4/5
Mischief Loves Company.
6 Episodes. Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sasha Lane, Wunmi Mosaku, Tara Strong & Richard E. Grant. Creator: Michael Waldron.
"Absurd." If you use that proclamation to play a drinking game during episode one of Marvel's new 'Loki' series on Disney + then you'll need to be carried out like the late, great creator Stan Lee's favourite of his classic cameos in the Avengers sequel, 'Age Of Ultron', when he had a sip of an Asgardian drink that Thor warned would kill him. "Excelssssior!" Sign here! Can we verify how many times Tom Hiddleston's God of Mischief says that word? Because for want of a better one it's, well...absurd. Just like the 'Mad Men' suited and décor to boot setting of Odin son's solo series that sees him cheat death again...or does it?! After faking his own own in 'The Dark World' so beautifully it led to a wasted classic "NOOOOO" from Chris Hemsworth, Loki in 'Ragnarok' was briefly played by Matt Damon of all people if you can believe it. But then that arms out wicked "what did you expect" smile came back to play pantomime games with you once again. The trickster has us all fooled. All before Thanos turned his neck into a wishbone in his 'Infinity War'...in the first five minutes of the film as we upon a star hoped that wouldn't be it. Thor was gagged from giving one of his trademark death cries as Josh Brolin declared, "no resurrections this time" to his "undying" parlour tricks. But he'll never be a God and fans had their fingers crossed that this wouldn't be it. And then in one epic 'Endgame' flashback that turned into a maddening multiverse path that Marvel fans hopes turns into a few strands of Spider silk and not cobwebs to their fan theories, in a melee of coronaries and people having to take the stairs Loki disappeared with a cube...and we aren't talking about Rubix. Now in altered colours of dimensions reshuffling (this is the Loki fresh off the battle of New York from 'Avengers Assemble' masked up (it goes all the way over the nose people) after impersonating Cap again hilariously) and explained to you by a bygone era animated clock that could give the 'Jurassic Park' dino DNA a run for its strand of exposition we are here in the time of the TVA (Time Variance Authority) that looks like the logo of an old airline (and how about that DB Cooper reference up in the air?) or broadcasting company as this Disney plus exclamation looks to crash Loki's multiplying mischief party with none other than the 'Wedding Crashers' very own Owen Wilson (he's out favourite) armed with his "talky-talk" trademark whisper tone, but without his legendary blonde mullet. WOW!
'WandaVision' was wonderful and 'The Falc...Captain America and The Winter Soldier' was a flag changer, but this is the variant. Forget a Steve Rogers 'Captain America' series following him as he restores the Infinity Stones each episode (even though we hope that's what Chris Evans has signed up for). They're paperweights anyway. How about Loki hunting his doppelganger? Now that's a great body double of work like America's ass. Gender fluid and having their way with everybody, Loki is anything but low-key. You can't cage him. That dog collar just makes him even more of a hound. Looking the business in just a shirt and tie. Didn't we learn from 'The Avengers' that when you put him in prison this is exactly where he wants you to have him? And remember this IS that very same Loki of mere minutes ago Miss. As soon as the iconic Marvel logo intro turns green and gold like Lianne La Havas it's on. But who else is wearing the horns like a classic reindeer games (yes, we know all the world knows in social media reveal, but our reviews avoid spoilers for those prunes doing the same)? As a case of Shakespeare in the park turns into a renaissance fair, before the dial of the time machine takes us back to the future and the 'Ragnarok' apocalypse of Pompeii. Giga what? So much madness and mayhem. But yet so much fun from this fond scamp. You'll be shouting for "ANOTHER" episode like throwing your cup, or Easter Egg on the floor. Now is this a Greek wedding or St. Patrick's Day dying Lake Michigan Loki green? As one point we get to hear Hiddleston sing an Irish folk song and in the words of another comic-book villain, "that's a lovely, lovely voice." When this show starts feeling like Doctor Who meets 'The Book Of Eli' in a place that's like Madripoor (now canon, thanks new Cap) meets Vormir for episode three, even the blind can see its time to hop in the Tardis, Lord.
Jet-ski's, cattle-prods, multi-verses and something bogus that looks like an 'Excellent Adventure'. The less we say about the next episode like Dr. Dre featuring Snoop and Nate Dogg ("HOLD UP!"), the better (hell yeah). The more we go forth with chapter four, the more we'll spoil. So we won't. Just like the purpose of the perfect, penultimate episode and its massive, mesmerizing Easter Egg hunt. Epic like the end (which will please those who took their pitchforks out for 'WandaVision' on social media all because of a CGI (she's a witch) finale that still had heart for their most groundbreaking show) and enchanting in its glorious realms. All we will say is in terms of stakes, set-pieces and cliffhanger conclusions that you know aren't the end like waiting around post-credits (NOW it's worth your wait), there has barely been a better episode, series or Marvel moment for your shock and absurd ("if it's all the same to you. I'll have that drink now"). Its 'Nexus Level Event' worthy indeed. 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse Of Madness' director Michael Waldron's creative team are just amazing madness for this verse of walking Easter Eggs ready to hatch onto forums of fan theory. Hiddleston is hallmark and Wilson is his catchphrase. Together they're the buddy genre reinvented without the big hammer-head of a brother. 'Yesterday's' Sophia Di Martino is a star of the future like when The Beatles were about to step behind the curtain for Ed Sullivan. Whilst Gugu Mbatha-Raw MBE is really coming into her talent now for the best of British. Just like 'Luther' and the extended 'Ultimate Edition' (you know how Snyder loves to cut those) of 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice' actor Wunmi Mosaku is the core of this series and 'American Honey' icon Sasha Lane the catalyst (just like that of her burgeoning star power thanks to the schooling on 'The Miseducation Of Cameron Post' and 'Hellboy' to pay). Add vocal actress Tara Strong getting her minutes in like Batgirl or Harley Quinn and 'Logan' villain and Academy worthy Richard E. Grant in a role we refuse to shed light on (otherwise we'll be the ones saying 'Can You Forgive Me' like another major cameo we won't spoil...but the green apple is a great touch), then what more can you ask for when 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' stars in a 'Loki' series? I'm exited as the day he took to Twitter to announce his Oscar nomination from his old London digs. The madness of this multiverse is the real Marvel as the M.C.U.'s formula of quality control keeps churning out 4's like Loki's big brother. This however is on the same wavelength as 'WandaVision'. Pushing that once firmly sealed like the opposite of Holland and Ruffalo lips in spoiler, envelope. Get the next Emmy's ready. You don't need to say 'What If' anymore. But just wait until next month. This multi-variant gives you even more backstory than the latest 'Black Widow' movie starring Scarlett Johansson finally in cinemas after being lost in quarantined translation. Taking it back to the glass prison dynamics for your Dreykov patience. Thank you for your cooperation. Even the mewing quims will like this one. Forgiving the new TV trademark ten minute credits with no post sting's burden when they see what it finally leads to in multiple chapters and verse. Now how about that for some glorious purpose? Season 2? Vote Loki! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'WandaVision', 'Thor-Ragnarok', 'Avengers-Infinity War'.
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