Entertainment
WandaVision Changed the MCU Forever
Warning: Spoilers
WandaVision’s season finale released last Friday, leaving fans trying to wrap their heads around what they just saw. The first Disney+ installment of the MCU was strange, to say the least and may have taken a little while to get some momentum, but delivered an impressive story from beginning to end. Unlike most new television series, WandaVision already had the trust of fans that the show would be worth the watch. It did not disappoint.
After a long year and a half hiatus from the MCU, fans sat down and watched WandaVision – Marvel’s first real foray into television (no, we’re not counting Agents of Shield or Agent Carter). There was a lot of buzz about how WandaVision could advance the story of the Avengers. Now that we’ve all had the chance to watch the season finale let’s unpack what WandaVision did (and did not) deliver.
Plot Breakdown
As a show, WandaVision offers two big things at once: a crafty, ever-changing format and a cryptic, slow-burning (at first) plot. The impressive feat is how the strong suit shifts from the style to the story. Each episode is modeled to look like a different era of American television. The early episodes are black and white with a laugh track and cute little jingles à la I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show. The set design, format, even dialogue shift throughout the season, emulating shows like The Brady Bunch, Step by Step, Malcolm in the Middle, and Modern Family.
The show even includes classic tv tropes like nosy neighbors, pets that come and go, and babies that grow up overnight. Even the fake commercials between scenes look like they were ripped from time. It seems poetic that as the MCU helps usher in a new TV era, it does so by paying an homage to all the eras before.
The story is not easy to wrap your head around at first. And if you haven’t seen any of the Marvel movies, forget it. Wanda and Vision are husband and wife living in a New Jersey suburb. They have their powers, Vision is still a synthezoid, but they masquerade as a normal American couple when around their neighbors.
Oh, so many questions.
First of all, why are we watching in black and white? Why is there a laugh track? More importantly, how is Vision alive? Thanos killed him. In the first couple episodes, WandaVision does little to explain itself – only dropping little hints that things aren’t exactly how they seem. For example, within two episodes, Wanda discovers she’s pregnant, gives birth, and then has two twin 10-year-old boys.
A few episodes in, we meet characters who live outside of Wanda and Vision’s cookie-cutter town. Monica Rambeau, who we last saw as a young girl in Captain Marvel, is now a woman working for the government agency, S.W.O.R.D. We are reintroduced to FBI agent Jimmy Woo who we last saw in Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Darcy Lewis from the Thor movies.
The audience learns that Wanda and Vision’s hometown of Westview is under some kind of spell. Later, we learn that it is Wanda who controls the spell and everyone inside. While S.W.O.R.D. and the FBI work to end the hex around Westview, Wanda pushes back.
What the…?
Jaws hit the floor at the end of episode 5 when Wanda’s dead brother, Pietro, knocks on the door. However, the actor is not Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who played Pietro in the Avengers movies, but Evan Peters, who played him in the X-Men movies. (more on that later)
The big bomb drops at the end of episode 8. It is revealed that the lovable, meddling neighbor Agnes played by Kathryn Hahn, is really Agatha Harkness, a rival witch and the true antagonist in WandaVision.
The 8th episode is the big payoff that puts all the pieces together. Agatha explains to Wanda that they are both witches, and Agatha wants Wanda’s powers for herself. She takes Wanda on a trip down memory lane. This is when we learn that growing up in Sokovia, Wanda was a big fan of American sitcoms – thus the reason for her spell. We got an intimate look at the love between Wanda and Vision. After Wanda lost her parents, her home was destroyed, and her brother dead, Vision was there for her, and she fell in love. Before Thanos killed vision, the two had plans to retire in Westview. Grief-stricken by Vision’s death, Wanda went to Westview, altered reality, recreated Vision, and put a spell on all its inhabitants.
The showdown in the finale pitted Wanda against Agatha, launching spells and mystic energy at one another high above Westview. Meanwhile, Vision fought against a replica made by S.W.O.R.D. The two synthezoids were too evenly matched until finally, the original Vision mind effed the duplicate with an existential dilemma. The all-white copy took off and disappeared, but only after the original Vision uploaded his thoughts and memories into him.
