What If...? has been a wasted opportunity to have fun with Marvel mythos

Los Angeles Times

Instead, says Michael Ordoña, What If...? "has been a thuddingly unimaginative waste of its unlimited canvas: Though it could conceivably use any character or location, any plot device or twist, What If ...? produces a disappointingly small number of mouth-agape moments — if any. And given that it’s an exploration of the Multiverse — the driving force of several upcoming MCU movies — the show’s shortcomings may be an ominous sign of things to come for the most successful entertainment franchise ever. That’s not to say the series is without merit. What if ...?'s animation is beautiful. Top actors from the movies lend their voices, including the late Chadwick Boseman, in his final performance as T’Challa. The gonzo, anything-can-happen re-imaginings have their fun. The cameos are entertaining (yes, that was Kurt Russell dropping in for a line as Ego, and Howard the Duck, Drax and others partying in Vegas). But ultimately these are just silver linings. At their core, the episodes are dominated by exposition and plot, leaving relationships, motivations and emotion out of the equation. The dialogue consistently plays down to an audience the makers assume is easy to please...All of this adds up to nonexistent dramatic stakes, the equivalent of what DC Comics used to call 'imaginary stories.'"

ALSO:

• What If...? proves Marvel Studios will never be able to tell a standalone story: What If...? seemed like an "opportunity for Marvel Studios to show that it can tell stories that aren’t all interconnected dots that reveal some grand design when you pull back far enough," says Sam Barsanti. "However, last week’s episode effectively crushed any chance of that ever being true. Marvel Studios could tell standalone stories, but it won’t."
• What If...?’s ending was spoiled weeks ago by Thor in a Hyundai commercial
• The end of What If...? Season 1 wrapped up most of the main storyline pretty well
• What If...? head writer A.C. Bradley and director Bryan Andrews discuss Season 1 and the finale