Invincible Season 3 Review: Prime Video’s Superhero Cartoon Returns With One Issue

by

It’s essentially more of the same greatness that we’ve come to expect from the first two seasons. If you enjoyed those earlier installments, then this new season is sure to please you. And if you happen to be an adult who appreciates superhero stories and animation, “Invincible” should definitely appeal to you!

The Amazon Prime Video series based on Robert Kirkman’s Image Comics collaboration with Corey Walker and Ryan Ottley effectively combines traditional superhero themes with a grittier, deconstructive approach, much like “The Boys” yet maintaining the warmth of “Spider-Man.” It skillfully incorporates the quirky aspects typical of superhero comics, with every DC or Marvel character having an “Invincible” counterpart. However, it treats its character development with great sincerity. The action sequences are thrilling, the voice talent is top-notch, and each episode leaves you eager for more. In the first six episodes of the eight-episode season, Season 3 delivers even more of this engaging blend, although the overall narrative arc isn’t as apparent as in the previous seasons. Despite this, you’ll still find yourself excited to see where the story leads next.

Approaching a critique of “Invincible” Season 3 might seem challenging, as discussing specific events is largely off-limits due to spoilers. With Prime Video marking nearly every significant plot point in the season as a “spoiler,” even some points hinted at in the trailers. However, instead of focusing on what has happened, let’s discuss where the storyline appears to be heading without revealing too much.

Family matters and political conflicts

In our previous encounter during Season 2, Invincible (Steven Yeun), also known as Mark Grayson, unintentionally killed the interdimensional villain Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown) while protecting his mother Debbie (Sandra Oh). A confrontation with a future version of Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs) leaves him grappling with whether to confess his feelings for her in the present. Simultaneously, Mark must support his rapidly maturing half-brother Oliver (Lincoln Bodin in Season 2, Christian Convery in Season 3), who is a mix of Viltrumite and Thraxan. In outer space, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons) and Allen the Alien (Seth Rogan) find themselves imprisoned together, considering an unusual partnership as they confront a common adversary. If you’re hazy on any other key events from the last two seasons of “Invincible,” our recap article on Looper can help refresh your memory.

In “Invincible” Season 3, all the recent events have significant impacts. Unlike previous seasons that had one major antagonist like Omni-Man in Season 1 and Angstrom in Season 2, this season doesn’t focus on a single grand threat. Instead, it delves into numerous challenges for its diverse group of superheroes. A piece of information not considered a spoiler is that Mark will face off against Cecil Stedman, the director of the Global Defense Agency, portrayed by Walton Goggins. While not a traditional villain, Stedman is more of a morally ambiguous character who frequently makes tough and debatable decisions in an attempt to save the world.

In the scenario, Invincible has violated a major principle by taking a life, making it questionable for him to claim a superior moral stance over Cecil. The narrative mirrors the themes found in “Captain America: Civil War,” delving into conflicting truths that can lead to paradoxical outcomes: the necessity of powerful individuals being subjected to legal control for the greater good, yet acknowledging that law isn’t inherently virtuous or reliable. Mark is grappling with these complex moral dilemmas and simultaneously striving to provide ethical guidance to Oliver, who may lean too heavily on a simplistic black-and-white perspective of the world that could bring him dangerously close to his father.

Oddly-structured episodes still provide some great surprises

Due to the fact that “Invincible” is attempting to handle numerous storylines within only eight episodes per season, each episode tends to be quite action-packed. This rapid pace has its advantages, as it ensures the show never feels slow or padding. However, it can also lead to a somewhat fragmented structure, with certain plotlines being relegated mostly to mid-credits scenes. In fact, one of these mid-credits scenes was surprisingly lengthy, consuming almost an entire episode on its own.

In general, the individual episodes of Season 3 don’t have as much impact compared to certain scenes within them – perhaps a revealing flashback or an intense fight scene. However, there is one uncommon highlight: the first seven minutes of episode 3, titled “You Want a Real Costume, Right?” This dialogue-free sequence portraying two struggling criminals about to receive a beating is quite intriguing and leaves one pondering if the team behind “Invincible” could successfully execute an entire silent episode like the “Fish Out of Water” episode from “BoJack Horseman.” Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that episodic experimentation on this scale will occur in a series with so many competing elements.

Based on the excellent sixth episode, titled “All I Can Say Is I’m Sorry,” it appears that the final two episodes of this season could be quite compelling. This installment introduced a new antagonist, Powerplex (portrayed by Aaron Paul), whose complex motivations and self-destructive actions lend a tragic air to his character. As we approach the season finale, we’ll have to see how it addresses the ongoing moral and political conflicts. I have faith that the writers will deliver a fitting conclusion. Fortunately, fans won’t have to endure as long a wait as they did between seasons 2 and 3.

Beginning on February 6, the initial three installments of “Invincible’s” third season will be available on Amazon Prime Video. Subsequent episodes will follow, being released each week, on Thursdays.

Read More

2025-02-04 02:01