In the end, Wanda defeats Agatha and holds her prisoner under a spell as the nosy neighbor in Westview. After a heartfelt goodbye to her two boys and Vision, Wanda removes the Hex on Westview, and her family disappears.
No Mutants
There was speculation about whether or not WandaVision would introduce mutants into Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie rights to the X-Men have belonged to Fox since the early ‘00s. When Disney officially acquired Fox in 2019, X-Men could legally join the MCU. In the comic books, Wanda was both a mutant and an Avenger. Fans have anxiously wondered how the MCU would introduce the X-Men. It was a popular theory that Wanda’s reality-bending abilities would be the mutants’ ticket in. Evan Peters played Quicksilver, aka Wanda’s brother Pietro in the X-Men movies. When Evan Peters showed up as Quicksilver in WandaVision, fans cheered as surely this meant they were blending the universes.
Nope
Evan Peters was a red herring, and he was merely a townsperson named Ralph Bohner, who Agatha was controlling.
WandaVision did not introduce any mutants (that we know of), but that doesn’t rule out that she will be the instrument the MCU uses in the future.
Powers Unleashed
When we first saw Wanda in The Avengers Age of Ultron, we didn’t really know much about her abilities. “He’s fast, and she’s weird,” says Maria Hill summing up Wanda and Pietro. She did some hypnotizing spells on Iron Man and the Avengers. We also see she can levitate create force fields. But in the comic books, Wanda’s abilities were expansive. Each installment after Ultron, we got a little more. She held her own in Captain America: Civil War. In Avengers: Endgame, she almost single-handedly defeated Thanos. WandaVision put a spotlight on just how powerful Wanda’s powers were and could grow to be. Says Agatha Harkness: “Your power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme (Doctor Strange).”
Big Plans for Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Paris, will play a big part in moving forward in the MCU. In WandaVision, she gets some cool powers by crossing through Wanda’s Hex. In the comic books, she can turn into any form of matter; she can travel at the speed of light, and of course, super strength and durability.
If you are a loyal fan of the MCU, you know that just because the credits are rolling doesn’t mean it’s over. WandaVision delivered plenty of mid and post-credit scenes. In one of the finale’s mid-credit scenes, a Skrull alien tells her she’s needed in space. She will be a key component in upcoming movies – most likely Captain Marvel 2.
What About Agatha
Agatha Harkness is one of the most interesting side characters in the Marvel comic book lure. She has spanned all different comic storylines, having ties to Wanda, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and Ghost Rider. She points out that Wanda will need her in the future. To which, Wanda responds, “Then I’ll know where to find you.” And then Wanda turns Agatha into a suburban mind-slave. Harkness’s character has Loki-level potential to be a repeat offender.
MCU Can Make TV Shows
No other movie franchise has reached the peaks that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has. They managed to tell a 20 part story with dozens of dynamic characters and intricate plots. While some movies are better than others, the MCU standard has been, above all else, awesome. Now using the Disney+ platform, they have moved into the television scene. If WandaVision showed fans anything, it’s that the MCU can crush that medium as well. With high budget visual effects, complex plots, and consistent fan service, fans should have every bit of confidence that future MCU TV shows will be a level above ordinary programming.
While some dream of striking it rich before the first gray hair sprouts on their heads, these celebrities are already there. Using brains, hustle, and a sprinkle of stardust, these financial titans are crushing it, and crushing it real good! Here are six millionaires under 30:
Jaden Smith (25 years old)
Image Source: FN
At 24, first on our list is Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s son, Jaden Smith. Playing around with his creativity in music, acting, and fashion while amassing a net worth of around $8 million. He built his empire starting with Justin Bieber’s song “Never Say Never,” which launched him into stardom.
Many dismiss this success as riding on his parents’ coattails; however, the hits kept coming, proof that the guy was carving his own path. Next, he conquered films with starring roles in The Karate Kid, After Earth, The Get Down, and many others. By this time, he has co-founded the fashion brand MsftsRep.
