Sommerleigh Pollonais – Senior Writer
What do you call it, when everything EXCEPT the main course tastes good?
Season 2 of Altered Carbon was a thrill ride. The sci-fi epic (which is obviously heavily inspired by Blade Runner) has turned out to be one of Netflix’s binge-worthy shows. I really enjoyed the much more linear story-telling of this season, as well as the beautiful and dramatic arc given to the coolest AI since Data in Star Trek, Poe. The action sequences are superb and the visuals are very reminiscent of Blade Runner 2049 (that’s a GOOD thing). All of the new players, as well as returning ones, made for equally likeable heroes and complex villains.
Did I say all? Sadly the fly in my ointment turned out to be the new sleeve for Takeshi Kovacs, Anthony “Falcon” Mackie. Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad) from Season 1 had the dry wit, cunning intelligence, bad-ass presence and, ahem, height, and delivered a performance that made you immediately invested in Tak and his journey and left you clamoring for more. His chemistry with his leading ladies jumped off the screen and his natural ‘swagger’ made you believe everything the story was telling you about The Legendary Last Envoy believable.
Unfortunately, Anthony Mackie’s version came across as a love-sick, obsessed, cruel, and reactive instead of proactive kinda character. He made me groan every time he said or did something. And while I give it up the man for his excellent handling of the fight choreography, he had zero chemistry with his leading lady, (Renee Elise Goldsberry SLAYS as Quellcrist Falconer) and his lack of on-screen presence reminded me of Captain Marvel, as in, he felt like a side character in his own story.
Again, I enjoyed Season 2, a lot! And I can’t wait to see who they bring in next to play the newest sleeve for Takeshi Kovacks. But the harsh truth is, I think Anthony Mackie is better at playing the sidekick to the main hero or in the case of the upcoming Falcon and Winter Soldier, with getting a little help from his friends.
Season 2 Score: 8 out of 10
Sommerleigh of the House Pollonais. First of Her Name. Sushi Lover, Queen of Horror Movies, Comic Books and Binge Watching Netflix. Mother of two beautiful black cats named Vader and Kylo. I think eating Popcorn at the movies should be mandatory, PS4 makes the best games ever and I’ll be talking about movies until the zombie apoclaypse comes.
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