Moon Knight

Released back in May, “Moon Knight” arrives as the latest show in an apparently non-stop franchise that’s near dominated popular culture over the past decade and a half. The newest miniseries to join the MCU, it adds yet another story to the saga’s ever-growing array of superhero stories – this time focusing on a character first seen on the page back in the 70s. Barely as well-known on the same level as Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and Captain Marvel. Otherwise solely unseen in the MCU so far.

“Moon Knight” starts expanding as the latest instalment in another trend. For the second time in less than a year, Oscar Isaac stars in a must-see steaming series. Sarah Ward said in her review, “In cinemas in-between, he's also added Dune and The Card Counter to his resume, too, because the compulsively watchable actor pinballs between projects vast and intimate — and between blockbusters and character-driven pieces. His two most recent small-screen projects couldn't demonstrate that chasm better, although Moon Knight has more in common with 2021's Scenes From a Marriage than it might initially seem.” Or, to be accurate, it claims one very specific and important shared trait: it wouldn’t be what it is without Isacc’s amazing performance.

Make that “performances.” The story: in this six-episode miniseries, Isaac plays Steven Grant and Marc Spector. They’re one and the same because of a case of dissociative identity disorder, although this is news to mild-mannered British gift-shop employee Steven. Usually, he wishes that he could guide tours at work, obsesses over studying Egyptian history and, thanks to a sleeping disorder, chains himself to his bed at night. However, in breaks in his days make him to learn, he is also American mercenary Marc Spector – or, to be exact, vice versa. To complicate things more, he’s the on-earth channel for the Egyptian moon good Khonshu, voiced by F. Murray Abraham, as well.

Ward said, “Already struggling with being able to tell the difference between being awake and asleep, Steven's role as the moon god's offsider is a source of stress, unsurprisingly — especially with shadowy cult-like figure Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird) hanging around. Character-wise, the Steven/Marc combo swiftly proves as complex as the MCU has delivered so far in Moon Knight's first four episodes, as deepened even further during a continent-hopping mystery-adventure that has him doing Khonshu's bidding.” That’s where Harrow comes in, complete with unfinished business with the moon god and big plans of his own. Archaeologist Layla El-Faouly, played by May Calamawry, also adds another layer, linking ties to Marc’s past that Steven is mainly unaware of, and lighting an amount of romantic rivalry.

Ward noted, “Even within franchise confines, Isaac is mesmerising playing duelling dual personalities in Moon Knight, turning in the kind of portrayal that the MCU has been lacking. It isn't known as an actor's showcase, which is why even this far in — 27 movies and now six Disney+ series — the sprawling saga's standout performances make a splash bigger than throwing mjölnir into an ocean.” It’s what made Tom Hiddleston a hit in his theater releases, and also in previous streaming show “Loki.” Also on television, the greater texture gave everyone by Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and the scene-stealing perfection of Kathryn Hahn also, ensured that “WandaVision” left a mark also. Isaac surpasses all of them. While Marvel’s ability for casting has long been one of its strengths – even with simply entertaining rather than necessarily great performances resulting – it stretches those talents amazingly in “Moon Knight.” Indeed, it’s as smart a casting move as has been made currently in this pop-culture giant.

Ward said, “The fact that Moon Knight also tasks Isaac with playing someone that film and TV fans aren't already acquainted with is also pivotal. Welcomely, the Marvel formula feels fresher here. The series still spins an origin story, and will undoubtedly tie into the broader narrative to come. It also often falls back on a template between daring to be stranger and weirder. And yet, by branching off with a previously unseen protagonist, this is the first MCU Disney+ series that doesn't feel like homework. That isn't a slight upon WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki and Hawkeye, but recognition that reaching in new directions reaps considerable rewards.” “Moon Knight” doesn’t lack in casting, obviously – there’s a reason that Isaac is rarely seen in costume incognito, Hawke is also fantastic, and they bounce off of each other interestingly – but it hasn’t enlisted its large-name MCU newcomers to simply go through the by-the-numbers motions.

Similarly leaving an impact: having Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Diab direct four episodes, and getting American sci-fi/horror geniuses Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead to direct the other two. Both help ensure that “Moon Knight’s” excitements come from its best asset, especially given that he’s doing a similar “Dir. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”-type story – and the scenes where Steven and Marc fight with each other about who gets to control their shared body (which happens through places like mirrors and puddles, and are shot with not just talent but confidence), are the show’s evident highlights.

Ward noted, “The Indiana Jones nods, and the swings in The Mummy's direction, are clunkier, but the end product is still easily the most intriguing small-screen Marvel effort so far.” Actually, when “Moon Knight” does actually end up clearly connecting into the MCU in its final two episodes – and if it flattens itself down in the process- that’ll feel like a downside.

This is another exciting show and action-packed that you’ll be engaged throughout. See this if you haven’t because this is a really good show. There are talks of including this character in a future film since I don’t think there will be a second season to the show. Check it out if you have a Disney+ because you will enjoy it.

Tomorrow I will be doing my yearly Christmas movie review for “Disney Month 2022.”