The Defenders: Mid-Binge Thoughts

Marvel Netflix's titular The Defenders isn't the grand slam we had all hoped for. It's more like a double that only knocked in a run or two. Here's why:

• Finn Jones and Danny Rand continues to be uncompelling. This man child chi-user seems out of place from his counterparts. I cannot fathom seeing this version of Danny becoming best friends with Luke Cage. Centering this show's entire premise was not a good idea. 

• You would think with the episode order cut from the Netflix average of 13 down to just 8 that this team-up would need to pick up its pace in order to tell a cool and action-packed narrative for the first meeting of its heroes, but sadly this is not the case. The main plot moves at a snail's pace with a few dust-ups sprinkled in (Don't worry, the hallways and dark alleyway fights for which we have become accustomed are there). But unlike the current season of Game of Thrones, which also saw it's episodes cut, The Defenders is not using it's short schedule to make all 8 episodes exciting. The series so far just doesn't feel worth it. Maybe this should have a 2 hour Netflix movie instead?

• To the show's credit, it has delivered some great character moments. With at least a full season of stories devoted to each of the main protagonists (Luke, Matt, Jessica, and Danny), the audience knows these characters pretty well, but seeing them all finally interact with one another is exciting (even if it takes several episodes to finally happen). The side players (Foggy, Colleen, Claire, Misty, Rachel) are delegated to the background but each of them is always a welcome prescene, as is the great Scott Glenn's Stick, who plays an incredibly angry old man just the way Frank Miller intended.

                                       

Overall the show is just solid. So much of our media is thought of as either great or shit. Well guess what there is something called the middle and that is where The Defenders lies. My suggestion: Cut each individual show's episodes down to ten a piece and make the next Defenders a team-up movie. But hey I'm only mid-way through, maybe the second half is great and I'm just a whiny ass. I sure hope so.

P.S. Add in Blade, Punisher, or Ghost Rider to the mix for the next round.

Jessica Jones Is Awesome

Forget the movies, Marvel's Netflix series (No Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. does not count) are by far their greatest accomplishment. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are both excellent character pieces told over 13 episodes. Their stakes are considerably smaller than the movies, but the tension feels much greater because these stories are much more personal. Basically I'm just saying I'm halfway through JJ and I know that I prefer these series to those sugar coated fairytales that Marvel puts out twice a year. I'd rather see Daredevil beat the shit out of child traffickers or Jessica Jones and Luke Cage "super-fuck" than to watch (SPOILER FOR INFINITY WAR) Tony Stark braid Thor's hair.

Also Vincent D'Onofrio as the Kingpin and David Tennant as the Purple Man are two of the three best villains in the MCU. The other is Loki. There is no debate.

Are you liking Jessica Jones? Which do you prefer: Marvel TV or Marvel Movies? Sound off in the comments.

A full review of Jessica Jones will be up this week. For all my thoughts on comics, TV, movies, and various other bs follow me on twitter @cstrand73.

Elodie Yung Is Electra in Davedevil's Second Season

Hot off the heels of adding Jon Bernthal (Wolf Of Wall Street) as the Punisher, Marvel TV has announced that actress Elodie Yung (GI Joe: Retaliation) will also join the series as Matt Murdoch's ex-girlfriend Electra. The character was briefly mentioned in DD's tenth episode and it sure will be interesting to see how the show introduces both Electra and the Punisher. 

Source: Marvel

This chick ain't fucking around

What do you think of Elodie Yung? Can she be better than Jennifer Garner? Sound off in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for all our TV + movie reviews. as well as our editorials.

P.S. Where the fuck is Bullseye? 

Jon Bernthal Will Be The Punisher in Daredevil's Second Season

Chocolate + Peanut Butter. Corey + Topanga. Oreos and Milk (Also try it with American Cheese. Sounds gross, tastes awesome). These are all classic pairings that work perfectly together. Well be ready to add another pairing to that list because Marvel has just knocked it out of the park with it's latest casting decision for it's next season of it's Netflix hit Daredevil. 

          Way back in April, at the end of my review for the second half of Daredevil's first season I made a plea for Frank Castle/The Punisher to appear in next year's series of episodes. Wasn't sure it was actually gonna happen. Low and behold Marvel not only brings in Frank Castle for Matt Murdoch's second rodeo, but they also cast the perfect actor imaginable to play the hardened vigilante, Jon Bernthal. That's right. Shane, the world's most loyal best friend, from The Walking Dead is going to roam the streets of Hell's Kitchen looking for trouble. Now that is damn exciting. Bernthal is a damn fine actor and is sure to own this role.

