Wandavision Reactions How Critics Are Responding To Elizabeth Olsen Show

Inpatient fans might already have an inkling of knowledge about

what will happen in the first episode of

WandaVision

and

learned what Darcy Lewis has been up to since

Thor: The Dark World

, but some critics and outlets have already seen the first three episodes of Marvel Studios’ first streaming show.

On Thursday, Steven Weintraub, the editor-in-chief at Collider,

let slip that interviews with the cast and crew from outlets would be released over the course of this weekend

.

ADVERTISEMENT

More importantly, the social media embargo for the first three episodes lift this Saturday, with the review embargo lifting on Thursday, January 14, at 9:00 am PST. The first impressions have begun pouring in for

WandaVision

and they all seem quite promising.

NEWS

Steven Weintraub

expresses his love for the first three episodes

of

WandaVision

and how it takes risks.

Have seen the first 3 episodes of #Wandavision and LOVE how big of a swing @MarvelStudios is taking with the series. The reason the #MCU is king of the hill is @Kevfeige’s amazing leadership and willingness to take risks like what you’ll see in ‘Wandavision’. pic.twitter.com/EgUUUxXudh

James Viscardi of ComicBook.com

shares his own thoughts

, saying that

WandaVision

shows

“restraint”

while still offering so much for fans.

ADVERTISEMENT

We knew #WandaVision was going to offer a much different view of the MCU, and boy does it. Much of the sitcom setup of the show makes the reality of the situation moments incredibly tense and gripping.

How #WandaVision approaches what we think is normal and what isn’t makes it an incredibly fun watch just three episodes in. I am impressed at how much it offers fans waiting for MCU content while still showing restraint.

#WandaVision offers humor, drama and suspense all in its half-hour chunks. I will say it is good the first two episodes are being offered up front as they really set up what the show is about. Marvel fans have been waiting, their patience will be rewarded.

Erik Davis, the managing editor of Fandango,

says that

WandaVision

is

“truly unlike anything Marvel Studios has done.”

Davis also says that fans will

“need to adjust their expectations"

at the lack of big action scenes typically seen in Marvel Studios productions.

I’ve watched THREE episodes of #WandaVision and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Truly unlike anything Marvel Studios has done — it’s light, funny & fully committed to its retro sitcom inspirations, but it also carefully sprinkles in enough mystery & intrigue to keep you guessing pic.twitter.com/8dqegsg5By

Fans wanting BIG action scenes may need to adjust their expectations, at least early on, but the beauty of this format is it allows room to hang out w/ characters & revel in the weirdness on display without a story that’s relying too heavily on rushing to its next major battle. pic.twitter.com/N451h2KcwO

Eric Goldman, the managing editor of Fandom,

presses that this show is

a big change of pace for Marvel Studios and other superhero stories. Goldman also mentions that the runtime for these three episodes was around 30 minutes each.

I’ve seen the first three episodes of #WandaVision and man is it my jam. If you fret that all superhero stories can feel the same, here is big proof otherwise. I found it delightfully trippy and intriguing. I love what I’ve seen so far and can’t wait to see the entire season.

The entire cast of #WandaVision is great and fully commited to the stylized approach but Elizabeth Olsen’s performance is truly outstanding and one of those “Man, if awards shows weren’t snobby about superhero stuff, she would likely get an Emmy nomination” situations.

#WandaVision is a weird way to return to the MCU (remember, it was MEANT to be the fourth project of of Phase 4) and will take some adjustment for those seeking a traditional superhero story, but I think it will grab people more and more if they accept it’s doing its own thing.

For those asking, the first three episodes of #WandaVision all run around 30 minutes, credits included, give or take a minute or two.

Charles Murphy, of Murphy’s Multiverse, gives

a very in-depth impression

, going over the performance of the actors, and more. Here are some excerpts from his reaction to the first three episodes of

WandaVision

.

