Luke Cage: Bullet Proof Hero with a Weak Backside

Short Version: Luke Cage is powerful. From its tone, imagery, music, and message to its real-life social parallels, Luke Cage is a powerful season of television. But despite the power, the show falls short in the back half of the season with weak villains, overused plot devices, and an all too fast ending.

Longer Version: Netflix recently released the newest of its street level Marvel hero in the form of Luke Cage, the super strong, bulletproof hero introduced in Jessica Jones. If Daredevil represents the power of courage, and Jessica Jones is power of will, then Luke Cage is heart. Who knows, when Iron Fist shows up, maybe we’ll be able to form Captain Planet? 

 The show’s strength shines through in in the casts performances of strong, mostly well developed characters, who all come from similar backgrounds and see their Harlem, and its future, as the correct one. This multi-perspective dynamic is what makes the show interesting and remarkable. 

Mike Colter’s performance as Luke Cage is not the brash one from the comic book. He is reserved with a quiet strength about him at all times. His earnestness is what sells the character as real during hard times. His faults make him human and a joy to watch. 

Simone Missick’s Mercedes “Misty” Knight is amazing, as she holds her ground against hero and villain alike. When she is on the screen, she is captivating and in command. Along with her, Rosario Dawson makes her third Netflix/Marvel appearance as Clair Temple, the nurse who patches up Daredevil and helps both Jessica Jones and Luke Cage in Jessica Jones. High praise to Marvel for their continuity. 

Mahershala Ali, who you may recall as Remy Danton from Netflix’s House of Cards, plays the main villain Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes. He is the “bad guy”; a man brought up in Harlem’s corruption and serves as Luke Cage’s “Kingpin”. Now, he is both likable and despicable. A good quality for a villain. But as his time goes on, the striking image of his character becomes more unhinged and less charismatic, causing the show to suffer. 

Alfre Woodard plays Mariah Dillard, Stoke’s cousin and the corrupt politician who really steals the villainous show. Her journey is the one worth watching. Now, the good people at Marvel have been very careful in their continuity between the TV shows and the movies. You may recall Alfre as the woman in Captain America: Civil War who found Tony Stark by the elevator after his speech at MIT and gave him the picture of her son who died in Sokivia. According to IMDB, they are separate characters. Personally, I hope she is the same character and Luke Cage was set prior to Cap 3. I would love to see it turn out that she is part of a plan to bring down the heroes. Time will tell. 

The power above Cottonmouth, the mysterious “Diamondback”, who you only know about through his emissary “Shades” Alvarez played by Sons of Anarchy alum Theo Rossi, makes his entrance as a late season villain. Sadly, Diamondback’s entrance, back story, and The-Joker-with-a-machine-gun schtick, is very tiresome and feels unwelcome. Diamondback’s psychotic nature is a stark contrast to Cottonmouth and Mariah, and frankly, unbelievable. His entrance with the last 5 episodes or so is where the plot of Luke Cage takes a swift nosedive. 

I can’t go into much about it specifically, less I give away a few spoilers, but from a storytelling perspective, the final act is weak. Not enough the ruin the season, but enough to leave a stain and a beautiful canvas. It felt like the showrunners crammed a potential 2nd season’s storyline into season one’s lengthy 13 episodes in the hopes of setting up for the eventual Defenders, which will unite Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. 

 I’ve read some reviews which fault the show for being too slow in the beginning. I disagree. The slow drama showcasing the lives of main, secondary and even tertiary characters is where the show shines. The first 60% of Luke Cage is engaging, reminiscent of Sons of Anarchy, The Wire and The Shield, at least, a toned down version. 

What people forget, or fail to realize, is that the Netflix Marvel shows are dramas first. And it is in that drama where the quality programming is. When the plot turns to classic superhero tropes, that is where the shows eventually fall. Frankly, they cannot compare to comic book action like the movies can. 

