by Samuel Nichols, Contributing Writer
Invincible continues to prove time and time again that it will push its own limits, and it is not for the faint of heart. You think the show has gone too far or done something so shocking that it cannot possibly be topped, and then a bigger bomb gets dropped. Nothing and no one is off limits from being destroyed, ripped apart, or knocked down. At times, it is exhausting how fast and furious the hits keep coming, but that’s what makes Invincible himself (still wonderfully played by Steven Yeun) such an easy protagonist to root for: He never lets anything keep him down. For a show whose third season just ended with possibly its most brutal finale so far, that mantra of getting back up still rings as true as ever.
Mark Grayson (Yeun) is no longer the doe-eyed superhero he was when the series began. He is now battle-tested, trained, and capable of doing what is necessary. That change is good, because over the span of this third season, he faces many threats capable of vast levels of destruction. But he isn’t be alone. His powered partner in protection Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs) is still fighting crime with him. Mama Debbie (Sandra Oh) and little brother Oliver (Christian Convery) are there whenever emotional backup is needed on the home front. And although they still don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) and the Global Defense Agency are there when an enemy is knocking on Earth’s door. Off world, Nolan (JK Simmons) and Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen) are becoming a terrific tandem.
Three seasons in, Invincible feels like it is just starting to find its rhythm. I have not read the comics, but I know what is coming up over the coming seasons should the show continue on. The escalating conflicts are a great test for our hero himself. Part of growing up and becoming an adult is trying to cope with the never-ending pace of life. All the personal and professional commitments one has to deal with teaches us what to value most and who we are. Watching Invincible grow up and become more responsible is an amazing story. Yeun terrifically captures this in his performance. At times tender and personal, and at others inspiring and determined. This has been his best season as a voice actor.
The returning stars like Jacobs, Oh, Simmons, and Rogen continue to delver. While there is a little less of all of them them this season, with a lot more focus being on Mark’s duties, they make the most use of their screen time. But one big step up from another returner is Jason Mantzoukas as Rex Splode, whose arc in the last two seasons, evolving from a self-centered “hero” to a genuinely good person who cares about his fellow superheroes, is fantastic. He gets more than a few moments to continue to endear himself to the viewer’s hearts.
Some newcomers this season include the aforementioned Convery, Cliff Curtis, Aaron Paul, and Jeffery Dean Morgan. Of them, Convery has the most well-rounded and strongest performance. Especially given that Convery is a child actor, his debut is quite impressive. He has a lot of whimsy and curiosity, while also some soft-spoken moments that really show Oliver’s growth over time. Paul and Curtis have smaller roles than Convery, but they are personal to our leads. As a longtime Breaking Bad fan, I am always happy to see Paul getting work. But Morgan has even less time than anyone else mentioned here, and he has the most impact. I don’t want to spoil his role, but the finale of the season is made great in large part due to Morgan’s performance.
There’s no one to critique behind the mic, but if I have any major qualms with the show, it’s the animation quality. While it standardly suits the brutal story, there are a lot of down moments where the animation can be lazy, like characters staying in place or barely moving. It lowers the dynamic nature of this world. The action sequences never suffer, but it’s those quiet moments where we need a little more human touch. It can be a bit distracting if you focus on it too much. Those complicated and personal moments are what pushes the show over the top for me, and I wish there was better animation to match that.
Speaking about those more personal moments, it’s where the show’s writing really shines. In a world where any threat can show up and pose danger to billions of people, Invincible knows the best way to endear our protagonist to us is making them relatable. Making deals with being a big brother, not agreeing with the powers at be, taking care of his mom, trying to make a living, and being there for his girlfriend. It’s a lot. And it makes us want to root for him to succeed. Hearing him open up about his difficult things are, or be honest about what’s troubling him, does a lot for the audience. I love seeing him save the day, but seeing Mark save himself and the ones he loves is what makes the show great.
Rating: Loved It
Invincible is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video
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