VIXEN - THE MOVIE

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Vixen - The Movie' on Blogcritics.

I’m sure most people interested in superheroes know of The CW’s excellent DC lineup, which includes Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. But did you know that The CW Seed, the online off-shoot of the network, also has a DC animated series called Vixen? Originally released as two seasons of a handful of short installments ranging from four to seven minutes in length, all of the run has now been combined into Vixen – The Movie, available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.

Vixen - The Movie does sort of feel like a movie. It isn’t super obvious where one episode from the web series ends and another begins, other than if you assume it happens at scene changes. And while the overall run is kind of segmented into three parts – season one, a fifteen-minute interlude, and season two – the story of Mari McCabe (Megalyn Echikunwoke, The 4400, House of Lies) finding her identity and her powers, which involves controlling the spirits of animals, does help it gel together, albeit without a very definitive ending. Still, the whole thing, overall, comes across as more cohesive than I expected.

The weakest point actually is the new stuff, which is inserted into the middle. While it is relevant to Mari embracing the Vixen identity and learning how to control her powers, it also feels weird and out of place, with no virtually no continuity crossover into the two seasons. This is because Mari already seems to have a decent handle on things from instinct in the first thirty minutes, so it’s almost a step backwards to struggle with how to use them later, and we don’t see her continue the job she accepts into the latter section. I would rather the story had just skipped the year that follows to get to the last thirty minutes if they weren’t going to connect it better. Though, is a running time of less than sixty minutes long enough to be considered a movie?

Vixen isn’t as good as the other DC shows, mainly because the world it portrays is even simpler and more two-dimensional than the live-action incarnations. With most superhero series, there’s a certain amount of black and white in how characters view the world, and that’s an accepted part of the genre. But certain occurrences in Vixen – The Movie, such as Mari forgiving Macalester (Sean Patrick Thomas, The District) so easily, or the handling of what a small world Mari is from in Africa, seem cartoonish, rather than real.

But this is a cartoon, and the target audience is more than likely children. For this, it works. It is better than other children’s superhero cartoons I’ve seen, including the two episodes of the short-lived Justice League Unlimited included in this release’s extras. It’s entertaining, Mari’s powers are cool, and there are decent action scenes. The family drama is interesting, and the hero herself is at least lightly layered. I do wish the characters weren’t so still when they aren’t talking or fighting, but I did find Vixen – The Movie enjoyable.

If you’re a fan of the DC shows on The CW, Vixen – The Movie fits into that universe well. Among the characters crossing over into the animated world are Green Arrow (Stephen Amell), The Flash (Grant Gustin), Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), Black Canary (Katie Cassidy), The Atom (Brandon Routh), and Firestorm (Franz Drameh and Victor Garber). These give the universe some cohesion, and make the new film feel a part of the cannon, which it is.

I also like the performers they’ve recruited just for this project, which include Echikunwoke, Neil Flynn (Scrubs, The Middle), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Black Sails), and Anika Noni Rose (The Good Wife, Dreamgirls). So again, overall, pretty good cast.

Sadly, Vixen – The Movie is lacking in bonus features. There are the aforementioned episodes of Justice League Unlimited episodes from more than a decade ago, which feature Gina Torres (Suits, Firefly) as Vixen. I find both of them boring and not great examples of children’s entertainment. Then there’s a very brief documentary about how Vixen fits in the DC landscape, which is interesting, but at only about six minutes, far too short. So the extras are not going to sway a would-be-buyer to make the purchase.

Though, if you’re already a fan of The CW shows, or you have a child who needs a good female superhero role model, or even just a bit of light entertainment, I recommend checking out Vixen – The Movie, available now.

DAMIEN Rises?

Article first published as DAMIEN Review on Seat42F.

A&E has had decent success with its horror movie prequel, Bates Motel, so it’s no surprise that it is doing another show spun-off from a film in the genre, even if it’s taken awhile to do so. This week, DAMIEN premieres on the cable network, a sequel to Richard Donner’s The Omen (1976). Set thirty years later, young Damien has now come of age, just as the end of the world is upon us.