 In addition to the drama, the bullet-proof black man in a hoodie imagery is not subtle, nor should it. While show creator Cheo Hodari Coker claims the imagery was not a coincidence, evoking the late Trayvon Martin, Coker claimed he had no ‘agenda’. Regardless, the imagery works and works well. The running theme of the show is how a neighborhood, despite hardships, poverty and criminal elements, can overcome, and pull together. Those actions resonate with all walks and all races. Bravo Luke Cage. Luke’s arc, from simple man, with flashbacks of his time in prison and the gaining of his power, to the Hero of Harlem, to public enemy #1, and back, is worth binging on. 

The downside is, as I said, the rushed, muddled storytelling in the last 40% of the season. The aspects of the show which focuses on Diamondback are over the top implausible, despite the “grounded” nature of the first part of the show. When the eventual showdown between hero and villain happen, gone are the amazing, tense scenes and hallway fights Netflix original Marvel shows are known for. Instead, we are treated to a bad cosplay slug fest which is basically Ice Cube and Tiny “Debo” Lister’s final fight from the movie Friday. There are a few other eye-rolling plot devises used. Not to spoil anything, but the plot takes a turn when the villain is supplanted by another villain, and then yet another villain is thrown in there. 

Final Verdict: Luke Cage is worth your time and despite a rocky ending, worthy of a second season. It isn’t the plot which makes it good; the show has no twists and turns you didn’t see coming. But rather, like I said in the beginning, it is the heart which draws you in and pulls you through. Far from perfect, Luke Cage is a solid entrance into comic book TV.  

Suicide Squad: Dumb Fun -or- A Desperate Attempt

Short version: In my opinion, and only my opinion, Suicide Squad is a choppy mess that has a ton of potential which was wasted. The end result was a fairly paint-by-numbers comic film full of A-list talent which garnered a C/C- from me. It was on par, overall quality and story-wise, with Green Lantern or Ben Affleck’s Daredevil. It was simply “OK”.

 Longer Version: A lot of critics are being very harsh on Suicide Squad. IGN.com gave it a 5.9/10, the average score on Metacritic is 40% and Rotten Tomatoes has it sitting at a 26%. But, the user reviews have the movie sitting at a 72%. Once again we have a Critics vs. Fans stand off where the online snooty critics take umbrage with a summer flick because of...I don’t know, failed dreams of being a screen writer, coupled with their useless Film Studies Degree reasons. 

 Anyway, with that rationale and those numbers in mind, a buddy and I went and saw Suicide Squad with the mindset of: I just want to be entertained. 

 Damn it...the critics were right. (point to you, Film Studies sporting online professional assholes). 

 Look, I won’t spoil anything, because honestly, there is nothing to spoil. The movie is highly formulaic, highly predictable and HIGHLY edited. The result was a tonally inconsistent flick which made me think when they did the reshoots, they had a couple versions of the movie and edited it into this summer’s biggest letdown (come on, did you really think Independence Day 2 was going to be good?). 

 The first 20-30 minutes are really, really good. We get neat back stories, fun introductions, that trendy thing when a movie shows you someone, freeze frames, graphic designs pop up, and text scrawls on the screen giving them a bio. Just goofy fun. It felt tied to the DC cinematic universe as a whole, good cameos by Justice League members and Will Smith being Will Smith (take that as you want it based on your personal Big Will Threshold). You get his humor, style and of course come the end of the movie, the obligatory “Will Smith screaming in slow-motion during a dramatic moment” thing. 

 After the intro’s and the 20-30 minutes of cool, we get into the main plot in a very poor, very edited, very time hopping way (seriously, Rick Flagg goes from having a trendy modern haircut to a military cut from one scene to the next) which takes these characters (who have never met before) and throw them into THE END OF THE WORLD SAVING scenario over the course of about 6-12 hours of in continuity time. The setting is average, the villain’s henchmen are CGI blob-men and the action is at best OK. And, we get Karen Fukuhara as the samurai sword wielding Katana halfway through the movie to watch Flagg’s back because of...reasons?

 And to cap it off, the reluctant team has no training montage, no real skills highlighting moments, and no team unity. They are grabbed, thrown together in seconds, and sent to the center of the abandoned city to get to the modern day classic “blue laser/portal in the sky” doomsday situation, which has permeated a lot of modern comic movies. Note: I knock the movie for doing this. It seems unfair, since so many other films have done it, but DC needed a win with this flick and instead they swung and missed. 

