***This review may contain minor spoilers***
Watch the SPOILER review on YouTube
Without using the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a crutch, “Moon Knight” must rely on its own merits to succeed. And while the “superhero trying to save the world” aspect is fine, it’s the character work that is ultimately the most engaging part of the show.
This show features one of the most straightforward superhero plots of all the Disney+ Marvel shows. We have a clearly defined bad guy, with an evil plot, and a world-ending threat that must be stopped by the hero. Overall, this all works well, even though there’s a lack of urgency until the finale. There’s also a shocking lack of Moon Knight in action for most of the show’s runtime. And while you’re anticipating his arrival, and look forward to him suiting back up, he quickly takes a backseat to the personal character dramas, and that ends up being a great thing.
By making Steven Grant the focus of the show, the audience is given an underdog to root for. With his awkward mannerisms and not-quite-right British accent, he’s brilliantly brought to life by Oscar Issac. (Which is more impressive when Marc Spector shows up, because while he feels like many other characters Issac has played in the past, Steven almost feels like he’s played by a different actor.) The rest of the main cast isn’t particularly large, but May Calamawy’s Layla and F. Murray Abraham’s Khonshu get plenty of time to shine. However, Ethan Hawke’s Authur Harrow is the biggest standout after Issac. There’s a calm and yet still menacing aura about him that persists even when he’s playing a slightly different character.
The show looks good, with exotic locations and some great camera work throughout. The effects are pretty good but are underwhelming on occasion. There’s not a much action, and most of it feels like it could’ve been better. Besides some “blink and you’ll miss them” references, there’s nothing tying into the larger MCU. While there are some great episodes, they just don’t seem to gel together enough to make this a great show.
Overall, even though the plot is established early and then pushed aside for some character drama, this ends up being the best part of the show. And it really clicks once Marc and Steven finally are able to bare their souls to each other. The superhero ending is slightly anticlimactic, (even with a solid action set piece) and the show wraps up in a mildly-confusing way that lessens its impact.
***1/2 out of *****