Three out of Four Ain't Bad? (Re: Iron Fist)

**This is a non-spoiler review, although some elements may give details**

Marvel/Netflix's latest series 'Iron Fist' has officially launched on the streaming service as of March 17th. To be quite blunt and upfront, it's a dud. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing and from a probability standpoint likely.

Iron Fist tells the story of Danny Rand, a rich boy who supposedly died in a shady-circumstanced plane crash with his parents 15yrs previous to the beginning of the story. During this time we know he is trained by a mysterious Kung-Fu master in a seemingly magical place known as K'un-L'un. Our story starts with Danny Rand's return to his home city and running around going "But it's me!". The biggest issues Iron Fist sees is the main character. He lacks the charisma we've seen in previous MarvelFlix heroes. Daredevil had the tortured but cool factor, Jessica Jones had the smart ass, sexy, factor, and Luke Cage gave us the good guy with a punch of steel (also bad ass and charismatic). Danny Rand is awkward, broken, and the fight scenes are sloppy.

This being said, I know the MarvelFlix shows aren't all perfect. Jones bothered me in that I felt she was physically too weak (and they almost played the story as if Luke Cage didn't show up she wouldn't have survived). Cage in that same sense caused a HUGE stir in Harlem but to no attention of his friend Jones? But, those are MINOR complaints, not even complaints, just quips. But the faults in Iron Fist are a little too much.

This was to be expected though. Marvel has been continuously pumping out highly-acclaimed hits since Iron Man debuted in 2008. This is ok! We needed this. Because let's be real, we can't have the big releases be duds.

Without too much spoiler (you should watch it regardless) my big annoyances come from execution. The main bad guy is very cliche, the lines delivered are weak and obvious. He's like a 90's corporate villain. The most redeeming characters (much like in Daredevil) come from the accomplices. Being somewhat of a Kung-Fu film fan, the fight scenes are sloppy, rhythmic, and predictable. There's a really great video I'll put below where showing Jackie Chan fights why US fight scenes get filming wrong. Iron Fist suffers from all of these.

It does have it's redeeming qualities. It's nice to see a different type of personality enter the upcoming 'The Defenders' that is the street-team of Daredevil/Jones/Cage/Fist. I think in the grand scheme of this little world he's a necessary balance. This is a nice addition, it's a underwhelming, but not unwatchable, series to hold us over for more super hero antics in film. Definitely don't sleep on it, but don't expect Daredevil again.