Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier made its debut today on Disney+ and has received stellar reviews. The show is currently sitting at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics proclaiming it’s the perfect balance between action and depth. What stood out was the approach this series appears to be taking towards these characters. However, the series does make a conscious effort to hook everyone right from the start.
President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige said as much at a press conference promoting the event. He stated, “If we’re gonna do a series with Falcon and Winter Soldier in it, we need to at least start with the best action that we’ve ever seen.” Anyone who has seen that first episode will attest to the sheer majesty of that sequence involving Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
One thing critics did pick up on almost immediately is how the series digs deep into Bucky and Sam. What events shaped them? How has the trauma of the last 5 years impacted these two? Series director Kari Skogland noted, “It was important, I think, that we respected that we were gonna be into peoples’ perspective and so we really had to go in deep character and be able to sustain that.” What makes the series click, though, is how balanced it is. For every deep moment, there are another two that give The Falcon and the Winter Soldier a Lethal Weapon vibe. Head Writer Malcolm Spellman acknowledged the connection the series has to the film.
There’s no denying that the chemistry of Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie does evoke memories of Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. It doesn’t seem that they are trying to emulate Riggs and Murtaugh. Mackie explained that “we allow ourselves to be our best selves and we correct ourselves when we’re not our best selves” The highlight of the press conference came when some asked the panel that after Don Cheadle’s surprise appearance in episode 1 if fans were in for any more surprises. Head writer Malcolm Spellman explained that while he can’t say who they are, we are all in for many pleasant surprises. Let the speculation begin.
New episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier drop Fridays on Disney+.
Dewey Singleton has been reviewing new releases in television and film for many years. Dewey's reviews have been heard in multiple markets (Houston Atlanta, Tampa). Dewey's past work has been with awardswatch.com, awardsradar.com, and bleeding cool. Dewey is a proud member of the CCA.