Like every other adult in the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre tonight, I was taken back to my childhood in a huge way with Marvel Universe Live!, a live show extravaganza that wowed, shocked, and awed for its entire 90-plus minute duration.
Make no mistake: this is a show worth going to. And it’s tempting to say “for everyone who has kids,” but I saw plenty of people without kids there, and everyone had a huge smile on their face. How could they not? Spider-Man flew across the arena, Wolverine did tricks on a motorbike (huh?), and there was enough non-stop action to stimulate even those senses you forgot you had.
The choreography is amazing: how that many people can be riding motorbikes (I had no idea motorbikes had become so popular in the Marvel Universe) in a small area and not colliding had me scratching my head in wonder. Heck, everything about this show is amazing, the only thing worth complaining about being the merchandise pricing (and complain people did; it was actually a repeat conversation starter in the section I was sitting in, including a kid, to me, which was pretty unique).
The show is exciting, fun, and extremely well put together. With the skill of pro gymnasts, the superheroes flip and jump around getting into an endless arrays of fights while the Loki-centred plot progresses along throughout the night. The props look convincing, and the brief periods of visuals on the big screen during set changes were entertaining enough.
But the most magical moment of the night was unscripted: my four-year-old son was brandishing his mini Thor hammer throughout the night as he was enjoying the show. At the end of the night, Thor came up near us to wave goodbye. He caught a glimpse of my boy and his hammer, smiled, and pointed his own hammer at my son. Definitely one of those great moments, and one we won’t soon forget.
Speaking of kids, how did the harshest critic of all, a four-year-old, like the night? He loved it, being excited beyond words to see the superheroes in person, constantly pointing and exclaiming throughout the night. The explosions made him jump a bit, but he ate it up; with just a couple minutes left to go he said he was getting tired, so the length was perfect. It was one of the most exciting nights of his young life (mental note: me and him have a date to “fight like superheroes” first thing in the AM, mustn’t forget).
This show is easily worth the ticket price for those who love superheroes and/or those who have kids who love superheroes. It’s sticking around in Victoria for a few nights, so you might want to do some last-minute rescheduling if you weren’t planning on going.
Oh, and if anyone ever tells you that they saw me inexplicably welling up when The Incredible Hulk made his entrance, I admit nothing.
Marvel Universe Live!
Until June 14
Various prices
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
saveonfoodsmemorialcentre.com