REVIEW: Blink & You Might Miss A Lot In Disney+’s Moon Knight
Marvel Studios’ next Disney+ creation, Moon Knight, is set to premiere on the streaming site tomorrow, March 30. The first Disney+ creation to focus on an entirely new Marvel superhero, Moon Knight follows Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), a shy and awkward gift shop employee with a strange sleeping condition. This condition causes him to blackout awaking, hopefully in his own bed, with no recollection of what happened when he blacked out. However, this condition is more serious than Grant first thought. When Grant discovers he has dissociative identity disorder, and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector, he must now navigate through this jumbled mess while also dealing with Spector’s enemies, who are hell-bent on ending his life.
As previously stated, Moon Knight, directed by Mohamed Diab, is the first Marvel creation to hit Disney+ that doesn’t include a pre-established Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero. Nor does the series, based solely on the first four episodes, mention anything remotely to do with Avengers or Thanos’ blip. It’s an interesting turn for Marvel, that allows for the entire focus to be on Grant/Spector. Many times, with these series, our favorite characters get lost as new characters are introduced and developed. With Moon Knight, the audience has the time, which is truly needed, to be introduced to Grant/Spector and they have the time to learn the nuances to his superhero character without feeling overwhelmed or disappointed.
Moon Knight is darker and includes more gore than it’s Marvel Cinematic Universe predecessors. To me it is a bridge that will help ease fans into films such as Deadpool and some of the other Marvel shows that premiered previously on Netflix, such as Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Those shows/films were directed for an older, more mature audience. Moon Knight, where not as mature, definitely includes many moments of gore and darkness that will help Marvel be able to garner a larger audience.
Oscar Isaac takes on the show’s protagonist or maybe it’s protagonists? Either way, he is up to the task. Grant and Spector are two entirely different characters that would, under anyone else, trip up most actors. But Isaac manages both characters with such ease and gives them each their own personality and identity that is easy for audiences to cheer for.
Ethan Hawke is our show’s villain, Arthur Harrow, and his calm demeanor throughout the series is utterly chilling. May Calamawy rounds out the cast as Layla, Spector’s partner, and companion. She brings such a joy to the screen, specifically in scenes where Isaac is playing Grant.
Moon Knight is not a show to turn on for background noise. It’s overly complex and a tad bit difficult to follow at points, so 100% focus is a must. If you know nothing about this Marvel character, be warned that the first episode alone will leave you confused but wanting more. For those who do know the character, get ready for a wild ride.