Marvel’s What If…? Season 2 Episode 3 Review - Happy Hogan Ho-Hos His Way into a Die Hard Heist

Marvel's "What If...?," Season 2 continues this mind-bending exploration, churning out episodes that turn Captain America into a Hydra agent, pit Thanos against a horde of Zombified heroes, and now, hand the keys to Avengers Tower to none other than Iron Man's trusty (and often underestimated) wingman, Happy Hogan. So, buckle up, Marvel fans, because tonight's adventure is unlike any you've seen before. "What If...?" season 2 is like your uncle's holiday playlist: familiar classics, unexpected remixes, and maybe a couple of jarring karaoke tracks.

It's Christmas Eve, and Avengers Tower glitters with festive cheer. But the party turns Grinch-y when Justin Hammer, infused with stolen Extremis tech, crashes the bash, seeking a powerful artifact hidden within the tower. With the Avengers incapacitated, the unlikely hero mantle falls on none other than… Happy Hogan.

Jon Favreau brings his signature charm to Happy's reluctant heroics. Imagine John McClane with a slightly less impressive vocabulary and a penchant for Christmas puns – that's Hogan battling robots, scaling air vents, and even injecting himself with Hulk blood (transforming into a Hulk Hogan hybrid that's equal parts hilarious and oddly terrifying).

The episode's Die Hard homage is gleefully obvious, complete with witty references, elevator shafts of doom, and even a Samuel L. Jackson-flavored AI named Jarvis. The action sequences are surprisingly punchy for an animated show, and the Christmas setting adds a layer of quirky fun.

The humor leans heavily on slapstick and one-liners, sometimes at the expense of character development. The stakes feel lower than a mistletoe kiss compared to previous "What If...?" episodes and the resolution is a bit too neat and tidy.

What this episode does right is pure entertainment. The Die Hard homage is gleefully obvious, peppered with witty references, elevator shafts of doom, and even a Samuel L. Jackson-flavored AI named Jarvis. The action sequences, surprisingly punchy for animation, are sprinkled with holiday cheer that adds a layer of quirky fun. Who wouldn't enjoy a reindeer laser fight or a disco ball finale?

"What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?" is a festive treat for Marvel fans who embrace silliness. It won't leave you pondering the existential complexities of the multiverse, but it will tickle your funny bone and leave you humming "Iron Man, Ho-Ho-Ho" long after the credits roll. Just don't expect a Die Hard masterpiece – think more Santa Claus vs. the Robo-Grinch with bonus Hulk Hogan cameos.

So, should you stream it? If you're looking for a lighthearted holiday binge with enough explosions and gags to fill a stocking, Hogan's heist is worth your time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Hulk Hogan Hulkster Smash piñata to wrestle with. Happy holidays!

Final Score- [6/10]