Ms Marvel's first outing in the MCU is a memorable amalgam of teenage awkwardness, growing pains and superpowers.
Think Clarissa Explains It All (without the talk to camera), Never Have I Ever's push-and-pull against parental expectations vs self identity, mixed with Tom Holland's Spider-Man charm.
Finding it hard to formulate a picture? That's because it's a 'sit back, watch and be mesmerised' kind of affair.
What to Read Next
So far the show ticks most of the boxes. Engaging: check. Charismatic: check. Impressive powers: check. The only thing it's missing is a compelling storyline… so far.
We have to say that as we are only two episodes deep, but 'so far' things are falling a little flat on the narrative side.
With these types of limited series it's all about pace, pace, pace. Six episodes don't award filmmakers the luxury of slow-building, digestible storytelling. The expectation is that we will get to the action tout suite.
Unfortunately by the close of episode two we're only just scratching the surface of what's to come. That doesn't mean we have a hankering for a sloppy, rushed unfolding of Kamala Khan's journey and, to be fair, Ms Marvel is at a slight disadvantage to its other MCU show counterparts.
Loki, WandaVision, etc were all shows based on titular characters who were well established within the universe already. This means less story building was necessary. Ms Marvel, however, is introducing Kamala (Iman Vellani) to us – and it does so very well.
In fact, one of the best moments is among the very first opening scenes, where we are introduced to Kamala's world through the colourful Khan family. Her parents, two sides of the same warm and strict coin, and her comical yet prayerful brother Aamir (Saagar Shaikh).
For that, a little measured slowing down is necessary but overall the suspense building is not enough to sustain the weekly lull between episode drops.
So why bother coming back? Kamala and her wondrous, cosmic world, that's why.
Creator Bisha K Ali has built a world for our newest superhero that is so alive with the vibrancy of youth. Kamala's fantastical daydreaming is illustrated with pop-art sketches, luminous lighting and – as is the mark of youth – a social-media presence complete with emojis.
Everything is cast in the neon colours of adolescence, embodying the heightened emotions of the teen years.
All this takes place against the backdrop of a soundtrack that is as charged up and eclectic as Kamala is. Swet Shop Boys, The Ronettes' 'Be My Baby' and Mase's 'Feel So Good' intertwine with music of her culture, all for the purpose of expressing her creative, energetic personality.
Much like Never Have I Ever, Ms Marvel is wonderfully celebratory when it comes to depicting the Pakistani American experience.
Kamala's culture and religion are effortlessly sewn into the fabric of a superhero world in a way that is more believable than Moon Knight's hamfisted 'are you an Egyptian superhero' nod to diversity.
Islam is approached through a lens of pride, passion and purposefulness in a way that isn't often shown in pop-culture shows.
The heavy and relatable issue of finding one's identity when of mixed heritage is explored through Kamala's best friend Nakia (Yasmeen Fletcher).
"Too white for some people, too ethnic for others" is an unfortunate and uncomfortable lived-in experience for many. However Nakia manages to find authenticity of self through her Muslim side and the wearing of the hijab, irrespective of others' perceptions of her and these are stories that need to be told.
Yes, there are a few bugbears – such as the ingenuity and smarts possessed by her other best friend Bruno (Matt Lintz) whose intelligence is well beyond his years.
Seriously, where do kids like Peter Parker and Bruno get their brains? At Tony Stark's genius school? And is it too late for us to sign up?
These niggly issues can be forgiven, though.
At its essence, Ms Marvel is a charming, energetic coming-of-age story.
What the show does well are the real human parts of life, the struggle of asserting one's independence against tradition and the expectations of parents, and navigating the two cultures when biracial.
The superhero-ness of it all is just the exciting vessel by which to delve into a character with so much richness and depth.
This bodes well for her future in the wider MCU alongside Brie Larson's Captain Marvel in The Marvels. Let's just hope the rest of the storyline can match the magic and marvel that is Kamala Khan.
Ms Marvel is available to stream on Disney+ from June 8, 2022. The Marvels has a release date of July 28, 2023. Captain Marvel is streaming on Disney+ and available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.
Disney+ Watch the MCU on Disney+
![Marvel Studios: The Infinity Saga - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray, region-free]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1592930464-51rTY4QSSxL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Marvel Studios: The Infinity Saga - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray, region-free]")
![Avengers: Endgame [2019]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1567939781-51mkoxizT2L.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Avengers: Endgame [2019]")
Funko Pop! SDCC 2019 EXC - Captain Marvel: Minn-Erva Pop! Vinyl Figure
Hollywood Records Captain Marvel (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Pinar Toprak
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
