Cage Rematch.
13 Episodes. Starring: Mike Colter, Simone Missick, Theo Rossi, Mustafa Shakir, Reg E. Cathey, Ron Cephas Jones, Finn Jones, Rosario Dawson & Alfre Woodard. Creator: Cheo Hodari Coker.
Sweet Christmas has come early. 'Luke Cage' is back. But don't call it a comeback Cool J. He's been Marvel's notorious crowned, first B.I.G. black, revolution televised superhero for years. Before the Wakanda forever of this years 'Black Panther' blockbuster game changer on a 'Wonder Woman' woke level. Even before T'Challa's 'Civil War' debut pre-'Infinity' with the conclusion of 'Captain America's' trilogy arc. This was back in the Purple Man, Killgrave haze of 2015. Roasting coffee with P.I. and Marvel's own first female superhero alias with her own show going on, 'Jessica Jones'. Oh and did he and Mrs, Mrs Jones have a thing "goooing on"! The pair of them doing to her headboard, what seemingly a circular saw couldn't do to Luke's bare midriff. And now following his crossover debut, his own solo show and then the superteam assemble, with 'Luke Cage' Series 2 this Defender has logged more Netflix run than any of New York's finest. Let alone from Cap to Iron Man, anyone in the M.C.U. as a whole, aside from Agent Caulson and his S.H.I.E.L.D. As Harlem's Hero for Hire, Power Man brings the black power back like a raised, indestructible fist of pride that refuses to be unclenched. The bulletproof monk adds more ammunition to Marvel and Netflix's bulletproof wallets, following the power SLAM from former XXL magazine journalist Cheo Hodari Coker's expertly executive produced, formidable force of a first season in boom. Followed by the eighth wonder of 'The Defenders' team-up last calender and this years still as compelling second season of the jazz and scotch and love on the rocks with a twist infused 'Jessica Jones'. Bringing power for women like this black power in a world sick of being washed white by men who think they run it all. Just think of this years Netflix run of Jones and Cage as the screens smaller than 'Ant-Man & The Wasp' equivalent of Wonder Woman and Black Panther in a year when Thanos is making war just by clicking his fingers (I bet he couldn't crush Cage to dust) when he's not providing Cable for Deadpool too. Or fire and ice. Because Jessica Jones may put you down, but when Luke Cage brings his knockout blow you stay down like The Punisher telling Daredevil how it is in a second season so good to be Frank it built Castle his own show. And now this right to left hook from Luke is the Gang Starr earned follow up that's titles pay tribute to Pete Rock and CL Smooth for the records. All whilst set off by that iconic Mobb Deep snare and 'Shook Ones' street-beat as Cage wreaks warehouse havoc and machine gun funk in African American College Alliance sweats. Yep the hooded hero is a role-model star now. So much so he has his own Run-DMC logo t-shirt. Because it's like that...and that's the way it is.
Hook! Check this out even 'Charlies Angel' Lucy Liu directs an episode here (the outstanding opener)...'Elementary' my dear. And the 'Kill Bill' assassin kills it in super slow motion sidewalks and an inspired introduction to a venomous villain (no Tom Hardy) called Bushmaster (*stifles snigger and looks for the appropriate Gif*). One so Cage match matching you'll almost forget how much you miss marvelous 'Moonlight' Oscar winner and 'True Detectice' to be Marhershala Ali's knockout Cottonmouth, who ended up getting stomped out and microphone dropped before he even had his chance to sing bud. A lion out of, or for 'Cage' looking to be king, 'Brawl In Cell Block 99' brawler Mustafa Shakir plays a Jamaican who wants to take the queen down for New York. And Mustafa's performance is as accented as the Marley from his mouth like son Stephen singing. As compelling as the first time you see him in the club on the second Fugees trailer looking to set the score. Ready or not. Here he comes. You can't hide. He's gonna find Luke Cage like everyone else with that superhero finder app...yeah and you thought you could catch 'em all with Pokemon Go! Yep, Luke Cage is a Twitter trending, selfie social superstar now in this millennial age. But is the fame going to his head like an attention seeking Snapchat filter? Because the strong, silent type is ready to go violent when means necessary, as Marvel's Martin channels his inner Malcolm X. This trouble man like Marvin going deeper and darker in Season 2. From Harlem's protector, to a man ready to fight for N.Y. But the former 'Good Wife' hustler still has that good fight ambition. As Mike Colter collects more than nickels and dimes for his swear jar, cleaning up the streets like he used to brush up hair in the Switzerland continental grounds, otherwise known as Pops Barbershop. The actor that broke your heart in 'Men In Black 3' has so much more here, behind a bruised soul from all the gut punches and cheap shots he's took. But the man whose about to take racism to task in 'Skin' with a tougher than leather coat on his arms still knows how to stand up for his people here as deep rooted as flesh and blood. Across 110th street there's still an angel in Harlem, no matter what devil tries to clip his wings.