 But, what about Harley Quinn and Joker? Which is, let’s be honest, why people go to see this movie and why, at least in my opinion, people are giving the movie a pass/good reviews. People love Harley. She is, in many minds, bullet proof as a character, despite being a comic book poster child of domestic abuse: http://www.mkgibson.com/blogs-and-other-ramblings/2016/5/16/the-killing-pork-or-praising-domestic-abuse 

 Let me be honest. She was both good, and bad. Margo Robbie did a great job being Harley. That being said, she did nothing to be a character. She was more of a caricature of the beloved Ms. Quinn. She affected the speech pattern, said “puddin’” a bunch and had her bat, mallet and general psycho goofiness. But, she never made it her own. So, the result was, like I said, a caricature rather than a characterization. As well, Harley was HIGHLY sexualized. Most scenes she is in are shot and framed in ways to make her sexuality first and foremost. When she is in a scene, you can practicality hear the director off screen screaming “Sluttier! Good, now bend over, highlight those booty shorts! Yes, YES! Now, lapdance! Now, lick that prison bar in a suggesting manner!” 

 And as for Joker...he was OK. Not in the movie as much as the trailer leads you to believe. He is now a mob boss, complete with his own club and suit wearing minions. Jared Leto’s take on Joker is reminiscent of a James Cagney gangster with a passion for the crazy. As well, the film removes Joker’s abusive relationship with Harley. Instead, we get a devoted and obsessed Joker who will stop at nothing to get her back. I see why the writers removed his abuse from the canonical lore, but replacing it with sheer love-stricken obsession wasn’t in-line with Joker.  

 The rest of the squad is barely there. Most of them are overlooked or ignored, forced into the background while the main characters do the heavy lifting. There is one exception, and that is Jay Hernandez as Diablo, who is the most well rounded and interesting character on the Suicide Squad. 

  But, the movie’s real highlight is Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, DC’s Nick Fury. She is intimidating, incredible, ruthless and brilliant. As the DCU continues forward, I hope her character is at the heart of it all, pulling the strings. 

 In summation, Suicide Squad was, to me, a below average disjointed, stitched together sometimes comedy, sometimes drama, often time music video, and generally bland action movie. I know that sounds harsh. But, once you start watching it, there will be no surprises, no break out moments, no quotable lines and no reason, outside of a director’s cut, to watch it again. On a positive note, DC is moving into a better direction. Less emo, more entertaining. The latest Justice League trailer has me hopeful for a DCCU which should be more like the Justice League animated series. 

 Box office numbers are good for this weekend, but time will tell if this movie has any legs. DC tried to make their Guardians of the Galaxy or Hellboy’s BPRD team and came up short. All that being said, if you want to watch an honestly good Suicide Squad movie, watch the animated Batman: Assault on Arkham. You won’t regret it.

 Official Score: You ever go out with someone on a first date and had a great time? But, by the third date, you realize you aren’t that interested in them? Well Suicide Squad, it’s not you, it’s me. See, I just got out of the relationship and I’m not ready to get back into one. Like me on Facebook and we can be friends. 

Review: Daredevil Season 2

Fast Review for Short Attention Spans

Season 2 is 70% good, 30% meh, with an awesome Punisher, a lackluster Elektra, more Ninja’s in New York than cabs and several cool cameo appearances. Binge 2-4 episodes at a time.

Summary

Daredevil’s sophomore season threw a one-two punch which hit me in the heart and head. Matt Murdock is back with Karen “I-can’t-stop-touching-my-hair-and-turning-my-head” Page and Foggy “I’m-an-adult-who-looks-like-a-giant-infant” Nelson as they meet, fight, then legally defend Frank Castle, The Punisher. 

 Seemingly out of no where, comic book favorite Elektra comes back into Matt’s life. With the help of a few flashbacks, we learn about Matt/Elektra’s past relationship and falling out. Reunited with his former love naturally follows TV tropes and pulls Matt away from the team of Nelson & Murdock, driving a wedge between not only their collective business but their friendships. In helping Elektra, Matt must contend with the return of The Hand and his old mentor Stick, while Foggy and Karen try to keep the business afloat.

