ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is officially under way, and one of the TV projects I’ve seen talked about on social media quite a bit lately has been “Wonder Man,” which officially dropped Tuesday.
The eight-episode miniseries follows struggling actors Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) as they try to earn roles in an upcoming remake of the superhero film “Wonder Man” while also hiding some secrets from each other and the world.
One of the first things I noticed while watching the series is how, compared to some other MCU media, the stakes are rather low for everyone involved – there’s no one trying to devour the planet or snap half the universe out of existence or send the planet into general chaos. It’s a somewhat refreshing change of pace because I know superhero fatigue is absolutely a real phenomenon and it’s nice to have some lower stakes and not really worry about anyone being in mortal peril. It’s also a smart way to show the more human side of the life of someone with superpowers, which hasn’t really been shown a lot in previous MCU media. On the other hand, however, having those lower stakes can make it hard for viewers to fully engage with the characters and really care about their fates, so I wish there had been at least a little more oomph and action as the miniseries went on. It’s a rather minor quibble in the grand scheme of everything, but definitely something I couldn’t help but notice.
There were also a few different themes throughout the series I couldn’t help but notice, including redemption. Trevor is still trying to make amends for his time as The Mandarin (an arc that began in “Iron Man 3”), and his desire to truly move on from that time in his life is palpable as the series goes on, though not entirely without some hiccups along the way. Another theme I noticed reminded me of “Turning Red” in terms of how people can’t just board up the parts of themselves they don’t like, and that’s especially seen with Simon as he comes to terms with being a super being while still not being aware of just how strong he actually is. And since the show is focused on a pair of actors working to make their way in Hollywood, there’s actually some legitimately decent acting advice thrown in. While the miniseries is rather short, I liked how there were multiple themes that were able to be explored, and if there happens to be a second season, I would love to see them get explored even more.
The cast of the show is absolutely wonderful, especially the two leading men. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II does a great job and is able to convey not only Simon’s passion for acting but also his confusion about his powers and his stress about not being where he thinks he should be in his career, which I’m sure MANY people will be able to relate to. He’s an extremely talented man, and I hope to see more projects featuring him in the future. Ben Kingsley makes another great return as Trevor Slattery and is able to convey sincerity, cynicism and slight absentmindedness – sometimes all in the same episode – and it’s an overall great performance. Mateen and Kingsley are a great pair with great chemistry, which only improves as the series goes on, and there are multiple great moments between the two that almost make it seem like they’ve been friends for years rather than only recently connecting for this project. Another particular standout for me was X Mayo, who portrays Simon’s agent, Janelle - she is absolutely hilarious while also being down to Earth, and I kind of feel like everyone needs someone like her in their lives. Overall, the casting for the series was very well done.
I also felt the show did a really good job blending drama and comedy throughout, which is really tough to do, and I also felt the show’s pacing was done well. With each episode lasting only about 30 minutes, it’s a great series to spend a free afternoon or evening binging that you don’t have to clear a full day for.
Overall, I enjoyed “Wonder Man” and would give it a “B-plus” grade. The stakes are relatively low compared to other MCU media, which makes for more pleasant viewing but also throws just a bit of a wrench into really getting to care about the characters. There are also multiple themes brought up as the show goes on, including redemption, accepting all parts of yourself, as well as some legitimately good acting advice for potential up-and-coming thespians. I also really enjoyed the cast, including the two leading men, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley, who had wonderful chemistry together and solid individual performances. If you’re a fan of other MCU media and are looking to continue that journey, “Wonder Man” is a good one to cue up on Disney+