Millie Bobbie Brown (19 years old)
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Not just Eleven from Stranger Things, Millie Bobbie Brown has become a global phenomenon. While her fantastic portrayal of the innocent but powerful girl in the Netflix series was what catapulted her to fame, Millie is more than that. Slowly, she is building her empire with her brilliant acting, producing, and entrepreneurship skills, inspiring Gen Zs and millennials worldwide.
Millie Bobbie Brown’s net worth of around $20 million comes from her acting endeavors Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Enola Holmes, proving that she went far beyond the sleepy town of Hawkins. She also launched her cosmetics, Florence by Mills, a vegan and cruelty-free line for teens. Millie is also UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador, raising awareness for children’s rights and climate change.
Tom Holland (27 years old)
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You may know him as the friendly neighborhood Spiderman, but did you know Tom Holland is also the adorable kid flying through the air in Billy Elliot? And did you also know that his net worth is estimated at around $20.6 million? This comes from his roles in the Spiderman franchise as well as other acting stints.
Aside from his immense talent, his meteoric rise comes from several endeavors, the films Cherry, Chaos Walking, Uncharted, and many others. Beyond dancing and web-slinging, Tom also has a heart of gold. He is an advocate for mental health awareness and many other causes.
Ryan Kaji (12 years old)
Image Source: NWC
When they say to start them young, this YouTuber did as he was told. Ryan Kaji, at 12 years old, is one of the world’s most popular content creators on the platform. He has more than 34 million subscribers and over 54 billion views, a feat many older people only dream of. He does this by reviewing toys, doing science experiments, and going on adventures.
With an estimated net worth of $32 million, Ryan has already branched out to a variety of ventures, such as a toy line, clothing line, and a TV series. His infectious energy, winning personality, and strong social media presence all contributed to his inspiring success.
Blue Ivy Carter (12 years old)
Image Source: CNN
An heiress to her parents’ humongous empire in the world of music, fashion, and cultural influence, Blue Ivy Carter is slowly but surely carving a solid path that’s uniquely her own. With an estimated net worth of around $800 million, Blue Ivy is also racking up a list of achievements. She is the second-youngest person to ever win a Grammy for her and her mother’s music video for the hit “Brown Skin Girl.”
Not only did she appear in the video, she also co-wrote the song, showcasing her talent in songwriting. She also has her own fashion line called Ivy Park Kids, following her mother’s footsteps in Ivy Park. This shows that Blue Ivy isn’t just her parents’ daughter but a talented young thing ready to take on the music and fashion world.
Kylie Jenner (26 years old)
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The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner family, Kylie Jenner went beyond TV fame and stepped out of her sisters’ shadows by becoming a self-made billionaire. Yes, you read that right: Kylie’s net worth is estimated at around $1 billion. Despite controversies, she successfully built her cosmetics brand and influenced millions with her every move.
Kylie launched Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner, Kylie Skin, and Kylie Baby in 2015, and by 2019, she sold a majority stake to beauty giant Coty for a whopping $600 million. This solidifies her status as a beauty mogul, young billionaire, and social media superstar.
For aspiring artists, Artificial Intelligence (AI) music generators have emerged as invaluable tools to spark innovation. That said, an AI music generator free of charge offers an incredible tool for limitless musical possibilities without costing a penny.
This article explores the top free AI music generators that promise to unleash your artistic potential. Whether you’re a budding songwriter, a curious producer, or an experimental musician, each AI music generator online platform on this list offers an inspiring blend of technology and artistry to fuel your creative journey.
1. Soundful
First on our list of AI music generator free tools is Soundful. This AI-powered platform creates royalty-free background music for videos, streams, podcasts, and more. Users can easily choose a genre, customize inputs, and generate tracks until they find the perfect match. The music is unique and won’t replicate existing songs or tracks from the platform itself, as the algorithms are trained note-by-note with the help of industry producers and sound engineers.
This AI music generator has a free forever plan, with ten monthly downloads and access to over 25 deadlines. The plan is designed for personal use and non-profits.
