The origins of Kamala Khan and her powers has been unveiled in Ms. Marvel and the series wraps up neatly as it set-up the future of the titular character. As the newest MCU hero enters the scene and spices things up, is the series worth watching?
Warning: This article may contain spoilers for Ms. Marvel. Read at your own risk!
Is Ms. Marvel Worth Watching?
Ms. Marvel is everything that a "breath of fresh air" embodies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is vibrant, light, anf full of youth which makes one feel as if being back to high school. Kamala's story is so relatable that even if you're not a superhero, her daily struggles and troubles are so realistic.
First up, Iman Vellani portrays Kamala Khan as if she is just being herself. Other cast members act so genuine as well considering that they understand where their characters are coming from and they translate this genuineness on screen.
The show stays true to the MCU's promise of diversification and representation as it brings a full-on introduction on the first ever Muslim Pakistani superhero in the franchise and her culture is very much showcased in the series. Episode 2 was a complete package on this!
The costume department nailed it when it comes to what the whole cast would wear. Aside from Episode 2 during the Eid Mubarak, Episode 3 most probably delivers the best when it comes to the costumes. during Aamir's and Tyesha's wedding plus the quick look back at Aisha's past.
The music used on the show ultimately complements the narrative and in every scene where a song comes up, it perfectly fits what is happening on screen.
Speaking of the narrative, Ms. Marvel hits closer to home especially when it comes to the source material. While her powers and her origins were retconned, the way Kamala deals with her family and friends, the portrayal of the Khan household, and even Circle Q, all these are straight out of the comics.
READ MORE: Will There Be Ms. Marvel Season 2?
Also, it it being lauded for an accurate portrayal of the Partition which is an important event in history especially with the countries involved. other than the Partition itself, usually, history books would leave out what happens next after a historical event but Ms. Marvel made sure to address what ensued with their family after the Partition.
Ms. Marvel showcases the Muslim community so well, too. The scenes at the mosque are so genuine and the sense of community is felt so strong. The way each member extend their help to any to those in need, you can really feel how they value each and everyone.
Ms. Marvel not only dealt with the good things in the community, it also criticized how women are treated differently than men. This is best seen in Episode 2 when Nakia pointed out how women's facilities are not at par with those for the men.
Nakia also did a strong point when she speaks up about what it is like to be a teenage girl wearing a hijab. It is one of the most heartfelt moments in the series and with a platform like the MCU, she became a voice to the women who are experiencing the same.
The way Nakia tried to push her way to the top speaks so much about the culture of women in the community. She stood up for the girls who don't have a voice and Nakia makes sure she'll be heard. She gave Kamala the talk on how identity is power.
Other than being the introduction of Kamala as a superhero, what makes Ms. Marvel stand out is how they portrayed a teenager who just got her powers and how her family would react. It's not everyday where superhero origins would dwell so much with how a family reacts but here, Kamala's family were all around the story.
It is not everyday that when one becomes a hero, he or she would reveal his or her identity especially to the people they love. This is one of the main diffrences Kamala has compared to other heroes. She value her family so much, she gave it a lot of thought whether to reveal her identity or not.
The narrative is not too complicated, not too overstated, it is just enough to introduce Kamala Khan who gets to be the newest hero in the MCU. The storyline is cohesive and at the same time, it is intriguing enough to keep the viewers waiting for more.
The Clandestines, still, have so much potential to the narrative. Surely, the Noor dimension doesn't just end with Najma and the others. With Kamran's story, it's a pandora's box waiting to be opened. There's more to the Clandestines than just being the Djinn. Their dimension isn't even explored.
The finale's surpise is definitely a game-changer. It will forever alter the course of the MCU. If and when Kamala is really the first ever mutant in the franchise, having the X-Men would surely happen in no time. It's something further projects should address and it's a long overdue introduction. It's just that no one expected it'd be Ms. Marvel.
It perfectly sets up how Kamala would play a role in the future of the MCU. The appearance of the Department of Damage Control hints to a bigger reason why the government is pursuing powered individuals and Kamala, herself, has so much potential to add to the current narrative of the MCU.
So, is it worth watching? Definitely! Ms. Marvel is a full-on package, something different compared to the usual superhero trope. It's a breath of fresh air, all in all, and it is not a surprise if it becomes one of the top series of the MCU.
All six episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney Plus.