Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant/Moon Knight in “Moon Knight.” Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios
Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant in “Moon Knight. Marvel Studios
Warning: This text accommodates gentle spoilers for “Moon Knight.”
“Moon Knight” is likely one of the first Marvel Cinematic Universe exhibits that doesn’t match the hype round it.
Within the months main as much as “Moon Knight,” the hype was actual. Marvel followers throughout social media craved the character’s debut, celebrating the darker Marvel character’s introduction into the MCU.
Although it really works at factors, “Moon Knight”turns into one thing totally different than what you’d count on it to be. Trailers gave followers the expectation the movie can be about Moon Knight speeding round, beating up unhealthy guys, fixing an ongoing thriller and being the heroic determine we all know from the comics. However the present isn’t essentially about Moon Knight the hero, however fairly the persona behind the masks.
“Moon Knight” stars Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant, a museum worker who learns he has dissociative identification dysfunction, a cognitive situation the place folks have a number of personalities and might’t disassociate one persona from the opposite. A kind of personalities is Marc Spector, a mercenary who's enslaved to Khonshu, the Egyptian god of the moon.
Khonshu, Spector and Grant find yourself teaming as much as cease Arthur Harrow — the previous vessel for Khonshu — from bringing concerning the finish of the world.
“Moon Knight” just isn't a present the place a hero hits the streets to begin preventing crime. It’s not “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” or “Hawkeye.” If something, it’s a deeper dive into the human psyche, like “WandaVision,” with a touch of the supernatural you’d see in a “Physician Unusual” film or “Eternals.” The truth that the present takes place in London provides to the “Eternals” similarities.
Marvel Studios
I had an opportunity to look at the primary 4 episodes of the collection forward of the present’s debut. The primary episode is the very best of the bunch, throwing us into this world of intrigue and confusion. The second and third episodes dive deep into the collection’ mythology, counting on plenty of exposition to assist viewers perceive what’s occurring. The story strikes rapidly, so ensure you’re paying consideration — in any other case, you would possibly misunderstand what’s occurring, as I did after the primary viewing. The present’s fourth episode supplies one thing new and contemporary, which suggests the ultimate two episodes can be thrilling.
I'll say — Oscar Isaac is magnificent in his position as Marc Spector and Steven Grant. Isaac handles each roles excellently and owns this present. Anybody who's unaware of Isaac’s performing capability will see his expertise on full show right here.
Ethan Hawke does properly as Arthur Harrow, too. He’s a menacing villain that has a transparent viewpoint. Harrow’s introduction additionally fixes the “huge unhealthy” downside for Disney+ Marvel exhibits, which have usually waited till the top of the collection to disclose the villain.
Upon reflection, I don’t know how one can really feel about “Moon Knight.” There are components that work very well — on par for the very best of any Marvel present — however there are different components that require a second viewing to totally perceive what’s occurring. However this isn’t the mash and smash superhero present you’d count on. It’s one thing deeper — a journey of a personality that's looking for himself in a completely new world.
Is ‘Moon Knight’ too darkish?
Within the lead-up to “Moon Knight,” there was plenty of commotion concerning the present’s darker components. In an interview with Empire journal, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige mentioned “Moon Knight” can be extra violent and darkish than earlier Marvel Cinematic Universe exhibits.
Oscar Isaac as Steven Grant in “Moon Knight.
Marvel Studios
I'll say the present has a average quantity of violence. There are some battle scenes that gained’t sit properly with squeamish people or those that prefer to keep away from overly violent tv moments. The present is rated TV-14, but it surely actually pushes the boundary. It’s about as violent as Christopher Nolan’s “The Darkish Knight.”
The present tackles heavier topics resembling psychological well being, madness and dissociative identification dysfunction. There are additionally plenty of references to Egyptian gods some whom depend on loss of life for his or her energy, which could be just a little too dour for some viewers.
I don’t assume “Moon Knight” requires a VidAngel or ClearPlay edit. However simply remember you would possibly need to skip over a few of the battle scenes.