As a long-time Marvel fan who’s seen my fair share of comic book adaptations, I must confess that Agatha All Along left me feeling more dismayed than delighted. After the captivating performances and intriguing narrative twists of WandVision, this spin-off felt like a letdown, much like an undercooked waffle on a Saturday morning.
In 2021, Disney+ kicked off its extensive lineup of Marvel Cinematic Universe content with the entertaining series “WandVision,” which delved into various eras of television sitcoms. A standout feature was Agatha Harkness (played by Kathryn Hahn), who began as a nosy neighbor but turned out to be the unexpected villain. Her identity was revealed in the catchy tune, “Agatha All Along.” This song became quite popular and even inspired a TV show centered around it, with Agatha as the main character. Following Wanda’s imprisonment of Agatha in a TV-style penal institution, we find ourselves in a true crime police procedural thriller. However, Agatha soon discovers that nothing is as it seems.
From a devoted fan’s perspective, the first four episodes of Agatha All Along appear to set up an underwhelming series. If one was searching for clear indications of the MCU’s quality waning or Disney+ TV shows falling short, this could be the prime example. It’s not hard to find criticism about this miniseries, such as “no one asked for it.” However, this argument isn’t particularly compelling because the same can be said for many movies and shows that get produced. What truly matters is whether the entertainment meets its expectations. Unfortunately, I feel this one doesn’t quite hit the mark.
The series initially immerses viewers in a police drama by thoroughly establishing each character, much like WandaVision’s portrayal of Westview residents playing various roles in sitcoms. However, it offers a fresh take on television genres. Notably, some characters from WandaVision reappear in this show as well. Additionally, Aubrey Plaza appears in one of her upcoming projects scheduled for release in September. The other two projects are titled “My Old Ass” and “Megalopolis.” With such a busy schedule, it’s no surprise that Plaza consistently captivates audiences with her charismatic screen presence whenever she makes an appearance.
Initially, I found it challenging to understand the reason behind this story in the MCU. It appeared as though the team behind WandaVision were enjoying themselves so much during production that they decided to collaborate again. However, the first episode cleverly lifts the veil slightly earlier than expected. We soon realize that the sitcom setup is merely a disguise for underlying events, and there are many mysteries yet to unravel. From this point onward, the series skillfully incorporates humor by highlighting how everything Agatha encounters might not be genuine, and it thrives on a powerful central performance.
As a devoted fan, I’d say Hahn is simply brilliant and hilarious on screen, making the most of every moment. Her charisma is undeniable and she can single-handedly carry a show like this one. However, the choice to make Agatha the protagonist feels a bit off. After all, she was the antagonist in the original series and it seems that Agatha All Along doesn’t seem to be exploring a redemptive arc for her character. Instead, Agatha is set on taking The Witches Road with other witches, which they believe will grant them their deepest desires, but at a potential price. Since Agatha was portrayed as a villain with questionable intentions, it’s hard to rally behind her and hope for the best.
Indeed, Agatha is keen on regaining her magical abilities, yet her intended use remains uncertain, and it’s not a revelation worth anticipating. The series offers some enjoyable scenes featuring the fresh character, Teen, portrayed by Joe Locke. Teen adds an extra element of enigma, as his origins and past are mostly undisclosed. One area where the storytelling falters is the introduction of additional witch characters. Although efforts are made to provide a motive for each to join Agatha on her journey, there’s insufficient emotional depth to engage viewers in their stories.
Beyond doubt, Agatha All Along consistently aims to tickle your funny bone. The series intends to offer a quirky, zany take on the MCU, providing an unusual perspective for some viewers. However, I personally found every humorous attempt to be as unsuccessful as a comedian bombing on stage. While Marvel productions are known for their humor, even non-comedy films in the MCU can elicit hearty laughter. Sadly, these first four episodes failed to evoke a single chuckle from me. At its peak, the show is somewhat monotonous with occasional amusing moments, and at its lowest, it feels like an overzealous ’80s music video that’s weighed down by too much narrative surrounding the music.
The humor in this show often falls flat, and the dramatic moments lack depth. Despite some characters going through troubling situations, you don’t really feel sympathy for them as a well-written series would make you do. Instead, we have a self-centered protagonist who consistently makes poor decisions. Agatha Hahn is the only appealing aspect of the show due to her captivating acting performance. On paper, she doesn’t hold much interest. Unfortunately, even Alison Plaza gets overshadowed by the ensemble in this production. One particular scene from episode 4 is so silly that it seems more fitting for a low-budget ’80s video tape than a modern series.
Despite my desire to appreciate this series, I’m hesitant to endorse it. The show repeatedly portrays witches as constantly complaining about stereotypes, such as their green skin and broomstick riding. It had the potential to explore comedic or dramatic aspects of being a misunderstood group, but instead, it seems to focus solely on repeating these complaints. The story often feels like a shallow excuse for characters to traverse grand sets, don vibrant costumes, and perform songs, rather than delving into their struggles and the impact of discrimination. As an avid Marvel Cinematic Universe fan, I find it difficult to recommend this one at the moment.
SCORE: 4/10
According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a rating of 4 means “Poor.” In my experience, the drawbacks significantly overshadowed the few bright spots, making it quite a challenge to engage with the piece.
Disclosure: ComingSoon received screeners for our Agatha All Along review.
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2024-09-19 04:10