If you have Netflix, I doubt you have missed Jessica Jones. In fact if you don't have Netflix I doubt you have not at least heard about Jessica Jones from someone. After the runaway success of Netflix's Daredevil (not the underwhelming Ben Affleck film), it was an easy sell for them to keep going with the Marvel cannon of work.
Daredevil and Jessica Jones have both been commissioned for a second series, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and the Defenders are all set to appear on Netflix in the next year or two, the Marvel TV train is full steam ahead, and keeping pace with the full cinematic universe.
Many have said they prefer Daredevil to Jessica Jones but they still both rate highly. I might agree with that, but actually there was something about Jessica Jones I think I preferred.
Although the production style is similar, there is a much more film noir film to Jessica Jones, this comes from the idea that she is a private detective, but it
does it very well. It brings a contemporary take on the genre and while not always following the traits of a noir piece in terms of lighting and pacing, it does use the music to perfect effect and has some very beautiful throw backs to the film genre.
I have to admit I was not familiar with Jessica Jones or Alias the comic book as I was with some of the others that we have seen on screen over the last few years. I think it there are similarities and difference between both which has been written about by others if you are interested.
The cast of Jessica Jones is brilliant, everyone feels like they are there for a reason and not just propping up the main character, is some places you could take Jessica out of the story and it will still be a compelling watch, which to me is testament to everyone involved. The writers and cast have created such deep characters you care about them and want to see where it will lead. They all add to the rich texture of the show and I hope we get to see more of their stories as we get into season 2.
With the Marvel TV world at the moment they are writing self contained series that could have no sequel as that was (as far as I know) the idea. They were there to build the worlds to get to a final series (The Defenders) but actually, the love of superheroes (especially Marvel) series is not going away any time soon, so they are going to keep producing products that appeal to a range of audiences, just like the comics. Jessica Jones is not for kids, it is dark, sexual and in places brutal but I never felt like it was violent for the sake of violence, rude just because they could swear. They have created a character you can see has troubles, issues and character flaws the traditional super hero may not.
The villain in this series is Kilgrave, a strong part of the Jessica Jones comics who actually in the comics holds less over Jessica to start with but becomes more prominent as the adventures continue. Not wanting to spoil too much, I will say that David Tennant plays bad so well, and that you do start to feel even for him. Again a sign of great writing and not just adding in a bad guy to beat up and be done with. (The same can be said for Wilson Fisk in Daredevil as Vincent D'Onofrio plays him perfectly and at times leaving you empathising with the character you should be against).
This is a great TV series and if you have Netflix one you need to add to your watch list as soon as you can. If you have also not seen Daredevil, chain them together and watch them one after the other. Netflix are producing fantastic original TV series and films at the moment and these Marvel tie-ins are great examples of how to do a series well. If you are not a fan of the super hero thing, then Jessica Jones is also for you. It is less super hero and more classic hero from a troubled but brilliant women.
No comments:
Post a Comment