Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophie Di Martino, Owen Wilson, Wunmi Mosaku, Richard E. Grant, Jack Veal, Deobia Oparei, Jonathan Majors.

They who have remained are the ones reaping the benefits of dedicated, intricate, and highly polished storytelling. A narrative so beautiful that not only would the late, great, and hugely missed Stan Lee have marvelled at how sublime the director Kate Herron had brought every element of surprise, style and belief to the six-part series of Loki, but how both Tom Hiddlestone and Sophie Di Martino in their respective roles have encompassed the graphic novel’s giants turn to the television serial, and how effective it has been.

What started perhaps as a way to keep interest in what might be regarded as minor characters, away from the big hitters of the Marvel cinematic universe, has become the reason to not turn away from the studio as a decade of awards, box office records and maybe a small amount of overkill, began to take their toll on the franchise and those who have supported it.

For Tom Hiddlestone, a celebrated and exceptional actor in his own right as anyone who has seen his stage work would agree, Loki represents a glorious challenge that has grasped the imagination of the audience, and away from the digital beauty of Asgard and arguably playing second fiddle to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, the actor rises spectacularly to the occasion, and delivers his character with truth and beautiful trickery in a way that might not have been possible if Marvel had not got down this route of piercing the heart of the weekly serial.

Loki has always been likeable, even in the early graphic novels and imported comics, there was the spark of mischief to which acted as a counterpoint to the art of the heroic, often tragic figure that Marvel were creating, and in his own demise at the hands of Thanos at the start of The Infinity War, he reflected the ability to change, to think of the long-term effects of his actions. Loki continues that progression, and with a tale that sees the idea of alternate realities being explored, of the multiverse finally making its appearance, and the big bad of phase four being revealed in the final episode of series one, what comes across perfectly is just how intrinsic the character is to the continuation of Marvel’s steamroller effect on the competition.

With terrific performances by Sophie Di Martino, Owen Wilson as agent Mobius, Richard E. Grant as the classic Loki, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the mysterious Ravonna Renslayer, and Jonathan Majors in a role that will have the fan and casual observer alike screaming with joy, Loki is the moment when worlds collide, the moment when phase three and four of Marvel’s world crash into each other with outstanding repercussions.

Colourful, bountiful, celebrated, Loki has it all.

Ian D. Hall