The Marvelous Marvel Rewatch (Now Playing: Avengers: Infinity War)

[Doc755]

Well something always has to be at the bottom of any list and for the Netflix/Marvel series (not the MCU as a whole, that’s coming soon), it’s going to be Iron Fist. As I said before, I actually liked it at the beginning. I went in with super low expectations because of the mediocre reviews so that certainly helped. The plot does get more convoluted as the season wears on. Sadly, this is the plot that bogged down Daredevil in its second season and I believe is the focus of Defenders. But the pilot is still an enjoyable hour that sets up its premise.

If you take out all the larger machinations going on, Iron Fist is really about family. Danny Rand, the son of a wealthy businessman returns home after somehow surviving a plane crash that killed his parents to find the children of his father’s business partner running the Rand Corporation. He’s met with resistance from both however they differ in their approach. Joy, is somewhat wistful and curious, while Ward, is openly hostile and dismissive. The acting I think elevates rather poor writing and the characters do deepen as the series goes on.

Unfortunately I think Iron Fist also has the worst lead of a Netflix/Marvel series as well. Finn Jones is not very charismatic and that was needed to give Danny a little more depth. He comes off a lot like a petulant child and that may be intentional given how he grew up, but after 13 episodes, it becomes rather grating. It doesn’t help that the supporting cast all seem to be acting circles around him, particularly the women. Rosario Dawson returns as Claire Temple (the gem of all these series) to continue her arc. Jessica Stroup plays Joy’s torn loyalties ably and Jessica Henwick is also good as the badass, Colleen Wing.

If you were going to skip a Netflix/Marvel series, sadly, this would be it. I’ve read that Jones is better presented in The Defenders but cannot confirm (yet). If you enjoyed the plot of the second half of Daredevil’s second season, you’ll get more out of Iron Fist’s second half of the season. If not, and you’re being a completist, just try to go in with low expectations. Sad, but true. That wraps up my coverage of the Netflix/Marvel series. I have one more MCU series I can comment on before the rewatch ends. Stay tuned!