LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tailsis pleasantly surprising; it’s a fun new Marvel adventure. For fans who have grown used to the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s larger-than-life stakes, the unique two-part series featuring the Avengers will come as a breath of fresh air.
As LEGO games and movies/shows are known to do, LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails mixes superhero action with a healthy dose of levity. That comes with a silliness that not all Marvel fans might be used to, but that works perfectly as part of the Avengers special’s charm. The voice cast, led by Troy Baker as Hawkeye, is top-notch.
Despite this being lighter than the MCU’s best movies when it comes to action, LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails does feature exciting and creative fight sequences, which come with the territory, as the bricks-focused fun of LEGO allows for unique situations. This animated Marvel world feels familiar yet fresh, and while not groundbreaking, it was a blast to explore.
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails Features A Talented Cast & Several Marvel Characters
This series is all about Hawkeye, and Baker, one of the best working voice actors, never misses a beat in the role. The animated Clint Barton is a great protagonist to follow, with Baker playing this confident and often annoyed version of Hawkeye well. Marvel’s new release also pulls from a deep well of characters.
Besides Hawkeye, we explore quite a few heroes and villains from all over the franchise, with a couple standing out. As always, Travis Wilingham is a delight as Thor. He has voiced the hero in several Marvel projects over the years, and this new take on the character focuses on the God of Thunder’s humor, which is perfect for the special.
It is clear that the creators have a deep passion for the Marvel Universe, and so fans will be very happy with all the characters who turn up in the most unexpected ways.
Another standout was Mick Wingert, who has played different versions of Iron Man in multiple projects. The way Wingert makes his version of Tony Stark sound so similar to Robert Downey Jr.’s is incredible, and it enjoyably pushes the lighter Marvel special closer to the MCU in many ways.
Something that Marvel fans have grown to appreciate over the years is the surprise cameos, and I’m glad to say that we see quite a few of those in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails. It is clear that the creators have a deep passion for the Marvel Universe, and so fans will be very happy with all the characters who turn up in the most unexpected ways.
The only character who was difficult to become invested in was the villain; Meryet Karim (Alia Shawkat) is made to be easy to hate, but given how it’s more focused on fun scenarios, the villain is rather one-dimensional, and what is shown is not that exciting.
Marvel’s New Avengers Release Offers Creative Action & Worthy Animation
A superhero project would be nothing without good action scenes. Even though LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails‘ focus is on humor, it never drops the ball when it comes to its fight sequences. Be it Hawkeye using the most varied arrows to suit every situation, the Avengers taking on villains, or the evil cats, the action stays on point.
It is aided by effective animation, with a stunning color palette that does a perfect job of translating the Marvel Universe into LEGO’s signature style. We see a bright world with kinetic action and expressive characters. The bricks’ design for characters and objects also plays into the gags, which is part of LEGO’s brand of humor. The whole thing is a breeze to get through.
Even though LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails‘ focus is on humor, it never drops the ball when it comes to its fight sequences.
Finally, while the cast is engaging, the action is grand, and the humor is on point, the story, which focuses on an evil cat influencer, does not hold the same weight, failing to elevate LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails beyond a simple, fun entry. Would I recommend the special? Yes, but it doesn’t have staying power.
Still, it’s a fun adventure and one that spotlights Hawkeye, who has sadly been handed the short end of the stick more often than not in the live-action MCU. I would love to watch more specials set in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails‘ world, though I hope we get stronger stories.
Both episodes of LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails are available now on Disney+.
