CAGE needs more Power, Man

Marvel has had a successful outing on Netflix, and the latest, Luke Cage, certainly has all the makings of a another hit by the numbers. Critically speaking, this is the most disappointing of Marvel’s three series. By no means is Luke Cage  awful, rather, lacking at best and, for two episodes anyway, even downright boring.

Huge props to Mike Colter who plays the titular hero with swag, class and charm. This series has definitely shown that not only is he a good actor, but he can definitely lift the lifeblood of a show on his large, 2XL-shoulders, something that was questionable during his guest-star appearances on Jessica Jones.

What Luke Cage was lacking was an intense, and let’s face it, better-written villain. Mahershala Ali’s Cottonmouth had the potential to be something great – a Kingpin for Harlem, a character that has good intentions, but uses questionable means for execution – but was dispatched entirely too early for the inevitable rise and fall. Erik LaRay Harvey’s Diamondback was an ill-fitting substitute antagonist; a cliché comicbook villain with a one-note revenge scheme and an invisible moustache to twirl.

Marvel has been doing its best to ground these Netflix heroes, but in doing so, should have looked to past, counter to what Pops always told Luke, and instead of creating a super-powered force for the big street brawl, and maintained a Lou-Ferrigno-as-the-Hulk beat-down of goons with guns while smashing through walls. Sweet Christmas, that would have shown some power, man.

As Always,

theJOE