It’s very early in this show so I could be wrong, but I think the central conflict of DAMIEN is flawed. We are introduced to Damien (Bradley James, iZombie, Merlin) as a compassionate war photographer, with none of the baggage of his past or origin. Gone are the creepy things surrounding him from the movie, seemingly having stopped just after the events of the film. He doesn’t know who he is or what his purpose is supposed to be.

Obviously, that must change, so DAMIEN introduces a number of startling, creepy things to begin popping up around Damien, bringing back his memories of the past, and sending characters to tell him who he is. Damien is expected to fulfill his role as the anti-Christ, even if it’s not clear what that means yet to him or to the viewer.

I just don’t understand. Are we supposed to root for Damien to descend into darkness? Or do we want to see him heroically deny his heritage and be a force of good? Would that even be possible?

With Bates Motel, we know the lead character will go bad, but it remains entertaining to watch his growth arc. In DAMIEN, Damien seems completely resistant to his fate and at odds with what he’s supposed to be doing. He’s not showing signs of changing based on events, at least not yet, so if he does go dark, it will be against his will, making his character’s journey meaningless. Unless Damien is supposed to save the world, but again, that doesn’t seem likely.

All of this adds up to nothing captivating, as near as I can tell. If the story is destined to be a tragic one, and not in a natural, progressive way, but because of supernatural forces so powerful they cannot be stopped, why do we want to watch? To see some faceless power destroy a character we’ve been made to care about? Who wants to see that?

It also makes no sense to me the huge gap in Damien’s life. People he loved were harmed or killed early on and now, but nothing in between? Why not? It seems to me either nothing would occur around him until this time, or it would occur constantly throughout his life. Am I right?

(Yes, I realize The Bible has a similar gap in the life of Jesus Christ, but he was the catalyst for much of what happened in that tale, not just the non-participant center of the storm.)

This is unfortunate because the roster behind DAMIEN is a promising one. Glen Mazzara, a former showrunner for The Walking Dead, is the creator leading the charge. The cast includes the terrific Scott Wilson (The Walking Dead), the intriguing Barbara Hershey (Once Upon a Time), and reliable players David Meunier (Justified), Omid Abtahi (Argo), and Megalyn Echikunwoke (The 4400). Those names made me hopeful, even though The Omen is a move I’d never watch all the way through (I find it more disturbing than scary). But despite a decent looking production, it just doesn’t do what it needs to do as a story, lacking cohesion and clear direction.

As such, I sadly cannot recommend DAMIEN, as I likely won’t ever give it another chance.

DAMIEN airs Mondays at 10/9c on A&E.

Love Playing MIND GAMES

Article first published as MIND GAMES Review @Seat42F.

ABC’s MIND GAMES is the network’s newest drama. Like most ABC shows, it isn’t really a procedural, much more focused on the drama between the characters, rather than a case of the week. However, there are some procedural elements to it, as the staff of Edwards and Associates will be working on a number of different projects as the weeks unfold.

Clark Edwards (Steve Zahn, Treme) is a bipolar genius who studies human behavior. Recently fired from his job as a college professor after having an affair with a student named Beth (Katherine Cunningham, The Playboy Club), Clark has been recruited by his brother, Ross (Christian Slater, Breaking In), to apply his skills to the real world, hoping to build a business that will make them both rich. The problem is, Clark is highly unstable, given to flights of exuberance that can turn potential clients off or ruin Clark’s own carefully planned scenarios, exacerbated by his inability to let Beth go. Only Ross’s ex-wife, Claire (Wynn Everett, The Newsroom), can keep Clark calm.

Now, for those wondering if having his former spouse around will drive Ross crazy, the answer is a resounding yes. After all, Ross has just spent two years in jail for fraud, and Claire is the one who turned him in, so to say their breakup is amiable would be a gross misrepresentation. Unfortunately, since Clark needs Claire, Ross is going to have to put up with her.

The dynamic and interactions between Ross and Clark are a highlight of the series. Zahn and Slater have been perfectly cast. Through the “Pilot,” viewers will be kept guessing if Ross is a good guy and if he really cares about Clark, or if he’s using him for financial gain, since we’re shown he’s a known liar and cheat. There are clues that point in both directions, and the simple truth of the matter is, perhaps both mindsets apply, which makes for a complex, interesting sibling relationship.

