Marvel's The Defenders redeems Iron Fist, reinvigorates Daredevil
Marvel’s The Defenders brings together Netflix’ 4 New York based heroes in an 8 part series that delivers the goods. The Defenders redeems a lackluster Danny Rand/ Iron Fist, making him a major player and not just a whiny, rich boy. Delving more into Rand as he is today rather than the back and forth with his past helps to bring him more to life and makes him likable.
Netflix also gives the Daredevil of Hell’s Kitchen his due allowing him to become the hero he was always supposed to be even as he was trying to embrace the lawyer inside. Jessica Jones and Luke Cage play their roles in the battle and outside, but their character arcs aren’t as dramatic or as gripping. Cage is still a do-gooder, and Jones is a drunk, sarcastic, anti-hero.
The four play well together, especially when they aren’t playing nicely. Marvel and Netflix do a great job of keeping the feel of each character (the sweet jazz of Cage, the blurring hardcore of Jones) while judiciously blending them together to create a harmonious, at least as far as the series is concerned if not from the action during the series, whole. The fights are well choreographed, but the series excels with its quieter moments.
Sigourney Weaver exudes strength even while she hides her true nature, and the bad guys reveal clearly why bad guys fail when they team up. Timely topics are touched upon in the start and let go as the stakes are raised. If you can suspend your disbelief and the knowledge that this is a Marvel extended universe show, the 2 reveals that happen near the end are, respectively, surprising and powerfully done. There is an after credits teaser that Netflix somehow ignores in tossing the viewer to the rating screen. Watch it and get punished.
Marvel’s the Defenders does better than just entertain. It brings more to the table for the next stage in Netflix’ superhero series, and it brings the grit that the earlier shows have been known for. Binge-watching required!
Read What happens when you bring 4 fighters to a D&D campaign?
Netflix also gives the Daredevil of Hell’s Kitchen his due allowing him to become the hero he was always supposed to be even as he was trying to embrace the lawyer inside. Jessica Jones and Luke Cage play their roles in the battle and outside, but their character arcs aren’t as dramatic or as gripping. Cage is still a do-gooder, and Jones is a drunk, sarcastic, anti-hero.
The four play well together, especially when they aren’t playing nicely. Marvel and Netflix do a great job of keeping the feel of each character (the sweet jazz of Cage, the blurring hardcore of Jones) while judiciously blending them together to create a harmonious, at least as far as the series is concerned if not from the action during the series, whole. The fights are well choreographed, but the series excels with its quieter moments.
Sigourney Weaver exudes strength even while she hides her true nature, and the bad guys reveal clearly why bad guys fail when they team up. Timely topics are touched upon in the start and let go as the stakes are raised. If you can suspend your disbelief and the knowledge that this is a Marvel extended universe show, the 2 reveals that happen near the end are, respectively, surprising and powerfully done. There is an after credits teaser that Netflix somehow ignores in tossing the viewer to the rating screen. Watch it and get punished.
Marvel’s the Defenders does better than just entertain. It brings more to the table for the next stage in Netflix’ superhero series, and it brings the grit that the earlier shows have been known for. Binge-watching required!
Read What happens when you bring 4 fighters to a D&D campaign?