We live in a world that is oversaturated with superhero shows and movies. While it might be easy to roll your eyes and dismiss “Luke Cage”—Netflix’s third original Marvel series—you really shouldn’t. “Marvel’s Luke Cage” is more than a superhero show; it’s a visual and auditory masterpiece that subtly tackles race, power and the ramifications of greed in Harlem.
Who is Luke Cage?
Luke Cage (Mike Colter) is a former convict living in Harlem. A failed experiment in jail left him with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin.
What is the show about?
Cage works odd jobs and keeps a low profile. He’s encouraged to use his superhuman strength to fight crime in Harlem, and that pits him against nightclub owner Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes (Mahershala Ali), local politician Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) and street criminal “Shades” Alvarez (Theo Rossi). Cage’s actions also spark interest from Harlem police detective Misty Knight (Simone Missick). Knight pursues Cage in an effort to learn more about him.
Do I need to watch “Jessica Jones” or “Daredevil” to understand “Luke Cage”?
Not really, no, but you should watch those shows anyway. Colter as Cage makes his debut in “Jessica Jones,” but the story in “Luke Cage” can stand on its own. There’s little, if any, mention of his time in Hell’s Kitchen, and anything you learn about Cage in “Jessica Jones” is further explained in “Luke Cage.”
How does “Luke Cage” fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Cage is part of The Defenders with Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist. The four heroes will team up in 2017 for Netflix’s “The Defenders,” an eight-episode miniseries. “Iron Fist” is also set to debut in 2017. Throughout all three Netflix series, the New York battle that took place during “The Avengers” is referred to as “The Incident,” and it acts as a catalyst for these heroes to start using their powers. According to the Toronto Sun, filmmaker brothers Joe and Anthony Russo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War”) said they’re considering everyone in the Marvel Universe for the upcoming “Avengers” movies. So there’s a possibility any of The Defenders could make a big-screen cameo.
How long will it take me to binge-watch?
Each episode runs from 45 minutes to an hour. With 13 episodes in the season, it would take you about 11 hours to binge-watch. So if you put your mind to it and cancel all your plans, you could get it done in a day.
Final verdict
Superhero fatigue is real, but Marvel is hitting all the right notes with its Netflix series. The show isn’t just violence and nonstop action. It’s expertly cast and acted. It’s heartbreaking and thrilling. “Luke Cage” devotes its time to explore what it means to be a hero, doing what’s right in the face of hardships and how being a hero affects other people. Don’t think twice about it, “Luke Cage” is worthy of your time.
‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’
2:01 a.m. Sept. 30, Netflix
3.5 out of 4 stars
@saamato | saamato@redeyechicago.com
