SummaryTandy Bowen (Olivia Holt), who grew up privileged until an accident changed her life, crosses paths with the working-class Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph). They soon discover their superpowers are linked together as their feelings grow for each other in this coming-of-age drama based on the comic book series.
SummaryTandy Bowen (Olivia Holt), who grew up privileged until an accident changed her life, crosses paths with the working-class Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph). They soon discover their superpowers are linked together as their feelings grow for each other in this coming-of-age drama based on the comic book series.
Its great strengths are its restraint and simplicity. The show unfolds slowly and delicately, with greater initial focus on its enchanting young leads than their newfound superpowers
Marvel's Cloak & Dagger is an obscure but surprisingly well made show. I think it does well what it set to do. And there are also a couple of unique elements to this show that set it apart from other shows. I was sad to hear they had canceled it. It had a lot of potential and it was unique.
I think this is better than almost all the series of superheroes Netflix Marvel. The main characters are interesting. I was also pleased with episode 8 and episode 10, they are the best this season. Waiting for season 2!
Like most other Marvel shows these connections are likely to be only surface-level for the foreseeable future, but it still speaks to the tricky balancing act all these shows have to achieve: exist in their own universe, yet walk their own path. Cloak and Dagger hasn’t escaped the problems that plague its brethren, but it has introduced some fresh components that make the latter feel like a real possibility.
Some of the larger narrative elements of season 1’s big mystery feel familiar (with a parent-killing Big Evil Company at the center of it all). But Cloak & Dagger finds a new groove when Tyrone and Tandy start talking. ... So there’s real potential here. Joseph and Holt have a nice rhythm, when the show lets them hang out.
While the show’s first hour doesn’t inspire much confidence in the series, save for a poignant scene between Tyrone and his mother (Gloria Reuben), the second episode gives the characters more depth and allows for a little more light to sneak into the generally dark (tonally and visually) proceedings.
Their journey should be thrilling, fascinating. It’s a chore. The young leads do the best with what the scripts give them, even as they are forced to run over the same story beats.
The series never feels fully comfortable being either teen-oriented or more adult. It never really seems comfortable anywhere, really, as it skims through its scenes without investigating its surroundings, including the feelings or motivations of its characters.
I am surprised this is hidden away on Freeform, this is better than pretty much all the Netflix marvel superhero series outside of Daredevil. The writers have created a really rich background and history for the characters. Cloak & Dagger is so much more engaging than most of the shows in this genre. Was not planning on watching it and I am really glad I did. Excited for Season 2!
There are good elements to be had in Cloak and Dagger, but this Marvel TV show can get quite boring and morose.
The good stuff first: The main characters are likable and interesting. There is strong characterization withe the protagonists. Olivia Holt does a good job, but Aubrey Joseph is the MVP as Cloak. He does a great job of nailing emotion. Credit should also be given to Noelle Renee Bercy as Cloak's love interest and Emma Lahana a a good cop surrounded by corruption.
The setting of New Orleans pays off. The show is infused with the area's culture and geography. There is also a smattering of interesting sci-fi and supernatural elements throughout. The use of Cloak and Dagger's powers work and well and their abilities to see hopes and fears offer some interesting visuals.
Now the bad: The show moves way too slowly. The characters spend too much time planning to do stuff, and adding too many hints are made for things to come.
The show takes itself way too seriously. The gritty Netflix Marvel shows have more levity. The show also tackles way too many social issues in its debut season. It seems that every second there is someone waiting to punch the characters in the face metaphorically or physically. The majority of villains are paper thin stereotypes. J.D. Evermore does a decent job as a crooked cop, but even he is given a limited amount of quality scenes. It doesn't help any that some of the villains' plans to cover their tracks seem kind of sloppy.
I'm actually probably going to see the next season. I liked the characters and the interesting parts, and I'm hoping things are turned around next season. But, I will never re-watch this one.
Good show, but there's an overuse of shop-worn musical montages and a horribly sentimental soundtrack. I skipped minutes and still got the picture (clearly not much happens during these sequences). Are the showrunners telling us a story, or trying to impress us with their playlists? If you try and have it both ways it doesn't usually work. There are exceptions, but this series isn't one of them.
Without a doubt the chemistry between the two leading actors is great. The story itself is also quite good albeit a little slow but issues dealing with everything from class, race, relationships and family seem to be quite well handled.
The only failing that turned me off is the camera work. Hence the low score. At least 95% of all the episodes are filmed using dynamic shots. The straw that broke this camels back was in the ending of the last episode (ep. 07) when it felt like the camera was being held by a 5 year old, with 8 broken fingers and under very heavy medication. Scenes where nothing was happening except 2 people sitting quietly talking in a church also had the same camera effect which added absolutely nothing to the scene itself. The series is good but only if you can stand the horrific camerawork. Sadly i couldn't. It looked to be quite a good show too.