Most people I know have superhero fatigue, especially when it comes to Marvel, with one of the largest collections of connected films and TV shows, often following a similar setup and punchline. However, when it comes to VisionQuest, and its predecessor WandaVision, I immediately knew this would be a little left-field, and it certainly was. I was lucky enough to see an advance copy thanks to Disney+, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Did it pay off? Immediately.
Paul Bettany (Legion) returns as Vision, but what really caught my attention was the return of Ultron, played by James Spader (Stargate, The Office), this time in a human avatar. The bickering and conflict between father and son, and, well, someone who still wants to take over the world, or perhaps just take in the scenery, delivers a breath of fresh air into this universe of good guys versus bad guys.
While it still has those familiar elements of explosive fights and running from bounty hunters, it’s delivered in a unique way. Vision is hiding in public (not by wearing a baseball cap) but by working as a bartender and doing his best to understand human emotions by binge-watching all the Avengers movies (but skipping straight to his own scenes). Because this Vision isn’t Vision, but he is Vision. A new Vision, in the same… Vision?
Still with me?
To bring you up to speed, winding back to the Avengers and the almighty Endgame, Vision was one character who didn’t benefit from Thanos’ temporary magic trick. He permanently had his “Vision” ripped out and died before the fireworks. Wanda then brought him back to life in WandaVision through another temporary magic trick, but inevitably, Vision is dead. VisionQuest brings Vision back as a new Vision inside Vision, trying to understand Vision.
(Up to speed?)
My favourite twist about VisionQuest is that when he’s not busy being a bartender (without a baseball cap), and everyone knocks off and locks up, he hides away in a dark room and logs into… (Meta Quest 3? Just kidding) his own virtual reality world, full of colourful characters, almost like Inside Out-style emotions, helping him better understand what it means to be human.
It’s great, and it works incredibly well. I initially had concerns that I might lose interest, but here I am, full of questions and enthusiasm. Does Vision have the power to carry his own series? YES! This is a very well-executed virtual nightmare for Vision, and one that offers something genuinely powerful.
There is, of course, a bad guy, mixed in with Ultron, who’s locked upstairs delivering detailed, sarcastic reports on everything around him (A+ work). Then there’s the bounty hunter, who gives off some serious Punisher vibes. But there’s much more to this story, and I really don’t want to spoil too much from here.
VisionQuest is one to watch this month and a perfect example of why the Avengers are still at the top of their game, with so much more to give. If you’re behind, catch up, or just jump straight in. VisionQuest is extremely entertaining, delivering a refreshing mix of action, humour, mystery and well.. FUN.
Don’t sleep on Vision!
Available on Disney+ from October 14.
