By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
It is no secret that I am a huge Daredevil fan, especially regarding Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio. But ever since her appearance in Hawkeye, I have been eager to see more of Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez! Thankfully, with Echo, I get that chance! But does it deliver on the promise shown in Hawkeye?
The first episode, out of the five, was designed to hook in as many people as possible, as it featured a lot of big hitters and great moments! From the fight choreography to the pacing, it was fast, frantic and packs one helluva punch! Yet the tone and storytelling shifts gear in the second episode, and where some might drop off, I enjoyed getting to the heart of the story and the characters. Despite only being five episodes long, this series takes time to build each element, so while it may be short, it’s story-rich and satisfyingly rewarding. I also really enjoyed the exploration of the Choctaws and Native American culture – including one scene in particular that acted as great social commentary and satire. When you strip back the superhero and MCU elements, at its core, this is a story about reconnecting with family and heritage, as well as a journey of self-exploration and understanding.
I mentioned previously that Episode One had some great fight choreography, and to its credit, the action sequences throughout are well executed. While some of the visual effects are more suited to the Disney+ model, they are not distracting and I feel the show, overall, looks great for what it is. I think showrunner Marion Dayre can be proud of her series!
As for the cast, Alaqua Cox (Maya Lopez/Echo) is sublime and worthy of leading this series. From crushing the action scenes to delivering emotive performances during the drama elements, Cox has already established herself as a jewel in the MCU crown. The supporting cast is just as valuable and impressive as the lead star, with Chaske Spencer (Henry), Tantoo Cardinal (Chula) and Devery Jacobs (Bonnie) all outstanding in their roles. Cody Lightning (Biscuits) will be a fan favourite, as he ticks all the boxes you want for that type of supporting comedic character. And just with everything he does, Graham Greene (Skully) is just the cherry on top, as he just exudes humour and warmth. Then, of course, there is Vincent D’Onofrio (Wilson Fisk/Kingpin). At this point, there is little more to be said about his role and performance, you know what to expect and you get it, maybe even a little more – he’s a powerhouse and must be utilised more in the wider MCU, even if that is limited to the Disney+ shows!
Overall, Echo is one of the better MCU Disney+ shows, and in a similar vein to Ms Marvel, it is not afraid to shine a light on issues and people, that are not represented in the mainstream enough. As fun as the superhero elements were, this is ultimately a show about family and the celebration of a culture long ignored. At five episodes long, there is no reason you cannot give this show your attention, and I feel by the end of it, you will have enjoyed the experience.
Echo is available to stream on Disney+ now.
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