 Real Talk

Look, this season was NOT as good as the first, which I expected. After an origin story, it’s hard to create a compelling follow-up. But, most of the season worked. I stress the most part. 

 I felt everything with Elektra detracted from the A-story of The Punisher and his emotional journey. Yes, The Punisher will shoot you right in the feels. Which is surprising coming from Marvel’s favorite vigilante. No, not Wolverine the one with guns. No, not Deadpool..sigh. OK, Marvel’s 3rd favorite vigilante.

 Electra was presented as a snotty, spoiled, rich crazy girl who would take you out, break into a house and wanna dry-hump on a stranger’s couch. Basically Angelina Jolie in the late ‘90’s/early 2000’s. While Elodie Yung did a fine job portraying Elektra, there was no emotional resonance with her, especially compared to the other top-notch drama this season had to offer. The bulk of her story revolved around pulling Matt away from his friends to help her business and fight ninjas. Her late season story arc revolving around her past with Stick and her destiny felt too little, too late. 

Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page and Elden Hensen as Foggy Nelson turn in amazing performances. Charlie Cox was actually the least compelling of the trio as Matt. He was adequate, but not the scene stealer he was in Season 1 (was I the only person who was shocked he was the same scrawny English kid from 2007’s Stardust?) 

 The real star this season was Shane Bernthal as The Punisher. Based off of his performance in The Walking Dead, I assumed he was a meat-head lunk who was going to mumble his way through the show. But, I was dead wrong. He takes the Punisher from a psycho killer to a down to earth man, to a repentant, weeping father, to a back-against-the-wall, hard-core badass anti-hero. His story arc is the reason to watch season 2. 

 In season 1, fans will remember that awesome single-shot hallway fight to save the child. Season 2 tries to recapture that magic as Daredevil has to protect the Punisher after being kidnapped by him. The fight is similar to The Raid in reverse, as the fight goes down the building, with incredible action, whipping chains and exhaustive violence. You will let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. 

Suck my ass season 1! Gaaarrgh!

 Based off of this season, ninjas are the new Redshirts and Stormtroopers - background death fodder. While the choreography is top notch, sadly, most of the fights feel like filler. Now, I love a good action scene. But, I like the scene to have purpose. The bulk of this season’s ninja fights have no purpose other than to showcase how awesome (and sometimes vulnerable) Daredevil is, which we already know. And, there are a LOT of ninja battles, to the point where they become white noise and you itch for the remote to skip past them. 

Then, there is the romantic angle. The show has Matt and Karen gravitating towards one another, which, I thought was odd since Foggy and Karen had a connection in season 1 and clearly a deeper connection in season 2. But, I guess once again the TV trope gods must be fed , so a love triangle it is with Matt, Karen and Elektra.  

 Lastly is Matt Murdock himself. I was conflicted as he brings the action and his giant, warm heart in the first third-to-half of the season. But, as the show progresses, I found myself caring less and less for Matt as a person. Which I don’t think is the purpose of a show where he is the center. He is confrontational with his friends, skeptical towards his old mentor, deceptive about his time spent with Elektra and betrays his own convictions. Perhaps this was the point, to make the hero more human. But I felt it was a miss. The final scene of season 2, which I won’t spoil, sets up season three and attempts to mend the fences Matt tore down. 

 I don’t want my entire review to come off as too negative (too late?). The parts which work, which is 70% of the show, really work. The remaining 30% does weight the overall season down, but does not kill it.

 Summary

Definitely watch it. Be a little wary of binge watching. By your 43rd ninja rooftop fight, it all starts running together in one big, nighttime, battle royal. 

 They set up season three very well. But, if all the ninjas and pseudo-mysticism is what Neflix has in mind for the upcoming Iron Fist, then I think you already already saw it in season 2 of Daredevil. Just replace Matt with a rich, sighted CEO and you have the same thing. 

 Grade - Based off the Sex Scale

Season 2 of Daredevil is like having really good sex, but at one point in the middle, your partner gets into a weird, go-nowhere rhythm which goes on a little too long and it pulls you out of he moment. You briefly consider, maybe doing something else? But, you stick with it as you both finish. The overall experience is good, if just a little tainted. You are looking forward to the next encounter.