The review embargo for Moon Knight finally lifted a little earlier today, giving us a better idea of what to expect from Marvel Studios' latest TV series. The first episode launches on Disney+ tomorrow, though critics were treated to the first four instalments (an unprecedented number) prior to launch.
The Hollywood Reporter wasn't too keen on the series, noting that conceptually "the first season of Moon Knight feels intended less as a TV show and more as an explanation for why viewers would want to watch the character eventually hobnob with Doctor Strange or Blade or whomever. So far, it’s an argument for Oscar Isaac, and not Moon Knight, to join the Avengers." Variety was a little more impressed, praising the standalone nature of Moon Knight and saying it offers a "genuinely compelling portrait of dissociation, anchored by two terrific performances."
Our superhero hating pals at The Playlist go with a C+/B- score, concluding that the series "is initially thought-provoking, but hardly the game changer that many devout fanboys will likely declare it."
That was to be expected, but Empire awards Moon Knight 4* and wraps up with, "Fresh, funny and occasionally batshit, Moon Knight is an MCU departure in both topic and tone, spicing the superhero formula with a cocktail of comedy-horror and a twist of old- school adventure." Total Film gives the same score and exclaims, "Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke bring their star power to the MCU in Moon Knight for Marvel's best premier episode yet." The Telegraph goes one step further with a 5* glowing verdict that ends by proclaiming, "Moon Knight is both simple, and yet complicated, entertainment. It works on many levels and it’s right up there with Wandavision as Marvel’s most Marvellous show."
TV Guide calls the show a "messy Marvel misfire," but TV Line counters that by saying "Disney+'s most original Marvel series is also the most visually exciting one yet." Finally, we have io9's promise that "Moon Knight gives us hope for a sweeping action-adventure filled with heroics, romance, and some dark twists amidst the mind-effing turns."
In our review, we concluded by saying, "Oscar Isaac puts Moon Knight on the map in Marvel Studios' most daring TV show yet, ushering in an unmissable new era of storytelling in a series that, if it sticks the landing, could go down as a classic." Mark Cassidy also weighed in at FearHQ.com, but wasn't quite so impressed. "Flashes of brilliance offer a glimpse of the more introspective, imaginative show we were promised, and the finale has the opportunity to deliver," he writes. "As it stands, though, Marvel Studios' latest Disney+ outing is also its most disappointing."
So, for the most part, it sounds like Marvel Studios has delivered another fan-pleasing hit with Moon Knight. Hawkeye received positive reviews last year, but Eternals was their first "Rotten" movie, so it's good to know that was a blip on the radar (and we maintain it didn't deserve such poor ratings).
Will you be tuning into Moon Knight tomorrow?