From Polygon · Jake Kleinman · · 1m 10s
VisionQuest: Marvel's Streaming Era Sendoff
Marvel's VisionQuest ends its streaming era with a clever, emotional sendoff for the MCU.
In brief
Marvel's VisionQuest ends its streaming era with a clever, emotional sendoff for the MCU. VisionQuest concludes Marvel's streaming era with a satisfying story about AI and identity. Originally reported by Polygon.
VisionQuest starts
Vision returns to Edinburgh after WandaVision ends, haunting streets and working at a pub.
“Vision has returned to Edinburgh, where he haunts the streets he once walked with W”
Vision's digital life
Vision lives in a digital mansion with AIs like E.D.I.T.H, F.R.I.D.A.Y., and J.A.R.V.I.S.
“Vision has constructed an elaborate mansion and filled it with every artificial intelligence Tony Stark ever created”
Ultron's prison
Vision imprisons Ultron in his mind despite killing him in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
“In an early twist that Marvel chose to reveal in the trailers, we also learn that Vision has imprisoned Ultron in his mind”
Vision's struggle
Vision lacks emotional maturity despite having all memories of the original Vision.
“While he has all the memories of the original Vision, leading right up to his death in Avengers: Endgame”
Paul Bettany's role
Bettany delivers a masterclass as Vision, showing his struggle to be human.
“Paul Bettany puts on an absolute masterclass as Vision, but everyone here is pulling their weight”
Ultron's return
Ultron escapes and becomes a clever, fourth-wall-breaking villain in VisionQuest.
“Spader is a better actor than most and turns the villainous AI into his go-to comic relief”
The Pinocchio twist
Vision becomes the Pinocchio of the story, yearning to be human without feeling.
“When Ultron first broke his chains and rebelled against his creator, he turned the joyful lyrics of Disney's Pinocchio into an eerie catchphrase”
Story structure
VisionQuest uses non-linear storytelling and reveals the villain's identity after seven episodes.
“Across eight hour-long episodes, it sometimes feels like Matalas is stalling between major revelations”
AI themes
VisionQuest explores AI within the MCU but misses real-world AI issues like privacy.
“Matalas also fails to say much of anything about AI at a moment when our modern culture is consumed by it”
The sendoff
VisionQuest ends Marvel's streaming era with a satisfying conclusion for fans.
“VisionQuest feels like the rare Marvel streaming show that works better as a series than a movie”
The takeaway
VisionQuest concludes Marvel's streaming era with a satisfying story about AI and identity.
