Hey there Toku Faithful. I know this isn't Tokusatsu related but just humor me.
I've heard good and bad things about the new NBC series The Cape. At first I was thinking there was NO way this could be on network television. Especially after NBC pulled the plug on Heroes, which I'm still upset about but that's another story.
Anyways. I decided what the hell? What have I got to lose. So without giving anything away I kinda liked this show. Is it the next big TV hit? No. Is it a revolutionary series like Lost? HELL NO. But does that mean it's bad??? Not even. This may sound funny and hypocritical coming from a guy who reviews Japanese kid shows but I'm going to defend this show and let me tell you why.
For those of you who grew up in the 80's/early 90's like I did, you may like this show. If you were into ANY of those old school series like Manimal, Automan, or The Master you'll find The Cape nostalgic and simplistic. Sadly it's also doomed to follow in those shows footsteps since none of them made it past one season but eventually became cult classics. I hope I'm wrong and maybe this show will garner a somewhat mainstream demographic but I just don't see that happening.
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is partially to blame for this. Don't get me wrong. I love that movie but it set a new standard for superhero movies and everyone is calling this a rip-off.
I think the reason I like The Cape so much is because he's a REAL hero. He's not a mutant or an alien or someone with a belt that dons powerful armor. The Cape is an homage to old time heroes from long ago like The Phantom, Zorro, or The Lone Ranger. All of them were mere humans with no special powers.
In conclusion. Don't over-think The Cape. Just turn off your brain and enjoy a superhero series for what it is. A campy yet suspenseful series.
If you want to watch it legally. Go here.
Well, that's all I've got for this show.
Later.
Watched it last night. It's definitely got potential, and i'd like to hope that it does last at least more than one season, although not TOO long, per se (hate for it to end up crumbling under its own weight).
ReplyDeleteI was definitely enjoyable, and I'll agree with the comparison to Zorro, The Lone Ranger, and The Phantom (Black Strip mask notwithstanding), but right now I can only say let it air a few more weeks and call me in the morning.
~The Monk
Just wrote a positive review of my own, and I didn't even think of the oldskool angle. I enjoyed it. It's nice to see a superhero show that embraces being a superhero show instead of just as show where people just happen to have superpowers.
ReplyDelete