We present to you the episode-by-episode review of season 2 of What If…?: here is the review of episode 3
ORIGINAL TITLE: What If…?. TYPE: animation. NATION: United States. REGIA: A.C. Bradley. CAST: Jeffrey Wright, Karen Gillan, Jude Law, Michael Rooker, Seth Green, Taika Waititi, Michael Douglas, Hayley Atwell, John Slattery, Kurt Russell, Chris Hemsworth, Laurence Fishburne, Sebastian Stan, Atandwa Kani, Jon Favreau, Cate Blanchett, Clancy Brown, Josh Brolin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Idris Elba, Frank Grillo, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Sam Rockwell, Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo, Cobie Smulders, Tessa Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Rachel Weisz. DURATION: 20 minutes per episode. DISTRIBUTOR: Disney+. EXIT: from 22 December 2023.
It’s Christmas Eve and Happy Hogan, who plays Stark’s security officer, is preparing everything for the Christmas party which will be held in the evening, while JARVIS is taken offline for an update. The situation does not seem particularly alarming, however Justin Hammer, the famous opponent of Ironman, in this universe had much more time to plan his revenge against Tony Stark. Having snuck into Stark Tower with the intent of destroying the Avengers and acquiring superpowers thanks to Hulk’s blood, the only one left who can save the situation is Happy Hogan, who accidentally injects himself with the gamma ray serumeffectively becoming Hulk Hogan.
Another Hulk | Review What If…? 2 episode 3
In this series, as in the first, alternative futures are proposed for the most (or least) beloved characters of the Marvel cinematic universe. In the third episode of the second season there is a real Christmas Special, with the Avengers intent on enjoying Christmas. In reality it is something that has already been done, and in this case the episode is entertaining, but perhaps takes a step back compared to the first two, also because it is difficult to believe that its protagonists will have a role in the complex plan of the season . The Christmas special presents all the canons and aesthetic characteristics that are not new at Marvel, but it is impossible not to think of the comparison with another special – the Holiday Special of Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn – which acquired a completely different weight, also from a chromatic point of view.
Die Hard is a Christmas movie | Review What If…? 2 episode 3
However, numerous positive points of this episode remain, starting from the graphic animation which is of an excellent level as always. Aesthetically speaking, the transformation into a purple Hulk is special: the metamorphosis one part at a time allows you to address the relationship between the character and his superhero version, especially in the early stages of familiarization with the super power, something never done before. The pop references are always countless, which is a good and a bad thing at the same time, because too often the viewer’s attention is sought by attracting him with all too recognizable hooks. And again the tribute to a controversial Christmas film, Die Hard, It’s definitely noteworthy and a great starting idea too. However, it remains so in the development of the story which is imbued with an irony that may even make you smile but which is reiterated in a way that is all too insistent.
In short, the most classic of the transition episodes which will probably leave nothing overall and which, within its framework, has no new element to bring to the screen: it seems clear that Marvel is enough to pay homage to this or that character, with some references to classics Christmas and content with bringing the animated faces of viewers’ favorite superheroes to the screen. However, we could have expected more.
Points in favor
- Excellent graphics (especially in references to other films).
- Explore a new way to transform into the Hulk
Points against
- It gives the idea of a sterile filler
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