HCA Gradebook: “Jurassic World Dominion”
April 30, 2023
HCA Gradebook: “Fire Island”
May 1, 2023
TV Show: Ms. Marvel
Plot: New Jersey-raised Kamala Khan learns she has polymorphous powers.
Cast: Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Zenobia Shroff, Zenobia Shroff and Alysia Reiner
Creator: Bisha K. Ali
Release Date: June 8, 2022
Studio: Marvel Studios
HCA Overall Grade: B+
Daniel Howat says, “Ms. Marvel is a big blast of energy. It’s a coming-of-age thrill ride that never takes itself too seriously. Stylish, silly, and so much fun. Ms. Marvel’s powers are a unique addition to the MCU. This is the most exciting MCU project in ages. These first two episodes have the energy of Spider-Man: Homecoming while feeling like a completely fresh voice in the franchise. I can’t wait to see where this series goes. And make no mistake: Iman Vellani is a STAR.”
Grade: A
Rick Bentley says, “The change in direction, tone, and design of the latest offering in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ms. Marvel, is so dramatic in comparison to previous offerings that it creates a version of superhero series whiplash. There is nothing completely wrong with Ms. Marvel being more on the mundane side of the superhero world. That definitely makes it the most easily accessible program for young viewers among all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe offerings.”
Grade: B
John Nguyen says, “The first two episodes of Ms. Marvel have been absolutely terrific. Star, Iman Vellani, is full of personality, the family dynamic is wholesome with a relatable family drama that I can relate to, the supporting cast members are amusing, and there’s enough mystery for a spellbinding journey.”
Grade: B
Dewey Singleton says, “Ms. Marvel is incredibly charming and the most relatable series Marvel has released. While there have certainly been positives with every release they’ve done on Disney+, this one has more of a broad appeal. It felt as if you needed at least some background in the character’s comic-book lore with those series. Ms. Marvel is more of a coming age story. It’s not about having powers as much as growing into the role. Complicating matters is Khan’s strict Pakastani family dynamic. Kamala comes from a culture where women are often seen but rarely heard. At its heart, this series is about standing out regardless of societal and cultural pressures.”
Grade: A
Tessa Smith says, “Ms. Marvel is a cute and charming teen/tween type show (think Netflix teen drama/rom-com) that is clearly made for younger members of the MCU fandom, but still enjoyable for older ones. A bit slow and too convoluted at times, but by the end of episode 2 it really picks up.”
Grade: B
Destiny Jackson says, “Ms. Marvel brings vibrancy, color, and humor to the MCU in a way we’ve never seen it before. Kamala Khan is an imaginative, awkward, and glass-half-full kind of girl. All she wants to do is pass her driver’s exam, scope out hot boys, and worship her superhero idol Carol Danvers. Her earnestness is genuine and her yearning to be a superbeing herself is in some ways reminiscent of that of Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter Parker (Tom Holland) who also use characters from the larger MCU as inspiration for their own personal journeys. If you’re looking for high stake thrills, you’re not going to find them here. Kamala has to make it through whatever this show is going to throw at her, simply because she’s expected to team up with Carol and Monica Rambeau in The Marvels. However, for all its frothiness, lead actress Iman Vellani dazzles as bright as her controversial new crystalized powers while playing an awkward but relatable teen girl. Hopefully, this superhero take on a coming-of-age story is enough to hold the older demographics’ interest.”
Grade: B
Clarence Moye says, “Ms. Marvel is absolutely as good as it is thanks to the seemingly effortless, fully grounded, and unabashedly fun lead performance by Iman Vellani. I could not imagine this series without her for, as silly as it can often be, she is so completely convincing and engaging that you cannot help be pulled into this teen-centric story.”
Grade: B+
Cleide Klock says, “Ms Marvel is vibrant, colorful and authentic. A great debut for the MCU’s first Pakistani and Muslim superhero.”
Grade: B+
James White says, “Marvel’s latest series is a real burst of color and joy. While it skews younger than some of the company’s other shows, the series certainly fits well into the MCU as a work of fiction about a fan. Though some of the superheroic elements lack polish at this stage, the coming-of-age angle works really well, feeling like an authentic adaptation of the comic book’s story of growing pains (and growing limbs). A buoyant central performance by newcomer Iman Vellani promises big things in the future, but don’t ignore some stellar work done by the supporting cast. Fitting squarely into the “specific yet universal” idea, Ms. Marvel is yet another winner from the team.”
Grade: A
Danielle Broadway says, “While the first two episodes weren’t all that they could have been, this hero’s journey is just getting started. Ms. Marvel presents a celebratory opportunity for a marginalized character to break the mold and remind people that Black and Brown heroes are worthy of shows that depict them as dynamic, multifaceted and compelling. There’s work to do, but there are six episodes in total and these are only two. It’ll be thrilling to see if the show can morph and change into something truly cosmic.”
Grade: C+
Zoë Rose Bryant says, “Why can’t every Disney+ show be as good as Ms. Marvel? Possessing such a brilliant balance of tone – while simultaneously bursting at the seams with so much style and wit – the latest Marvel show puts a charming twist on well-worn coming-of-age clichés and conventions thanks to its revolutionary representation, also making an instant star out of the already iconic Iman Vellani, who has a bright future in the MCU and beyond.”
Grade: A
Ms. Marvel is now streaming on Disney+
