"Luke Cage" returns to Netflix for Season 2 (June 22), where all 13 episodes will be locked and loaded for superheroic gorging.
The series' star, Mike Colter has earned praise for his Marvel icon portrayal in "Jessica Jones", "The Defenders" or his initial, self-titled outing. Mind you, this isn't the character most of us grew up with (if I had my way, Colter's Cage would be constant Power Man yellow shirt and shiny belt); nonetheless, as far as Marvel's modernized (i.e., less flashy) Cage goes, Colter has nailed it.
Much of the success stems from Colter's cool, calculating demeanor. Harlem's humble hero isn't a brute, even though he springs from tough turf. He's a thinking man who'll pound an opponent into the ground only if the desperate moment requires it. Then again, if his temper should ever get the best of him, Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple is usually nearby to snuff the indignant flame.
Per Neflix, Season 2's big villain is John Bushmaster (Mustafa "the Cavern" Shakir), aka the Power Master. Like Cage, Bushmaster is bulletproof, but Caribbean born and a New York mobster. In comic lore, there have been several Bushmasters, who've combated both Cage and Iron Fist; so, even though mythical liberties have been taken for Season 2, the concept will still graze its Marvel context.
This live-action Bushmaster sounds formidable, but is he up to the task? These Netflix shows do sway toward surprising misleads. Season 1 sure as hell taught us that. (I suppose if Bushmaster fizzles, we'll still have Alfre Woodard's Mariah Dillard prowling the criminal corridors.)
Colter claims that Season 2 emits a more brooding tone than the initial, which concentrated on mob interplay, but considering Bushmaster's background, why would the second stretch be much different, even if spiked by darker depths? On the other hand, the trailer does convey a distinct vengeance element, after Cage's mettle is tested in a most mortifying way.
No matter how things develop, this new engagement should spark interest among fans, ensuring that "Luke Cage: Season 2" becomes another powerful pillar in Netflix's expanding, Marvel foundation.
Looks like Bushmaster is a lingering adversary and an unsettling one at that. A top-notch villain always brings out the best in a hero, and Season 2 appears to be a good case in point.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've finished it, I must say that not all aspects of Season 2 pleased me (e.g., some of the chatty padding irked me, though that sort of thing generally does). I did like Cage's pursuit to redeem/enforce his image as a man for good, a man for the people, which was the thrust of the story line.
ReplyDeleteI read/heard a few folks compare Season 2 to the way CW's "Supergirl" has gone. Maybe it was just my mindset at the time of viewing Cage's sequel season, but it didn't rub me in quite that abrasive way, but then "Supergirl" has become far beyond abrasive in its tonality. (Nothing is as obnoxious as it.) I'd have to re-watch Cage's second season to reassess my stance, perhaps.
Nonetheless, I can appreciate people's concerns for superhero shows/movies leaning too far in the way of one political view or the other. Shows/movies of decades past never had to go that route. They managed to get their point across in a universal way, not through polarization.(Movie serials sometimes did take a staunch stand on matters, such as during WWII, but then I'd imagine most viewers would have held the same patriotic perspective against our conquest-craving adversaries.)
Oh...did want to mention that Bushmaster's continued presence was a nice change for a Netflix show. I'm not keen on that switcheroo-villain stuff.
Was surprised by Reg E. Cathey's passing (acknowledged at the story's completion). Didn't realize he had passed away. Such a shame...such a fine actor.