On Disney Plus
When LEGO Avengers Strange Tails is being cheeky in its satire of social media culture, nudging viewers to not be so engrossed, I’m all in. Even I’ll admit I’ve been far too hooked on being on a soapbox far too much. But once people strip away the medium, the core idea works just as well in any age when these platforms evolved. This latest animated LEGO adventure walks a careful line between teaching and entertaining, showing both the appeal and the dangers of attention-driven obsession.
Eugene Son is a veteran of this ongoing subset of adventures, and he’s in good company when teamed with Henry Gilroy (best known for his work on Star Wars: Rebels) to write the story, and adapt it to screenplay. And they know the subject well. The spotlight falls on Meryet Karim (Alia Shawkat), an overzealous social media influencer who believes the world should revolve around her. She loves cats, craves control, and has her sights set on making Hawkeye become yesterday’s news.
Although Clint Barton (Troy Baker) likes the attention, he doesn’t have the time to maintain an online presence to boost his image. He never received the adoration as fellow Avengers like Captain America or Thor. Even though they are not known to have someone manage their Instagram feeds, it’s safe to assume someone is posting about them. And one day, all of that changes when he “single-handedly” saves the day. Everyone loves him, including Kevin Feige.
When Karim enters the picture, determined to make cats rule the world, the spotlight shifts to her. There’s a segment about why Ancient Egypt matters, and this detail could have been better expanded on. Had Bastet been part of the narrative, what’s going on would make more sense. She is well known within the Black Panther and Fantastic Four canon. Also, she did make an appearance in the live-action films.
Curiously, whether affected by a goddess’ charms or not, Barton proves immune to that kitty charm. Once he convinces the other heroes to see past the noise, the story finds its footing. The later dialogue lands harder than any hammer swing, and the message is unmistakable.
As a two-part episode, Strange Tails may be the first LEGO Avengers release to aim beyond being a light, self-contained romp. They often emphasize themes where teamwork and cooperation matters. From Climate Conundrum (2020), Loki in Training (2021), Time Twisted (2022), Code Red (2023), Mission Demolition (2024) to the latest, the consistency has been uneven. That uncertainty likely stems from competing priorities.
These specials sell merchandise, and while they sometimes try to deliver well-intentioned messages, storytelling can take a back seat. Here, the puns occasionally verge on excess, but the result remains a solid and enjoyable watch. And with plenty of Avengers related releases, I can begin ranking which tales I like more. The most memorable concerns a certain Asgardian trying to do good, followed by Climate Conundrum, then Mission Demolition. All three offer stronger character development, more restrained humour, and a tone that feels closer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe than to a pure gag fest. That balance matters. And when Disney isn’t pulling every narrative string, the obligation is always the same: respect the brand they’re built from.
3 Stars out of 5
LEGO Avengers Strange Tails Trailer
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