ADVERTISEMENT

Olsen and Bettany are charming, hilarious and work perfectly off one another. There is real magic here between these two and it’s at its best and most noticeable when they were in front of the live studio audience. #WandaMaximoff #Wanda #TheVision

Feige, Shakman and Schaeffer deserve a ton of credit here. They don’t just pay lip service to trip through the decades, they make every effort to ground them in that time period: the audience reactions, the camera work and lighting and even the cultural sensibilities are on point

Perhaps the real treasure here is the discovery of Bettany as an A+ comedic actor. We see him do it all from corny jokes to slapstick physical bits and he pulls it all off effortlessly.#TheVision #PaulBettany

Olsen’s range as an actress is on full display. Like Bettany she’s essentially playing a different character in each episode, but it’s her ability to relay the feeling that there’s another part of her, just out of her own reach, that sells her performance. #ElizabethOlsen

She’s simultaneously elated and terrified; in control and fighting to keep it; hilarious and tragic. Olsen is a gem.#Wanda #WandaMaximoff

#WandaVision IS something you’ve never seen before but it accomplishes that by taking you places you’ve been before and playing with your notions of what should happen there. If this is what Marvel Studios TV is headed, we’re all going to be very happy for a long, long time.

Dorian Parks, who owns and runs Geeks of Color,

describes

WandaVision

as

“weird as hell,”

but in a good way and that Parks can’t wait to see how Monica Rambeau showing up will affect the plot.

Watched 3 episodes of #WandaVision and the show is weird as hell (in a good way).

Two things are clear. 1) Marvel is dedicated to parodying classic sitcoms and 2) the MCU is finally back!

Can’t wait to see how this show sets up Doctor Strange 2 and Spider-Man 3 👀 pic.twitter.com/nR6rTShfOY

My biggest takeaway, it seems like the cast had a blast filming the series. Lots of joy on screen.

I can’t say much but I’m excited to see how #Wanda and her powers play into the plot and what the arrival of #MonicaRambeau means. pic.twitter.com/q8UeVhARwF

Jill Pantozzi, deputy editor of io9 at Gizmodo,

says that the show is

“magical and hysterical.”

#WandaVision is magical and hysterical. I’m sure it’ll get there eventually but it’s also refreshingly not Marvel™.

Screened the first three episodes, which are all short but don’t feel that way, and just really enjoyed getting to experience the fun of this unique concept and execution. Marvel should lean into “different” more often. #WandaVision

Kristen Lopez, TV editor for IndieWire,

describes the two stars as

“adorable and hilarious.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Three episodes into #WandaVision and I. Am. Hooked. Not only is the series a loving recreation of classic television shows (everything beautiful), but the story is so compelling. Elizabeth Olsen & Paul Bettany are adorable and hilarious. My most anticipated didn’t disappoint! pic.twitter.com/jZVE6zIlQB

Rodrigo Perez, editor-in-chief of The Playlist,

had a less than favorable impression

of

WandaVision

, disliking the sitcom setting as a

“kinda slog.”

#Wandavision: hard to discuss, review & social review becuz only 3 eps given of a very incomplete story. Please see full thread**

Just cause it’s unique to MCU doesn’t mean it’s good. It’s fully committed to resembling a bad cheesy ‘50 sitcoma#—purposefully—& boy, kinda slog.

I believe it will get good—there are some small but powerful hints of major emotional trauma/grief*— but the first 3 eps are just goofing around w/sitcom tropes and laugh tracks to stuff not very funny or compelling.

The problem is, if I were able to see the entire thing, or experience it all in context,I bet I would like it cause I could see full story, but man it’s going to be trying for some audiences to sit through the sitcom silliness for weeks waiting for the actual story to start.

WHAT THIS MEANS

The consensus among critics is that Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany shine in their performances, actually able to stretch their acting muscles with Olsen

“essentially playing a different character each episode,”

and Bettany allowed to showcase his talent as a comedic actor. It is good to know that the trailers weren’t just for show and that Marvel Studios is committed to the sitcom setting, with one critic even warning fans that they shouldn’t be expecting much action.

