Marvel’s Secret Invasion Review
Posted by: Chris E. Hayner @ 6:12 PM PDT on June 14, 2023
The latest installment in the MCU’s expansive history is a departure from the typical superhero fare. Superheroes, mind-bending special talents, and a large cast of returning characters that may or may not ultimately mean something are all likely components of any Marvel project. Secret Invasion is not like that, and that, in and of itself, is refreshing.
Secret Invasion is not your typical comic book adventure. Instead, it’s Nick Fury’s story, and it involves espionage, foreign enemies, and staying two steps ahead of the world’s federal governments, including Fury’s own.
In essence, Fury has been working on a spaceport station for a long time, and while he wasn’t watching, the Skrulls launched a full-scale invasion on Earth, with many of them intent on toppling humanity through terrorist acts. Audiences are introduced to a world in the first two episodes of the series under review that looks more like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier than anything else in the MCU, but it soon becomes clear that, unlike the terrorist group the Flag Smashers in that programme, the Skrulls have a long-term strategy in mind and are playing it to the letter. Everything works together to make the show feel less like an Avengers movie and more like The Americans (on FX) or Andor (on Disney+). What do you call a mission by a non-powered street-level spy in a franchise steeped in tradition and characters with godlike statures? It’s not out of the question that Marvel Studios studied Andor’s massive success and aimed to recreate it.
However, while it’s clear that Marvel is attempting to tell a low-key espionage thriller, there are several issues that need to be addressed. The pacing of the pilot episode does nothing to establish that vibe. Instead of building up the tension in Secret Invasion gradually, the first episode throws so much at you that by the conclusion you feel like you’ve been drowned with story. That’s par for the course in Marvel shows that try to cram too much plot into too few episodes. Nonetheless, the speed slows down in Episode 2, letting you take in more of the plot as it unfolds. Due to the sudden shift in pace, most of what occurs in the action-packed first episode becomes little more than an afterthought by the end of the second episode.
It’s refreshing to see a Marvel Cinematic Universe story that doesn’t centre on a superhero. Even Rhodey, represented once more by Don Cheadle, never actually puts on his Iron Patriot suit of armour, instead merely casually mentioning it. Instead, he’s running as a representative of the United States of America, diplomat style, and not the Avengers.
Jackson returns as Nick Fury, now older and slower but still incredibly upset, and he is just one of several interesting cast additions to this plot. Jackson’s Fury comes the closest to how we saw him in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in this film, and he’s supported by yet another stellar ensemble.
Talos, the helpful Skrull whose expectations were exceeded in Captain Marvel, is played by Ben Mendelsohn once more. Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) are two more recognisable personalities who make early appearances in the series. New cast members include Kingsley Ben-Adir as Gravik, the commander of the Skrulls in their rebellion against humanity, and Olivia Soleman as G’iah, Talos’ daughter. The first two episodes have been a lot of fun thanks to the show’s charming cast.
Even if the rest of the show isn’t as good as the first two episodes, viewers will be intrigued enough to stick around to find out what happens. While it’s clear that Marvel Studios is experimenting with a new genre (as they have before on Disney+ with WandaVision, Loki, Hawkeye, etc.), we already know more than enough to make educated guesses about the future of the MCU. Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to follow Secret Invasion. Rhodey’s next appearance will be in Disney+’s Armour Wars. Without a doubt, there will be connective tissue used to bind the parts together.
However, since none of it occurs in the first two episodes, it’s hard to tell if the series will manage to stay the landing by the end of the sixth. It’s been a great, though sporadic, beginning thus far.
Back To Top
Add to favorites