WHAT IF...? Review Roundup - Here's What Critics Are Saying About Marvel Studios' First Animated Series

WHAT IF...? Review Roundup - Here's What Critics Are Saying About Marvel Studios' First Animated Series

What If...? premieres on Disney+ tomorrow, but now that the review embargo has lifted, what do critics make of those first three episodes? We've rounded up some reactions that you can check out right here!

By JoshWilding - Aug 10, 2021 08:08 AM EST
Filed Under: What If

The review embargo for What If...? lifted earlier today, and you probably don't need us to tell you that the response to the first three episodes has thus far been overwhelmingly positive. It feels like the marketing campaign for the series has been a little more muted than previous Marvel Studios shows on Disney+, but fans are excited, and these reviews will only serve to increase the hype. 

Not everyone loved it, though, which is evident from The Hollywood Reporter's review. "What If...? promises to be a space for the kinds of weird or challenging or just-plain-silly ideas the live-action properties will never touch," it reads, "but then, presented with these playful hypotheticals, it can hardly muster enough curiosity to wonder what happens next."

IndieWire, however, awards the animated series a B+ and notes that "the show is also easily enjoyable in its own right and a reprieve from the tired focus on world-building that has defined some of Marvel’s recent Disney+ series." CNET was similarly impressed, concluding, "What If...? is the MCU at its most unashamedly comic book-y, with beautiful animation, sharp writing and a sense of infinite possibility. 'Nuff said."

Empire goes with 3*, while Total Film gives the series 4* and makes it clear that "Despite its ponderous title, What If is definitive – and another surefire hit for the house that Kevin Feige built."

"If anyone had any doubts over whether an animated Marvel series could achieve the same levels of action and excitement as live-action, hopefully watching What If…? will quash their concerns right away," says Metro's 4* review. "The show masterfully showcases animation as a powerful storytelling tool, as it transitions from being fun and light-hearted in one moment to chilling and dark the next." The Direct, meanwhile, was similarly impressed, and promises that What If...? is "a must-see for any casual or die-hard MCU fan."

In our review of the first three episodes, we concluded by saying, "An instant animated classic, What If...? delivers world after world of endless possibilities you need to explore, and if what we see from these first three chapters is any indication, Marvel Studios has delivered a mind-bending MCU masterpiece."

As of right now, we don't have a Rotten Tomatoes score, but will share that with you soon! 
 

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SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 8/10/2021, 8:07 AM
It's about time Marvel gets a win with an animated presentation. I think the last good animated series from them was Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Everything after that was dud after dud.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 8/10/2021, 8:11 AM
The Disney plus shows have their issues never felt saddled by world building but maybe it's just me. Anyways, anyone know how many episodes they're dropping at once tomorrow? If anybody would know I'd guess the good doctor 'round these parts.

I'm not particularly excited about this one but hopefully they deliver something entertaining. It's going to be weird hearing Chadwick on these
MadThanos
MadThanos - 8/10/2021, 8:12 AM
@MyCoolYoung - only one episode.
Kyos
Kyos - 8/10/2021, 8:16 AM
I still think that reviews based on only the first three episodes of a show are ultimately somewhat nonsensical, but it is what it is. Quite excited for 'What If...?', which originally was at the bottom of my anticipation ranking next to Loki.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 8/10/2021, 8:18 AM
@Kyos - I've said this as well. Just let them review episode by episode or the full season. You can't get a feel for a 9 season show with 3 episodes
Origame
Origame - 8/10/2021, 8:48 AM
@Kyos - I mean, this is an anthology series.
Kyos
Kyos - 8/10/2021, 9:04 AM
@Origame - That's true, although that would probably rather call for reviews of the individual episodes.
Origame
Origame - 8/10/2021, 9:12 AM
@Kyos - I think that's a better approach.
DavidMullich
DavidMullich - 8/10/2021, 9:41 AM
@Kyos - Many television shows get reviewed based on just their first episode. In fact, prior to Netflix starting the practice of releasing an entire season at once in 2013, that's how most television reviewing was done.
ImNotaBot
ImNotaBot - 8/10/2021, 8:22 AM
I love Marvel with all my heart and Loki was amazing, but i'm getting a little burned out by all these Marvel projects. I think having all the shows/movies coming out with only a month apart are too much for me. I loved The Suicide Squad because it was a nice change of pace after WandaVision, FWS, Loki and Black Widow all at once.
I bet What If is great but i may slow down with this one and wait for all the episodes to come out.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 8/10/2021, 8:27 AM
@ImNotaBot - sensible enough
GhostDog
GhostDog - 8/10/2021, 8:22 AM
Reviewing only 3 episodes of something is weird
GhostDog
GhostDog - 8/10/2021, 9:01 AM
@Waddles - just the hors d'oeuvres

Fanmar16
Fanmar16 - 8/10/2021, 9:34 AM
@BlackBeltJones - Wandavision 2 episodes,Loki, 2 episodes


Has the critic been wrong?
GhostDog
GhostDog - 8/10/2021, 10:39 AM
@Fanmar16 - They’ve done this with other shows and been wrong though.

It’s just an odd strategy.
DoubleD
DoubleD - 8/10/2021, 8:24 AM
What If...? Current Rotten Tomatoes score is 88% with 8 reviews and 1 rotten :)
connorblaze
connorblaze - 8/10/2021, 8:36 AM
Off topic, just saw Nine Days at the theatre and wow. Might be my new favourite film. Beautiful, beautiful movie. Winston Duke is INCREDIBLE. Man the dude has range.
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