Luke Cage

Luke Cage should have been the knockout blow that followed 1-2 stunners Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Colter is quietly charismatic as the reluctant hero, foiled by confident, believable villains from Ali and Woodard. It is impossible to take your eyes off of Simone Missick’s Misty Knight, and Theo Rossi brings a creepy, unsettling menace to Shades. Harlem is a character here too, lived-in and strutting to an incredible musical backdrop.

For all of these qualities though, Luke Cage fails to impact like it should. Stretched at 13 episodes, the narrative meanders into worn-out tropes without depth or interest. Diamondback’s storyline is particularly over-the-top and out of place.

Finally, the hero is at times over-powered. It is hard to build tension when Cage is casually crushing pistols like an idle Superman. His potency felt false, like there should have been more struggle to his struggle. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high. There is plenty to enjoy here, but I must lament a missed opportunity for greatness.

7.5/10
Definitely not for children.