Claire’s insertion into the middle of this is explosive and very entertaining. Checking out the press website for the show, though, Claire is not listed among the main cast, worrying me that she isn’t long for the series. I think that would be a grave mistake, as even if the love triangle set up is familiar, it’s done in such an effecting way that it really makes the characters. Maybe she’ll be recurring throughout season one and then promoted if the show is renewed?

And renewed, it deserves to be. I’ve only seen a single episode, and I can still say that with certainty. Everything I’ve mentioned above is absolutely fantastic, well written and superbly acted. And there are other elements to the show, too.

For one, there will be individual clients, and since this isn’t a cop or lawyer drama, these stories can be new and different, taking a fresh approach to the scenarios. The “Pilot” opens with Clark and Ross in a meeting with a potential investor (Ron Rifkin, Alias) that is extremely amusing. Then it segues into the firm trying to help a boy whose insurance is denying him much needed care. This is a compelling narrative that will tug at the emotions of the viewers, and through helping him, fans will come to care about the characters.

It seems the ensemble is good, too. The Edwards brothers are joined by Megan (Megalyn Echikunwoke, The 4400), a wannabe actress, Latreel (Cedric Sanders, The Social Network), who has business acumen, and Miles (Gregory Marcel, Infinity Strategists), whose contribution isn’t fully defined in the premiere. The first two have a skillset that will certainly serve the firm’s mission well, and the entire trio have wonderful, character-defining moments that tell us who they are, very different personalities.

MIND GAMES doesn’t just have the makings of a good show, it already is one. It’s sort of like Scandal on a smaller scale with a little less soapiness. It’s intelligent and well produced, and I look forward to watching more.

MIND GAMES premieres this Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Made in Jersey should stay there

Grade: 66%

MADE IN JERSEY is a CBS show with a more youthful appeal. It’s a case of the week legal procedural, whose lead character happens to be a young, hip Jersey girl recently transplanted into NYC, more street smart than everyone around her, rather than the older folks who normally populate the station’s dramas. Will this be enough of a change up to be interesting, even while keeping with the same formula? Will viewers in their twenties join the senior citizen crowd in watching this show?

Probably not. Despite the pretty-Ugly Betty-esque lead, Martina Garetti (Janet Montgomery, Entourage), who has tons more personality than the average CBS character, the basic ingredients are the same. There is a case. It must be solved by the end of the hour. Other characters will think Martina isn’t up to the task, and she will succeed anyway. Happy ending.

Now, there are a couple of extra elements that set MADE IN JERSEY slightly apart. In keeping with Martina’s background, she has a large family whom she enjoys being around. Led by matriarch Darlene (Donna Murphy, Trust Me), the boisterous bunch will probably cause Martina added stress, and give her little side stories, like the first episode’s bit about her niece wanting a tattoo, distracting her from the legal work at hand. But considering none of them are listed in the main cast on the show’s website, they probably won’t figure too heavily into the season.

It’s hard to tell from the first episode what the chemistry will be between the various full-time cast members. The two lawyers Martina interacts with most aren’t on the show’s website either, making me think some recasting was done, and they will be replaced by others who might have a different reaction to Martina’s plucky ways.  Kristoffer Polaha (Ringer, Life Unexpected) and Megalyn Echikunwoke (The 4400, CSI: Miami) will apparently be joining the firm soon, and whether they will be friend or competitor or something in between remains to be seen.

Other people are already established on MADE IN JERSEY. Martina’s boss, Donovan Stark (Kyle MacLachlan, Desperate Housewives, Portlandia), is a whimsical fellow, sort of a toned down version of the Malcolm McDowell role on TNT’s Franklin & Bash. He takes a shine to Martina at once, seeing something of himself in her. It’s not a particularly fresh take on a superior, but played wonderfully by MacLachlan, it’s hard to complain.

