shroff & Nimra Bucha. Created By: Bisha K. Ali. 

Blinding lights like that absolute banger from The Weeknd, making this trailer explode on to our smartphone screens, moved across Marvel's iconic title comic scroll. And world building from that very moment, you just knew 'Ms. Marvel' was going to be different. And she and the show from runner Bisha K. Ali (of 'Loki' and the American adapted 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' series) really are. A knockout with a huge fist, bigger than the Hulk...at least for a moment. Breaking more walls than 'Deadpool', as words, feelings and animated comic iconography streamed across the screen as you watched on Disney + on the same day as Ewan McGregor's 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' of 'Star Wars' fame. Ms. Marvel translates typography and traditions across her signature from college in Jersey City, all the way to her Muslim roots in Pakistan. Hallowed history lessons meet modern art on the streets for closing credits that will compellingly capture you like no other in Easter Egg comic reference. All the way to the best Marvel post-credits scene tease in years...but alas, we've already said too much. How about the other reveal to the electric guitar? This Marvel will shock and awe you like the cutout banner of Kamala Khan herself, sitting atop a sign welcoming you to New Jersey, above the turnpike like a lampost. One that probably had more people swerving in their cars than that classic Janet Jackson album advert in black and white that, forget the Superbowl breaking the Internet, caused more crashes than the stock market. Hold on. This show is so Jersey, boy, like Springsteen. It even has many a reference to hometown hero Bon Jovi and a hilarious response. But when this show truly goes home, that's when it stands on an electric platform all on its stepping stone own. 

Comic Con is a bigger deal than a line of people dressed in Burgundy. And 'Ms. Marvel's' outstanding opening episode in celebration doesn't just play flashback to the greatest hits of the avenging M.C.U. as you will hunt and chase for eggs like the White House lawn every Easter. It also pays tribute to the fandom and the legions of those who grew up looking at capes with marvel. Especially the name of our superfan turned superhero Kamala Khan, AKA, Ms. Marvel. Calling her "Light Girl" would be like calling Natalie Portman's mighty Doctor Jane Foster, "Lady Thor". Batman certainly learnt his lesson in this week's 'Love and Thunder' release. The walls of teen Kamala's bedroom are adoringly adorned with pictures, posters and fan art of Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, AKA Captain Marvel to a salute. Save a statement on a postcard you can't ignore, like it's signed, sealed and delivered message, "my body, my choice." Timely and necessary. Until everyone understands. The real strength of a hero is within too. Lending a hand to a falling friend (the popular kid Lauren Marsden) at the convention as literal Ant-Man heads will roll (a firm fan favourite here and we're no shrinking violet to that), Canadian actress of Pakistani origin Iman Vellani is the right choice for Khan. Capturing the spirit of this young teenage dream which goes down as one of the best Marvel TV shows for this young Avenger to be, no cloak and dagger. Virally webbing up some youthful 'Spider-Man' spunk between the lockers with 'Hawkeye' heart for the family. A game changer that represents the culture in a massive 'Black Panther' like way ('Wakanda Forever' is the next movie, this fall), just like last years epic 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'. Taking us across the globe like 'Moon Knight'. All before 'She Hulk: Attorney at Law' makes her case for the wonder women of Marvel next month. Or 'The Marvels' to come. All as Kevin Feige throws the comic-book at you. CATCH! 

Just like an iconic "funvee" moment that rivals the cop cars caught in both 'Spider-Man 2' and 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' for your Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield multiverse. Mr. Fantastic similair arms stretched out like a kid reaching to be lifted up by their parents. But she's come of age now. In a suited up, superhero reveal after six sweet episodes of origin story show us Vellani in all her red, blue and gold glory. Iman's incredible charm and Smart's could carry the whole show in her own two hands, but she's got the whole community around her, serving as a shield. 'Pixels' star Matt Lintz (who once auditioned for Peter Parker, and you can see it) stands out in this visually creative series as the best, best friend that anyone could have. Whilst we can't wait to see more of Yasmeen Fletcher's campaign for change in the second season. Rish Shah stirs the soul as a love interest with a secret that makes it all too good to be true and Saagar Shaikh is brilliant as Kamala's brother and superhero chaperone. In Pakistan and the perfect backdrops of vibrant colour, Aramis Knight plays a soldier on her side, showing Khan how to harness the responsibility of her great power. Especially as agents Alysia Reiner and Arian Moayed (seen in 'No Way Home') are on the case and legend Nimra Bucha wants all the power for herself. But as the traditions of this shows testament take you back to a crowded train in Pakistan and a beautiful backstory between greats Mehwish Hayat and Fawad Khan, it's home where the heart of the matters and never forgetting where you come from are. And Mohan Kapoor and Zenobia Shroff are absolutely amazing as Kamala's understandably worried, but undeniably proud parents. The awe on their faces when they see just what their girl is made of is beyond beautiful. And their own wise wisdom is lessons needed with heed to be learnt. Without them, there's no Kamala. And without their love, there's no marvel as this is truly marvelous. It's the real power lying beneath the clenched fist, serving as an even bigger hand that extends an invitation to learn and love all about this world and family. You've never seen a superhero like this on screen, until now. One that looks like the whole watching world, but is anything but ordinary. And it couldn't come at a better, or more needed time. To the name, this is a real Marvel. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Captain Marvel', 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings', 'She Hulk: Attorney at Law'.