Iron Fist

Cultural appropriation: a phrase that is never too far from a press review of Iron Fist. It's also what I'm focusing on here, rather than the questions about this show's pacing and editing (for the record, I think it's great).

Should a white man be playing the Iron Fist? That's the big question on the lips of many a film critic. And the answer, in my humble opinion, is 'Sure, why not?' After all, the character was white in the first place.

Is that 'cultural appropriation'? I guess so. But what's it's not is a problem, and I say that as a person of East Asian descent. There is simply nothing wrong with white people doing kung-fu, just as there's nothing wrong with a white person rapping or, indeed, a Chinese person wearing a baseball cap, while eating a Big Mac and singing Sweet Home Alabama.

Yet critics are making out that Iron Fist is like some kind of throwback to Yellow Peril characters like Fu Manchu, but it's nothing of the sort. There's a simple reason why that was offensive and why Iron Fist isn't.

Iron Fist features a white man playing a white man, whereas Fu Manchu was a Chinese man played by a white man, complete with 'slitty eye' makeup.

In spite of this obvious truth, a lot of people suggest that an Asian person would have been better suited to the role. Why? Another chop-socky Chinaman is not what the Asian community needs in terms of media representation. We need more Asian people just being people. An example that springs to mind is Glenn in The Walking Dead. He's great because he's just a regular guy, who also happens to be Asian.

But the critics continue to pile on the criticism when it comes to Iron Fist. I wonder, though, how many of those same critics heaped praise on Kill Bill, which is far more guilty of borrowing from East Asian culture than Iron Fist.

Call Iron Fist what you like. Say it's badly written or boring. That's fine. I disagree, but each to their own. Just stop getting offended about something that's not offensive - and if you aren't Asian, perhaps stop and think about what Asians actually care about.

Overall iron fist wasn't too bad. I think I was a little more forgiving of it flaws than I normally would have been if I had expected it a masterpiece but I had already heard people say the worst thing about it so my expectations were in check.

I was apprehensive with all the negative reviews but I thoroughly enjoyed every episode. I've really enjoyed Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil, and Iron Fist is just as entertaining. The characters are well developed and far from one dimensional. I personally found Ward Beacham to be the scene stealer (recognized him from Ozark). Each of the Defenders has a series with their own unique feel and storyline and Iron Fist adds to the build up to The Defenders series. Great characters, acting, and fight scenes, with a tense build up through the season. Ignore the hate and watch for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

Iron Fist falls short of previous Netflix Marvel productions.

The writing was sometimes cringe-worthy and while some blame the actors, there's only so much that can be done with a poor script.

The direction was also lacking, with oddly constructed scenes and action. It felt like the actors had little feedback on their performances, which led to the repetitive silliness.

The fight choreography... well, I'm not entirely sure there was any. Unlike Daredevil (for example), where there was a genuine sense of reality in the fight scenes, in Iron Fist it felt like the scenes in Arrow. Unlimited energy, unrealistic combat, no real damage.

That said, it's not actually horrible, and makes for a good weekend binge-watch. Just imagine you're watching a 13-hour Saturday Kung-Fu movie marathon, and set your expectations appropriately.

Iron Fist is obviously not as good as the other Marvel Netflix shows (The Punisher, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, The Defenders), but it's still a pretty good show that's absolutely worth watching! I have to admit that I liked Iron Fist a lot more than some judging by some of these reviews but that's because most of the negative reviews are by people comparing it either to the other shows or the comic books. I don't understand why people get upset become a show or movie isn't exactly like the comic book! Stop being such a nerd and just enjoy it for what it is! Iron Fist starts a little slow but stay with it because it picks up and turns into a pretty good show.