Hopefully you’ll enjoy checking out my Secret Invasion premiere review. The first episode dropped today, June 21st and I managed to watch it just before this review was published. This is therefore a fresh take on what I thought of the premiere. I have to say, I enjoyed the opening episode of Secret Invasion.

So far, despite the non-grounded premise, Secret Invasion does feel more grounded and tonally mature. I’m loathe to get too excited though because I felt the same about FATWS and it just didn’t deliver in the end. I guess it’s more of a case of so far so good. It feels like the stakes are high and there will be casualties, which I can’t say about all Marvel shows, or movies for that matter.

The Talent

There are some great actors at work here, and it’s rare for me to not like what Mendelsohn brings. As for Nick Fury, well I’ve always felt the character fairly one dimensional, so there’s hope we see a different side for Jackson to play into here. The first episode establishes pretty well that Fury has been in a bad place, and his spy craft has slipped. Perhaps if I am being critical there was a little too many mentions of this, when in reality there was enough to show and not have to tell multiple times.

The rest of the cast were also good, especially Olivia Coleman, but then, again, I’m a fan and she’s a top talent. So far we’ve not really got to see behind the veil on Emilia Clarke’s Gia, but we’ve seen enough to get me interested in her arc. I can’t really ask more than that for a new character who’s not the lead in the opening episode.

I’ve seen some fans compare the bad Skrulls in this show to the Flag Smashers from FATWS. I get it, but there is a big difference in how those characters are portrayed. The Flag Smashers just felt like daft kids who don’t understand anything, and the acting and caliber of performers were evidence of a poorly chosen cast. I’m not saying that won’t be the case again, but I’m immediately more drawn to the struggles of the Skrulls than I was the Flag Smashers. So far!

RELATED: The Marvels: Post-Credit SPOILER Shows Up – Tease Young Avengers | Barside Buzz

This will be too slow for some Marvel fans, you know it’s true. Not enough one liners, not enough action, and too many of those boring character conversations. For those of you who like actual drama, maybe even realistic spy films, I think you’ll be fine. Despite a longer runtime than the average Marvel opener I never found myself bored, and yet, it is slower paced. Therefore, I must be engaged by the characters and story, because there’s really no pew pew to give me that serotonin hit.

Ending Drama

There seem to be some fans who were expecting massive twists and turns already. There were a few, to be sure, but nothing we kinda didn’t already know going in. One little surprise at the end has certainly upset some fans though. However, whilst I won’t spoil, in case you haven’t watched it yet, I’ll say I disagree. For those that have watched it, you know what part I’m talking about. It was a surprise, but not a meaningless surprise for shock value like I’ve seen some claim. Nope, I’m absolutely fine with that ending, as good drama needs consequences and this shows we may get some in Secret Invasion.

Overall, the Secret Invasion premiere is solid, but I wasn’t blown away either. What I do see though, is potential. I guess we will find out if that potential is fulfilled or not in the coming weeks? Secret Invasion is a tad more grounded and a tad more mature than your usual Marvel fare. However so far, it’s also a tad more engaging and a tad more exciting than your usual Marvel fare, recently anyway. However, that’s a take based on my own tastes, which may differ from yours.  The premiere was solid, but it’s far too early to tell if this whole series will remain that way.

GRADE: B+

As always, leave your own Secret Invasion premiere review below, or just criticize what I thought, your call.

  FOR FANBOYS, BY FANBOYS Have you checked out LRM Online’s official podcasts and videos on The Genreverse Podcast Network? Available on YouTube and all your favorite podcast apps, This multimedia empire includes The Daily CoG, Breaking Geek Radio: The Podcast, GeekScholars Movie News, Anime-Versal Review Podcast, and our Star Wars dedicated podcast The Cantina. Check it out by listening on all your favorite podcast apps, or watching on YouTube! Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  SoundCloud | Stitcher | Google Play