2. Amper Music
Amper Music is known for its user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners in AI-generated music. It doesn’t require extensive knowledge of music theory or composition as it uses pre-recorded samples to create musical tracks. These tracks can be modified with different music keys, tempos, individual instruments, and more, allowing users to tailor the music to their desired mood or vibe.
This platform offers an AI music generator free account, but you’ll need to pay track licenses to download and use the music.
3. Mubert
Mubert is an advanced AI music generator that stands out in the industry due to its blend of technology and creativity. It offers a unique approach to music production, enabling users to break traditional boundaries and generate custom soundscapes. The platform provides several advantages, including an API for creating personalized music experiences in apps and games. It also has a marketplace where users can sell AI-generated tracks.
This AI music creator offers a free Ambassador Plan for personal projects without monetization and ad spend.
4. Aiva
Aiva, an AI music generator established in 2016, specializes in composing soundtracks for diverse media like ads, video games, and movies. Its tool allows users to create original music or produce variations of existing songs, bypassing the complexities of music licensing. The platform offers a wide range of presets, specific music formats, and the flexibility to edit soundtracks, making it a favored choice among professionals and amateurs.
Key features of Aiva include a variety of presets and music formats. It offers a functional free version with limited features and the ability to edit and modify existing tracks. Users can select a template, key signatures, music length, and the number of AI-generated compositions.
5. Soundraw
Soundraw is another excellent AI music generator that offers various features, including the customization of songs with AI-created phrases. The tool utilizes a combination of AI and manual tools to make music effortless.
The platform is easy to use, making it accessible for beginners and experienced musicians. It’s also compatible with Google Chrome and Premiere Pro, making for seamless integration. There’s a free plan for users who want to create music, but you’ll need to subscribe for unlimited downloads.
6. Beatbot
Beatbot is an innovative AI music generator with vocals that composes short songs based on user-provided text prompts. It uses Splash sound loops for music and vocals while ChatGPT writes the lyrics. Currently in its Beta phase, Beatbot is free to use, but pricing may be introduced in the future.
You can use the platform to experiment with different prompts and lyrics. And if you’re not fully satisfied with the result, you can click “Retry” to regenerate the music. Beatbot is free to use.
7. Boomy
Some users name Boomy as the best AI music generator that simplifies music production. It allows users to create original songs within seconds and provides the opportunity to submit these songs for potential streaming revenues from various services, making it a highly distinctive platform.
The platform offers both free and subscription versions. You can create and edit songs with the free plan and save up to 25 songs. However, you’ll need a paid plan to download songs and use them for non-commercial or commercial use.
8. Loudly
Loudly is an AI-powered music tool with a vast library of over 170,000 curated audio loops. Its advanced playback engine combines and warps loops while following chord progressions in real-time, ensuring musically meaningful compositions. Loudly’s unique approach combines expert systems and generative adversarial networks, supported by collaboration between their music team and machine learning experts.
Loudly offers multiple subscription plans, including a free one, making it a viable option for those looking for a free music generator.
9. Beatoven
Beatoven is specifically designed to compose original soundtracks for videos or podcasts effortlessly. Without music theory expertise or production experience, users can create unique, mood-based music, ensuring an enjoyable and inclusive creation process.
This AI music generator is ideal for content creators seeking unique, mood-based music for their videos or podcasts. It is also a valuable tool for individuals interested in music creation but lack technical knowledge or resources.
There’s a free plan for individuals wanting to start with the platform. This plan comes with five minutes of free monthly downloads and access to features like instrument selection and volume dynamics.
10. MuseNet
OpenAI’s MuseNet can produce songs with up to ten instruments in 15 different styles. A unique feature of MuseNet is its ability to mimic famous composers like Mozart and contemporary artists like The Beatles. The tool relies on a deep neural network trained on internet data, enabling it to evaluate music over extended periods.
While MuseNet offers numerous music samples on Soundcloud, it currently does not allow users to generate their own music using the tool.
You can use the AI music generator free of charge from their website.
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