Eyes of Wakanda Review: Beautifully Crafted But Incomplete
Eyes Of Wakanda: A Visually Stunning, Yet Emotionally Rushed, Dive into Wakanda’s Untold Stories
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Without a popular hero to lead with, Eyes Of Wakanda instead relies on the infinite potential of the Wakandan brand to grate effect; the result is beautifully crafted but feels somewhat incomplete.
Eyes Of Wakanda bravely ventures beyond the familiar faces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, opting to build its narrative around new characters rather than relying on established heroes. For the most part, this gamble pays off, largely due to the series’ snappy writing and strong voice-acting. Jacques Colimon, in particular, shines as Basha, a cocky warrior and spy who injects a welcome dose of levity into the proceedings. equally impressive is Winnie Harlow’s portrayal of Noni, a former member of the Dora Milaje who possesses the charisma and depth to have easily anchored the entire series.
A Visually Resonant Aesthetic
The animation in Eyes Of Wakanda is a important strength. eschewing the flatter, sometimes stilted style seen in what If…?, the animators draw inspiration from contemporary African-American artists like Ernie Barnes. This approach evokes a hand-painted, yet computer-generated, aesthetic that feels reminiscent of traditional Disney animation. The result is visually gorgeous and culturally resonant, forging a distinct identity that beautifully complements the recognizable Wakandan elements previously established in live-action. This fluidity extends to the action sequences, which fully leverage the boundless freedom of animation to create exhilarating combat.
Thrilling Narrative Choices
While the focus remains predominantly on Wakanda, the series is not entirely detached from the wider MCU mythos, especially with some fan-pleasing twists introduced in the latter half. For a project that could have easily settled into a by-the-numbers standalone format, the choices made by showrunner Todd Harris are genuinely thrilling. These decisions ensure that viewers will likely never look at Ryan Coogler’s Black panther films in the same light again.
The Pace problem: A Rushed Journey
However, beneath the breakneck action, the story itself ofen feels like it moves too quickly. Covering vast expanses of time and space within only four half-hour episodes means that just as viewers begin to emotionally connect with a character,Eyes Of Wakanda swiftly pivots to the next adventure. The inclusion of additional episodes could have considerably deepened these character connections and allowed the series to fully capitalize on its open-ended premise.
As it stands,the series feels like a promising start that may appear disposable to more casual viewers. This is a missed possibility, as at its best, Eyes Of Wakanda showcases the true potential of Marvel’s small-screen endeavors, expanding the MCU in ways that suggest Wakanda, and indeed the entire universe, could continue to evolve indefinitely.