While being around for decades, Luke Cage hadn't really gotten mainstream attention until he became part of the Avengers in 2004 and boasting a more contemporary look, later making appearances in video games (Spider-Man: Web of Shadows and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2) and animated series (Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes). At the time of their announcement, Luke Cage was probably my third most anticipated Netflix series after Daredevil and Iron Fist. We saw Cage's MCU debut in Jessica Jones' series, giving us just a taste of the character in anticipation of his own series, and it's within this series that we truly get to know this character as well as see aspects we haven't before in the MCU.
As I said in my Jessica Jones review, Mike Colter was probably the perfect choice to play Cage. He embodies pretty much every thing I know about the character and how you'd expect him to be. While mainly a supporting character in Jessica Jones, we finally get to see the character for who he truly is, and he's much different from the other Netflix heroes we've seen so far. For the most part, Cage is very open with who he is and works to help others when he can, offering a sense of hope. He doesn't hide his identity like Daredevil and while his past haunts him, he doesn't let it consume him like Jessica. He's essentially a man of the people, even being described in the show as "Harlem's Captain America". In one episode where we learn his origins, I constantly got a "Shawshank Redemption" vibe. Besides that, Cage is sometimes quippy, which I believe adds a little more humor compared to the other Netflix shows (I cracked a smile every time he said "Sweet Christmas"), and is very smooth with the ladies. He's just an all around fun character to watch.
In terms of tone, I'd have to say this is the most authentic environment I've seen in a Marvel production. What I mean is that the character interactions just feel natural and I believe this is best shown during the scenes at Pop's Barber Shop, just people shooting the shit with each other; I think that goes hand in hand with Cage's more open nature compared to Daredevil's or Jessica's. You get a real sense of community and solidarity (particularly during a segment in episode 12 with multiple people wearing hoodies with holes in them similar to Cage when he gets shot at as a way to support him) and when something happens to any character, you feel something for them. In addition, the tone matches those of the other Netflix series in terms of intense violence and more. In some ways, it takes it even further than it has before. Pretty much anything can happen outside of saying "fuck" or showing a woman's nipple. Plus, if you never thought you'd hear the 'n' word uttered in something Marvel related, prepare to be wrong.
The action is pretty much what you'd expect when it comes to a bullet proof, super strong hero. There's a lot of shoot outs with Cage just walking through them, often crushing guns beyond repair, and knocking thugs out with just one hit, which does make for some funny moments. It's kind of what I was expecting back in Jessica Jones, that someone super strong should just take care of an enemy with just one hit.
Much like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Suicide Squad", the show offers a very unique array of music that really helps build some atmosphere to tie into what was happening in that moment. It's not my kind of music preference, but I really enjoyed which and in what way the songs were used. Episode 12 even includes an original song called "Bulletproof Love" by rapper Method Man, who Cage saved prior. Lots of superheroes get their own theme song; now Luke Cage does.
We have two supporting female leads in the series with Detective Misty Knight (played by Simmone Missick) and Claire Temple (reprised by Rosario Dawson and returning from Daredevil and Jessica Jones). They're both very independent and can handle themselves well, taking Luke's help when they absolutely need it. It was interesting to watch Misty's character development, believing in the system and questioning if Luke's actions are helping or hurting Harlem, only to continue to have her faith shaken throughout the series. As for Claire, this is the mos prominent she's been in all her appearances so far in my opinion. While she was important in Daredevil, the chemistry between her and Luke just made her feel even more so.
Now for the villains. While Daredevil and Jessica Jones have had one main villain, Luke Cage has a myriad of villains that are very entertaining in their own ways.
* Diamondback: In a way, this character reminded me of the Reverse Flash, in that he hates the hero mostly because he can't be him. I won't go into any spoilers, but there's a lot of bad blood between him and Cage that makes for some entertaining interactions. If anything though, his emotions and hatred of Cage constantly gets the better of him, which leads to forming what should be a really stupid plan in episode 11, even if it does work. In his final battle with Cage, he wears a battle suit that I thought looked really ridiculous.
* Cottonmouth and Mariah Dillard: Cousins raised in the same home, these two have a very unique relationship, having the same goals but working on different sides of the line (even if the latter has one foot across it). Cottonmouth was a pretty scary guy, acting calm and cool one moment and then going berserk the next (much like Kingpin), although he does have a sense of honor. As for Dillard, one thing I liked about her is that in the first episode, she remarks that they shouldn't be overconfident or they could end up like Fisk; it shows that with everything going on in New York, the bad guys know they need to play it smart. And due to her performance by Alfre Woodard, she reminded me of Amanda Waller, although much more emotionally vulnerable in comparison. It initially makes her a sympathetic character, but as the show reaches its conclusion, you will quickly grow to hate her, but in the way that you love to hate her as a villain. It was with these two, as well as Diamondback, that I've started to notice that the main villains of these Netflix series like Kingpin and Kilgrave all seem to have horrible childhoods. I don't if I should go so far as to say that it's starting to get played out, but there could be room for variety.
* Shades: Out of all the villains, this guy was just fun to watch. He has a very smooth and charismatic side as well as conniving and manipulative, which makes me feel like he's probably the smartest of all the villains of the show.
* Tone: Okay, honestly, this guy only last for two episodes, but what he does is so damn evil that he deserves a mention.
Another thing I've come to realize after this show is the perception of how Marvel uses their villains between the movies and TV shows. While the movie villains seem to be hits or misses or somewhere in between, the Netflix villains usually receive the most praise. The way I see it, it's because since the Netflix series are basically 13 hour movies, it gives the writers much more time to write fleshed out characters. Honestly, if the villains are written well, I don't care how much time is focused on them.
Much like season two of Daredevil, Luke Cage ends on a bit of a dark note, even more so than Daredevil in my opinion, but there is still a sense of hope. Between these two, it makes me wonder just how the plot threads laid out will factor into "Defenders", because that will be the next appearance for both heroes given the projected release schedule of the Netflix series.
Overall, Luke Cage is another successful series for Marvel and Netflix, once again giving us a variety of new things, despite a few things spark some familiarity. The way I see it, Jessica Jones is still the best series, Daredevil is still my favorite, but Luke Cage is right behind them, although it was better than season two of Daredevil.
RATING: 9.5/10
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