Ms Marvel (Disney+)

First thing’s first - it’s great to see Marvel injecting some diversity into its programming. Superhero films are par for the course in 2022 and it’s important that its ethnically and/or sexually diverse characters aren’t just wise-cracking sidekicks or dispensable villains.

Ms Marvel, much like last year’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, is a definite step in the right direction for the MCU, in the sense that it demonstrates that heroes can be more than the fast-talking, physically imposing (mostly white) archetype that’s been presented ad nauseum for the last few years.

Sadly, it is not a groundbreaking show in any other sense of the word. Aside from some historical introspection concerning Britain’s occupation of India, this is yet another tale of a reluctant hero who conquers her fears and takes on a completely forgettable, almost entirely CGI foe.

This is a shame because the show has a lot of promise. Iman Vellani is great as the titular hero (it was a relief to see her be so nonplussed about the internet trolls who have targeted her and the show in general), as are the rest of the cast. The story of Kamala Harris is at once engaging and so it’s a shame that her debut on the small screen feels like such a design-by-committee job.

Indeed, it feels like Marvel is approaching somewhat of a creative nadir as it desperately tries to get Phase 4 off the ground. They’ll most likely get it right before long, but its most recent output has been underwhelming to say the least.