Cyndi (Toni Trucks, Music and Lyrics) is Martina’s assistant. This is a step up from many young lawyers on TV, who don’t have their own helper. She is also a friend, so she serves a dual purpose on the show. Viewers need more of her past, though, if we’re going to appreciate her. Martina has only been at the firm a few weeks, and they are already gal pals. How did this happen? Why do they click so well? This is a relationship that should be explored.

Then there’s Riv Brody (Felix Solis, NYC 22). His investigator should be a popular character, but it’s hard to root for him when he seems so inept. Martina talks about how storied Riv’s work is, and yet, in the “Pilot,” she finds all sorts of things that Riv misses. Hearing the audio tone, something her niece discovers, makes sense. The chalk dust on the sleeve, though, among other things, should have been seen by Riv, not Martina. This is done, presumably, because Martina is the lead, and Riv is just a supporting character. But why have him at all if he’s only going to follow Martina around and admire her work? How did he get such a reputation as a top notch detective when a young lawyer does his job so much better than he does?

MADE IN JERSEY can’t exactly be called disappointing because, as a crime procedural on CBS, the bar isn’t set all that high anyway. All it has to do is deliver the same package every week, and an important mass of viewers is happy. But for those who value good television, this looks to be a total dud that isn’t worth your time. Which is a shame, since there are a couple of characters here I could really like.

MADE IN JERSEY premieres September 28^th on CBS.

House of Lies - "Pilot"

     In Showtime's House of Lies "Pilot," Marty Kaan (Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda, Picket Fences) leads his team of consultants to New York City to retain a big client. However, upon arriving he realizes that the bank they work for has asked another consulting firm to pitch as well, and this one happens to be number one, while Marty's is number two. And Marty's ex-wife, Monica (Dawn Olivieri, The Vampire Diaries, Heroes), whom he recently had angry sex with, works for the competition. Marty almost screws things up when he takes a stripper (Megalyn Echikunwoke, Supernatural) to a business dinner with the client, Greg (Greg Germann, Ally McBeal), the stripper has sex with Greg's wife (Anna Camp, True Blood, The Good Wife) in the bathroom, and Marty gives Greg a black eye. But then he comes up with an ingenious pitch, and things work out... for now.

     It's hard to know what to make of House of Lies. Apparently viewers are expected to root for a consulting firm which, by their own admission, cares only about getting as much money as they can from the client. These trends are reinforced by Marty's confessions to the camera, which while done with really cool camera shots, do not make Marty likable. Then again, neither does anything Marty says or does. He's a pathetic, despicable individual who is not at all worthy of any affection. Yet, for some reason, there's an attraction towards him.

     The one thing Marty appears to care about is his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.), who likes to cross dress, and who tries out for the part of Sandy in his school's production of Grease. But even that is cast in doubt when Marty stops fighting for Roscoe due to the fact that Roscoe's rival's mother (Daphne Duplaix, Passions, One Life to Live) is hot. In fact, Marty and said mother slip out of the production to have sex in a vehicle. So there's that.

     Of course, there is someone that cares for Marty. Marty's dad, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman, The Wire) criticizes Marty's parenting, but does stick around and help out with Roscoe. If Jeremiah, who seems like a pretty decent individual, can like Marty, then perhaps we can do. But what has damaged Marty so badly, and what exactly is he seeking to fill his void?

     Marty is the latest in a long line of flawed Showtime characters who audiences flock to when they should be fleeing. The difference here is, unlike the stars of Nurse Jackie and Weeds, Marty is a boy. And like other similar Showtime shows, it does seem fresh, and different from its peers. So while it's hard to see exactly where House of Lies may be going, there is something about it that makes one want to watch.

    The biggest shame in the "Pilot" is there is scant little to do for Marty's team, who are excellent actors, all around. There's Jeannie (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), whom Marty is convinced will eventually sleep with him, and whose secret he is always digging for. Doug (Josh Lawson, Chandon Pictures) is good with numbers, but not with manners. Clyde (Ben Schwartz, Parks and Recreation, The Other Guys) is just plain fun. Each of these three are interesting, and should have a larger role. Perhaps they will, now that Marty and the main story has been introduced. It's hard to imagine Bell, in particular, would have taken the role if it is destined to remain the bit part it is in the "Pilot."

     Watch House of Lies Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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