Source: Marvel

So what will Frank Castle's role in the series be? Perhaps he'll be a comrade for Matt to help further each other on their vigilante crusades? Maybe he'll be a client for Nelson + Murdoch to defend? Or maybe he could be a straight up villain? All of those are certainly possible  but what I think is going to happen is that Frank + Matt are going to have a conflict of ideologies. Throughout Season 1, Matt tried to not cross a line into killing bad people. There is no line for Frank Castle. He won't just beat the shit out of the bunch of dudes in a hallway. He'll beat them then put a slug through their fucking skulls. Frank isn't fucking around and if he is leaving a trail of bodies, Daredevil is sure to try follow the corpses to the source. If these two duke it out, expect a fight for the ages.

P.S. Now cast Bullseye! 

Everyone's reaction to this news

Thanks for reading! Are you excited for Bernthal's Punisher? Will he and Daredevil butt heads? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for all our TV + movie reviews. 

Daredevil Season 1 Midseason (Ep.1-6) Review

The path to the Defenders begins as Matt Murdoch's journey to becoming the the Man Without Fear is set in motion in the all new Netflix/Marvel show Daredevil. (Very Mild Spoilers)

Episode Description: Matt Murdock opens his law practice while also starting his career as a nightly vigilante.

High Points (Ep 1-6)

• Excellent performances from the entire cast, Cox in particular.
• Brutal fights scenes are reminiscent of Spartacus. Every punch that is thrown in this show has consequences. Nobody leaves a fight unscathed. It is the type of bone crushing violence that Frank Miller loves.
• That hallway fight at the end of the second episode is legendary. 
• Love how Matt's powers are really secondary to his fighting skills. 
• Slow burn introduction to Wilson Fisk. 
• Fisk reminds me of Tony Soprano not because they are two fat mob guys, but rather they both have two sides to them. A family side and the violent monster they can unleash when needed.
• Speaking again on the level of violence this show is by far the darkest content Marvel Studios has produced. Marvel is showing it has balls.
• Because this is a show and not a movie, every character gets a chance to stand out. From Foggy to Urich to Fisk each person has had their strong character moments.
• Flashbacks to Matt's past are utilized quite well (You hear that Arrow?). 
• Ties to the rest of the MCU are there, but this still feels like a great standalone story in a small corner of the MCU. I love that the stakes are smaller than world conquest but that doesn't make it any less interesting.
• I would be remiss not to mention I love Rosario Dawson as Night Nurse. 
• The show makes good use of Murdoch and Nelson as defense attorneys. This led to some great court room scenes.
• This show makes several choices to distance themselves from 2003's Daredevil and they all work. Especially how they display Matt using his powers.

Showrunner Steven DeKnight knows how to build great fight scenes

Low Points (Ep 1-6)

• Opening episode is slowly paced
• I understand showing a different side of the Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) when we first see him, but him courting his future wife from the art gallery are the least interesting scenes on the show.
• Some early humor falls flat.
• I wish we got to see Battlin' Murdoch fight Crusher Creel.
• The show launched at 3:00 am EST. 

Was anyone else waiting to see Battlin' Jack save Fisk from Zed + the gimp?

Verdict (Ep 1-6): Daredevil is exactly what the Marvel cinematic universe needed. Something different, something dark that stand-alones from it's other popular properties. Using Netflix as a platform for it's newest TV show, Marvel has finally allowed for some darker tones mixed with brutal violence. Not every part of the Marvel universe is so chipper and this show cements that fact.
          As a lead Charlie Cox is a star. You will actually believe his Matt Murdoch would go out and be able to handle himself against insane mob fighters. Then when needed he can flip a switch and be an ace in the courtroom. As for his associates Foggy, Karen, and Claire each of them have their moments. I am particular to say that I am a massive Rosario Dawson fan and love that she is on this show. I hope she pops up in Jessica Jones + Luke Cage as well. Just outstanding casting all around.
         Lastly, I just cannot say enough about the fighting on this show. I thought Arrow had great stunt choreography. This show makes that stuff look like it's for pre-schoolers. Each brawl is intense and never ends with only one or two punches. Feels more like a man is fighting another man. No super strength or armor here. Really helps keep the spirit of the Daredevil the comic character alive.
          Truly I made this review short because I want to go back to binging this awesome show. Daredevil is legit and gets an 8.5 out of 10 for it's first 6 episodes. Can't wait to see what the next 7 have in store.

Best Episode So Far: Episode #2 "Cut Man"
          

Thanks for reading! What do you think of Daredevil's 1st season? Who should be introduced in season 2? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow and Flash reviews.