Lucky for Luke he still has some sidekicks standing in his corner after his gloves off Frazier to Ali K.O. by the master of bush. Like a simmering Simone Missick's Misty Knight copping her place at the roundtable. In defence of 'The Defenders' she may have lost her right arm like everyone else in Marvel's Phase 2. But now with a Winter Soldier one she's ready to Yoyo with anyone willing to leave her hanging or drop another tired "need a hand" joke. Peep the way on the mist of a murder riddled night, Mercedes rides through the memories of a crime scene with directed inspiration. And of course how about the night nursing, double-shift working defender of the Defenders Rosario Dawson? The 'Unstoppable' actress whose the only one to appear in every Marvel Netflix show here pulling double-duty as Luke's love and her own enhanced individual with abilities. But Dawson is more than just the one who always makes the coffee now, or nurses Cage's wounds. And this Netflix shows season may be Rosario's realest yet. And with Pops cutting hair in heaven, Luke's barbershop chatter and counsel comes from 'He Got Game' playground legend Ron Cephas Jones. The former player in a Superfly Groovey Lou suit has a handle on everything like the knights and queens on his Central Park chessboard. Checkmate. Now spoiler alert how about some crossover cameos in this game of boroughs? As Finn Jones, the kid with the glowing punch literally lends a hand. And if you think the real Iron Fist spoiler alert is the fact that he is in it...don't! As the barefoot billionaire steps it up here like his own underrated season. Not spoiling anything and not the Defenders weak link for anyone on the offence. Rand is his own enterprise...and it's a booming one like the one from his palm. Forming a team-up bond straight out the Power Man and Iron Fist crossover comics. And late, great 'House Of Cards' street-chef Reg E. Cathey (Rest Peacefully) is cooking up more than searing sermons as a pastor with a past. The 'Fantastic Four' father figure who had a baritone to match Freeman is more than his iconic voice here in one of his last and lasting roles. May we remember him always. Cage is going to need all the brothers in arms he can get going up against Bushmaster (sorry...we couldn't resist saying it again), 'Sons Of Anarchy' rider Theo Rossi's shady Shades character, who is seeing more light and insight this season and the real villain who silenced Cottonmouth, Alfre Woodard. Alfre who alter-ego appeared in the M.C.U. as the mother of a lost son that set off the accords of the 'Civil War' and has also recently played Taraji P. Henson's Cookie's mother in 'Empire', is building one of her own here in the Harlem club circuits. But she got her own estranged daughter issues here too. Yet in Marvel's ever expanding family franchise that means most actors get to play in this sandbox twice (see; Brolin, Josh), some of the best guest stars here that are too good to spoil have their spotlight on the stage. As from hip-hop legends (one whose already provided a theme and cut scene for 'Iron Man'), to underground soul, this show that's all about music like the heart of Harlem itself plays perfectly from the underscoring soundtrack to all the background noise. What more to beat the street under Cage's concrete pounding feet? Season 1 stood proudly with the Black Lives Matter movement and defiantly against racial profiling and police brutality. Whereas the stronger skin of the second series is a beautiful exploration of Harlem and Jamaican culture. 'Luke Cage' has grown and evolved. He may not wear yellow and chains, but the man who makes a stand and keeps marching under a hoodie finds his own way to the promised land like justice served, whether street or beat. Now if that aint power man I don't know what is! So how about that coffee? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Defenders', 'Jessica Jones (Season 1)', 'Black Lightning'.
No comments:
Post a Comment