ADVERTISEMENT

It certainly sounds like a big difference from anything Marvel Studios has done before or anything other studios have done with the superhero genre. It even seems like the earlier episodes will be restricted to 30 minutes, falling in line with Kevin Feige replicating the sitcom experience. At this point, it seems evident that the first six episodes for each sitcom era will be 30 minutes long, with the last three episodes being an hour-long, which would line up to six hours in total.

Inpatient fans might already have an inkling of knowledge about

what will happen in the first episode of

WandaVision

and

learned what Darcy Lewis has been up to since

Thor: The Dark World

, but some critics and outlets have already seen the first three episodes of Marvel Studios’ first streaming show.

On Thursday, Steven Weintraub, the editor-in-chief at Collider,

let slip that interviews with the cast and crew from outlets would be released over the course of this weekend

.

ADVERTISEMENT

More importantly, the social media embargo for the first three episodes lift this Saturday, with the review embargo lifting on Thursday, January 14, at 9:00 am PST. The first impressions have begun pouring in for

WandaVision

and they all seem quite promising.

NEWS

Steven Weintraub

expresses his love for the first three episodes

of

WandaVision

and how it takes risks.

Have seen the first 3 episodes of #Wandavision and LOVE how big of a swing @MarvelStudios is taking with the series. The reason the #MCU is king of the hill is @Kevfeige’s amazing leadership and willingness to take risks like what you’ll see in ‘Wandavision’. pic.twitter.com/EgUUUxXudh

James Viscardi of ComicBook.com

shares his own thoughts

, saying that

WandaVision

shows

“restraint”

while still offering so much for fans.

We knew #WandaVision was going to offer a much different view of the MCU, and boy does it. Much of the sitcom setup of the show makes the reality of the situation moments incredibly tense and gripping.

How #WandaVision approaches what we think is normal and what isn’t makes it an incredibly fun watch just three episodes in. I am impressed at how much it offers fans waiting for MCU content while still showing restraint.

#WandaVision offers humor, drama and suspense all in its half-hour chunks. I will say it is good the first two episodes are being offered up front as they really set up what the show is about. Marvel fans have been waiting, their patience will be rewarded.

Erik Davis, the managing editor of Fandango,

says that

WandaVision

is

“truly unlike anything Marvel Studios has done.”

Davis also says that fans will

“need to adjust their expectations"

at the lack of big action scenes typically seen in Marvel Studios productions.

Fans wanting BIG action scenes may need to adjust their expectations, at least early on, but the beauty of this format is it allows room to hang out w/ characters & revel in the weirdness on display without a story that’s relying too heavily on rushing to its next major battle. pic.twitter.com/N451h2KcwO

Eric Goldman, the managing editor of Fandom,

presses that this show is

a big change of pace for Marvel Studios and other superhero stories. Goldman also mentions that the runtime for these three episodes was around 30 minutes each.

I’ve seen the first three episodes of #WandaVision and man is it my jam. If you fret that all superhero stories can feel the same, here is big proof otherwise. I found it delightfully trippy and intriguing. I love what I’ve seen so far and can’t wait to see the entire season.

The entire cast of #WandaVision is great and fully commited to the stylized approach but Elizabeth Olsen’s performance is truly outstanding and one of those “Man, if awards shows weren’t snobby about superhero stuff, she would likely get an Emmy nomination” situations.

#WandaVision is a weird way to return to the MCU (remember, it was MEANT to be the fourth project of of Phase 4) and will take some adjustment for those seeking a traditional superhero story, but I think it will grab people more and more if they accept it’s doing its own thing.

For those asking, the first three episodes of #WandaVision all run around 30 minutes, credits included, give or take a minute or two.

Charles Murphy, of Murphy’s Multiverse, gives

a very in-depth impression

, going over the performance of the actors, and more. Here are some excerpts from his reaction to the first three episodes of

WandaVision

.

