3.5/5
Echo Chamber.
5 Episodes. Starring: Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, Cody Lightning, Graham Greene & Vincent D'Onofrio. Director: Sydney Freeland. On: Disney +.
Loving to hate seems to be the modern world's M.O. these days. Especially "socially". And in particular when it comes to the forms of media that provided them with so much fun and fancy-free entertainment in the past. During dark times too, like the planet's pandemic. It's a Marvel(s) that fans almost relish an M.C.U. movie being bad. Sick of superhero movies that they shouldn't watch if they don't like, and leave to the fans that have been there since the beginning. Blaming it on Disney's diversity or Hulk's being 'She' in this woke age, although the 'Attorney At Law' had being like that for years. All whilst having the 'Selective Outrage' of hating on comedians who make just a joke out of all of this/ But then when a truly groundbreaking, hero for all, show comes along, then people jump back on the bandwagon with a sign that points to virtue signalling. And Marvel's new five-part series on Hulu and Disney + echoes that sentiment. But at least 'Echo' is getting the Marvel Spotlight it deserves, like a 'Werewolf By Night', live in living colour.
Spinning-off perfectly on a chopper from the 'Hawkeye' series, where she made her debut a few last Christmases ago. And feeling like the Kingpin street-level world of Netflix's former 'Daredevil' in more ways to be taken as red, Alaqua Cox's Maya Lopez keeps shooting-straight, right between the eye. The Native American (Menominee) exploring her character's hometown Oklahoma roots in this 'Logan' like run. Burning motorcycle rubber to the iconic theme tune of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Cox was born deaf and also has a prosthetic leg, but what really reaches you is both her amazing acting talent and the subtle beauty she brings to a more nuanced Marvel movie like show. Showing that anyone can be a hero, regardless of disability, especially when their other abilities and human nature are truly super. Also honouring where she comes from and the roots of a hero (of sorts, and hopefully redemption) that takes place in the real America and all the history that had either been forgotten, or worse still, erased. It's a community effort, led by the likes of the fond and funny Cody Lighting (one drive-by reaction moment is absolutely hilarious), and featuring standout performances from 'Twilight's' Chaske Spencer, 'Reservation Dogs'' Devery Jacobs and 'Westworld' and 'Fargo's' Zahn McClarnon. First appearing on 'Hawkeye' in a cataclysmic moment of cruelty from a hero wandering like a Ronin.
Yet, Sydney Freeland's lead directed series finds new ground with some absolute legends. Everybody's favourite Graham Greene ('Dances With Wolves', 'Maverick' and 'The Green Mile') plays a kindly shopkeeper from Maya's past who suits up heroes with even better accessories than the man who loves Betsy. Whilst his 'Wind River' co-star Tantoo Cardinal continues her incredible run of late after stealing the show in Scorsese's 'Killers Of The Flower Moon'. The Canadian actress of Cree and Métis heritage already has the Order Of Canada. And now the 'Dances With Wolves' and 'Legends Of The Fall' icon is getting the attention she rightfully should have in Hollywood for this deep and definitively affecting performance of power. Green and Cardinal have been here before...together, but now it's time to see their names in the spotlights they so richly deserve, but have never needed.
Born again, and springing more superhero surprises you'll want to stick around for, Vincent D'Onofrio is king again for more than a day in a Yakuza white suit soaked in red like the big hit this mobster is since he made his 'Daredevil' debut. In the same week as he plays a "master of disguise" in Kevin Hart's 'Lift' heist ensemble for Netflix, D'Onofrio is having himself a week with this completely different character. More than a "You should never have embarrassed me in front of Vanessa" hilarious mannequin meme, Vincent's deeply felt and nuanced portrayal all the way down to the voice is Jackman as 'Logan', or RDJ as Stark iconic. In any multiverse, nobody could do it as classic as this best big bad. But from great train robberies, to amusement arcade throwdowns that hark back to 'Hawkeye', released in its entirety, nothing translates better than 'Echo' and the ensemble ending. The ripple effect will last for generations to come. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Hawkeye', 'Daredevil', 'Prey'.
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