*NSFW-mild language
The forth installment of Netflix Original Marvel comic adaptation series, Iron Fist, was not my favorite, but I wouldn’t call it disappointing by any means. I may have some biased as a smartass, virtual butt-kicking female, but it doesn’t get much better than Jessica Jones for me. But of all the Marvel series on Netflix; Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, I find Iron Fist to be the least relatable hero.
Danny Rand (Finn Jones) was 10 when a flight he was on with his parents crashed in some remote mountains, he became the sole survivor. Over a decade later, Danny returns to New York City to take his rightful place leading his father’s multi-billion dollar corporation, Rand Industries. But Danny’s plan doesn’t seem well thought out as he attempts to overtake a corporation by fighting his way through security staff until the current owners agree to meet him. He then begins trying to prove his identity, with no credible evidence. During this time, he learns of some nefarious dealings within Rand Industries and then the nemesis-ing begins.
As time goes on, we learn Danny has received a special gift from those who rescued him from his plane crash, the Iron Fist gives him supernatural punching abilities *side note: I decided against using *super fisting abilities, that would be a totally different show*. He takes on fighting tournaments against gifted martial artists in exchange for the lives of allies. We also learn, eventually, that Rand Industries is plagued by the same evil organization as some of the other Marvel hero Netflix series, The Hand.
The Hand has infiltrated Rand, and Danny, as the Iron Fist, is pretty conveniently the sworn enemy of the Hand, so he feels obligated to free his father’s company from their control. But there’s an issue; the Iron Fist is meant to protect the land that raised him, and Danny left that land to retake his father’s company.
Danny is clearly torn (*emo alert*) between his duty as the Iron Fist and his duty as a son, but as I said earlier, I see his struggle as the least relatable of the 4 series. Daredevil began by fighting crime, Jessica Jones is determined to try and prevent anyone else from falling victim to her psycho/psychic tormentor, and Luke Cage was pushing back against corruption in his community and the violent murder of his friends. Danny Rand doesn’t even know the Hand is involved in his father’s corporation before he leaves the land he’s sworn to protect.
There are highlights of Iron Fist: the wonderfully choreographed fight scenes (allowing for the occasional gratuitous front flip), the gorgeous Asian decor all over the place, asskicking sidekick/love-interest to Danny, Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), and the return from other Marvel series of Carrie-Anne Moss as lawyer Jeri Hogarth and Rosario Dawson as super-nurse Claire Temple.
TL;DR: If you saw and enjoyed the other Marvel series, you will likely also enjoy Iron Fist. If you haven’t seen the other series, I wouldn’t recommend starting here.
-Morgan@1063RL