Network: Disney +

Rated: TV 14

Runtime: 6 Episodes

 

‘Falcon’ is Marvel’s most thrilling, politically-charged experience to date.

 

Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise their epic roles as the Falcon (also known as Sam Wilson) and the Winter Soldier (also known as Bucky Barnes) in Marvel’s second silver-screen release following shortly behind the debut of “Wanda-Vision.” 

It is common knowledge to all Marvel fans that Falcon and Winter Soldier are an unlikely pair, with the only common ground between the two being their late friend, Steve Rodgers/Captain America. Disclaimer: If the fact that Captain America is deceased is a spoiler to you, there is no point in watching this series, or any new Marvel release for that matter. If you aren’t caught up in the franchise, it will not be worth your time. In light of Steve’s death, the unlikely duo must team up for an adventure across the world that brings out the best and worst in the superheroes as their survival skills are put to the test.

This specific Marvel installment’s themes and overall aesthetic are the most similar 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” Audiences get the action-packed superhero drama that comes along with the high-intensity situations Marvel throws at us, but there are also more realistic themes such as race, poverty, and class in society that are so subtle at times that you just might miss it. While most MCU films arguably have political themes deeply embedded in each of their iconic superhero narratives, “Falcon-Winter Soldier,” much like “Captain America: Civil War,” embodies the societal tensions of the contemporary world we live in. Ultimately, it’s these notorious themes that keep the Marvel universe from surrendering too much to fantasy, keeping the shows and films grounded in realism despite the fictional world it paints for its audience.

If you enjoy the gritty, sometimes dark superhero action, then this MCU installment is for you. If you’re a diehard fan like me but do not care as much for the hardcore action as much as the storyline and characters, you will still enjoy this — especially if you liked both of these minor yet prominent characters in the earlier MCU installments. The witty banter between Bucky and Sam that we all know and love is still very much a key aspect to their partnership in the show, made possible by the fantastic chemistry between Mackie and Stan in real life. Both characters are wildly energetic in their own way making their relationship simply work just like it always did in the previous installments when both of these characters were more on the supporting side of the narratives.

If you love Marvel, you have probably already binged this series and more than likely loved “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” If you enjoy Marvel or superhero shows in general but have not watched it, I would definitely give it a try. However, I’ll warn you again: You absolutely have to be caught up in the franchise to thoroughly understand and enjoy everything that is going on. These storylines move quickly, leaving no room to play catch-up during an episode. I have seen pretty much every film at least two or three times and still find that I have to look up “Easter eggs” every now and then. I wanted to be able to compare this show to “Wanda-Vision” after watching both all the way through, but honestly, they are both so different and simply incomparable. However, “Wanda-Vision” is definitely more upbeat and comedic, whereas “Falcon-Winter Soldier” lingers more on the serious, dramatic side. Both are entertaining in their own way, but I think I may have enjoyed “Wanda-Vision” just a tiny bit more. I give this show a 7.5 out of 10. Every MCU installment is a masterpiece in their own way, but some we will enjoy more than others.