Olsen and Bettany are charming, hilarious and work perfectly off one another. There is real magic here between these two and it’s at its best and most noticeable when they were in front of the live studio audience. #WandaMaximoff #Wanda #TheVision

Feige, Shakman and Schaeffer deserve a ton of credit here. They don’t just pay lip service to trip through the decades, they make every effort to ground them in that time period: the audience reactions, the camera work and lighting and even the cultural sensibilities are on point

Perhaps the real treasure here is the discovery of Bettany as an A+ comedic actor. We see him do it all from corny jokes to slapstick physical bits and he pulls it all off effortlessly.#TheVision #PaulBettany

Olsen’s range as an actress is on full display. Like Bettany she’s essentially playing a different character in each episode, but it’s her ability to relay the feeling that there’s another part of her, just out of her own reach, that sells her performance. #ElizabethOlsen

She’s simultaneously elated and terrified; in control and fighting to keep it; hilarious and tragic. Olsen is a gem.#Wanda #WandaMaximoff

#WandaVision IS something you’ve never seen before but it accomplishes that by taking you places you’ve been before and playing with your notions of what should happen there. If this is what Marvel Studios TV is headed, we’re all going to be very happy for a long, long time.

Dorian Parks, who owns and runs Geeks of Color,

describes

WandaVision

as

“weird as hell,”

but in a good way and that Parks can’t wait to see how Monica Rambeau showing up will affect the plot.

Watched 3 episodes of #WandaVision and the show is weird as hell (in a good way).

Two things are clear. 1) Marvel is dedicated to parodying classic sitcoms and 2) the MCU is finally back!

Can’t wait to see how this show sets up Doctor Strange 2 and Spider-Man 3 👀 pic.twitter.com/nR6rTShfOY

My biggest takeaway, it seems like the cast had a blast filming the series. Lots of joy on screen.

I can’t say much but I’m excited to see how #Wanda and her powers play into the plot and what the arrival of #MonicaRambeau means. pic.twitter.com/q8UeVhARwF

Jill Pantozzi, deputy editor of io9 at Gizmodo,

says that the show is

“magical and hysterical.”

#WandaVision is magical and hysterical. I’m sure it’ll get there eventually but it’s also refreshingly not Marvel™.

Screened the first three episodes, which are all short but don’t feel that way, and just really enjoyed getting to experience the fun of this unique concept and execution. Marvel should lean into “different” more often. #WandaVision

Kristen Lopez, TV editor for IndieWire,

describes the two stars as

“adorable and hilarious.”

Three episodes into #WandaVision and I. Am. Hooked. Not only is the series a loving recreation of classic television shows (everything beautiful), but the story is so compelling. Elizabeth Olsen & Paul Bettany are adorable and hilarious. My most anticipated didn’t disappoint! pic.twitter.com/jZVE6zIlQB

Rodrigo Perez, editor-in-chief of The Playlist,

had a less than favorable impression

of

WandaVision

, disliking the sitcom setting as a

“kinda slog.”

#Wandavision: hard to discuss, review & social review becuz only 3 eps given of a very incomplete story. Please see full thread**

Just cause it’s unique to MCU doesn’t mean it’s good. It’s fully committed to resembling a bad cheesy ‘50 sitcoma#—purposefully—& boy, kinda slog.

I believe it will get good—there are some small but powerful hints of major emotional trauma/grief*— but the first 3 eps are just goofing around w/sitcom tropes and laugh tracks to stuff not very funny or compelling.

The problem is, if I were able to see the entire thing, or experience it all in context,I bet I would like it cause I could see full story, but man it’s going to be trying for some audiences to sit through the sitcom silliness for weeks waiting for the actual story to start.

WHAT THIS MEANS

The consensus among critics is that Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany shine in their performances, actually able to stretch their acting muscles with Olsen

“essentially playing a different character each episode,”

and Bettany allowed to showcase his talent as a comedic actor. It is good to know that the trailers weren’t just for show and that Marvel Studios is committed to the sitcom setting, with one critic even warning fans that they shouldn’t be expecting much action.

It certainly sounds like a big difference from anything Marvel Studios has done before or anything other studios have done with the superhero genre. It even seems like the earlier episodes will be restricted to 30 minutes, falling in line with Kevin Feige replicating the sitcom experience. At this point, it seems evident that the first six episodes for each sitcom era will be 30 minutes long, with the last three episodes being an hour-long, which would line up to six hours in total.