Marvel's Iron Fist

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 17, 2017
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1318 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 758 out of 1318
  2. Mixed: 192 out of 1318
  3. Negative: 368 out of 1318
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User Reviews

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  1. Dimocracy
    Jul 6, 2023
    6
    The weakest series (except The Defenders), but it's not as bad as they say.
  2. iCampoRamil
    May 15, 2021
    5
    A pesar de no ser muy muy mala, la premisa por ejemplo está bastante bien, peca en muchísimos aspectos
  3. geewah
    Jan 6, 2021
    5
    While the story isn't that great, what really let's this show down, are it's weak action scenes and some ordinary acting.
  4. JACK15q
    May 25, 2020
    6
    Its alright.... The main problem I have with this is that theirs so much filler which makes it long and boring. If it was shorter I would actually like it a lot more.
  5. YorkMan
    Oct 6, 2019
    4
    Iron Fist isn't the piece of crap that the 'Critic's' would have you all believe. It isn't very good, for a multitude of reasons, but it's definitely worth giving a shot. Hopefully the people behind its creation will take on board some of my own personal criticisms, but as none are likely to read this it's more of a cartharsism on my part.

    Iron Fist would have worked much better as a    Iron Fist isn't the piece of crap that the 'Critic's' would have you all believe. It isn't very good, for a multitude of reasons, but it's definitely worth giving a shot. Hopefully the people behind its creation will take on board some of my own personal criticisms, but as none are likely to read this it's more of a cartharsism on my part.

    Iron Fist would have worked much better as a 140 minute origin story movie. Stretching out the available storyline to over 10 hours simply means the pacing is terrible. Actually, let me rephrase that...
    The storyline as written for the show, stretched over 10 hours makes the pacing terrible.
    There is virtually no backstory given to ANY characters.
    We know nothing more about Danny Rand/Iron Fist (beyond some truly pointless flashbacks), we know nothing about the struggles of Joy and Ward Meacham, or their 'back from the dead' father. And the 'revelations' surrounding Colleen Wing, and her actual affiliation (and subsequent change of heart), is just another variation on the 'don't fall in love with the enemy' trope we've seen about a million times.
    The show could have been so much better.... And we've not got to the worst aspects, oh no... We've just scratched the 'characters/storyline' aspects!

    One thing that annoys me, especially with American shows, is that the producers will jettison any sense of depth/realism if they think the average viewer will not understand it. Accents/spoken language, for example.
    Danny Rand is introduced as Iron Fist, having lived in Kun-Lun for 15 years which is another dimension that has a link to 'ours' high up in the mountains of the Himalayas. I can deal with that.
    What is harder to comprehend is why Danny still has his American accent (despite being shown to be fluent in Mandarin)... That makes no sense. Why does Davos (another Kun-Lun student) pop up sounding like he's spent his childhood growing up in one of the posher suburbs of London?? Again, makes no sense. Have characters interact in the language which makes sense to their origins.

    And then we have the fight scenes... I grew up watching proper old school kung fu movies, so I know what would work when it comes to defining the different fighting styles of the characters in the show. Clearly the people making the show didn't. It doesn't help that the cast clearly have no martial skill, but neither did Keanu Reeves, Larry Fishbourne or Hugo Weaving when they made The Matrix, with Yuen Woo Ping as the fight choreographer. That film showed that with proper training, time, and an eye for what 'works' in a kung fu fight scene, you really can take any actor and make them look like they are a proper kung fu fighter.
    Every fight scene in Iron Fist relies on either one of two formats. The good old 'one vs. many', a fight which generally has absolutely no stakes to it as bad guys just walk onto the good guy's fist or foot one at a time.
    Or the ''multiple shot, wide-angle, one on one' fight scene, where there is no sense of strength or power coming from either fighter and it resembles more of a choreographed ballet, where one fighter will get in a punch or kick every 5-10 seconds resulting in a close up shot as they get back up... YAWN!

    The bottom line is.... Having watched the first series, do I want to see a second?
    Well, if the people making the show are going to invest more time/effort into the action, invest more time/effort into character development, invest more time/effort into giving us something more tangible and intense... Then yes, I would.
    If the initial reviews of the second series just point out that it's just offering the same as what I've spent 13 hours on... Then no, I wouldn't.    … Expand
  6. drlowdon
    Feb 1, 2019
    4
    Having been missing, and presumed dead, for 15 years Danny Rand returns to New York to reclaim his family company. When a new threat known as “The Hand” emerges he must use all his training as The Iron Fist to protect those close to him and uncover the truth of what happened to his parents.

    Following on from the excellent Daredevil and Jessica Jones, as well as the decent Luke Cage    Having been missing, and presumed dead, for 15 years Danny Rand returns to New York to reclaim his family company. When a new threat known as “The Hand” emerges he must use all his training as The Iron Fist to protect those close to him and uncover the truth of what happened to his parents.

    Following on from the excellent Daredevil and Jessica Jones, as well as the decent Luke Cage series, Iron Fist is very disappointing. The show moves too slowly and could easily have been reduced from 13 episodes to 10, or even 8, episodes without losing anything of significance. The action scenes, which are surprisingly few and far between for a show about someone with legendary martial art skills, are also a disappointment and pale in comparasion to other Netflix Marvel shows.

    A further issue is Finn Jones in the lead role. He’s not a bad actor by any means but he lacks the charisma or screen presence to carry a show in the way that someone like Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones) does, particualry as the bad guys are largely men in masks with no personality of their own.

    Let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come for these Marvel shows...    … Expand
  7. Adelthorne
    Oct 16, 2018
    5
    I saw Iron fist first in the defenders. And he was ok. So I thought why not see the show. And I liked him better in the defenders.
  8. UBD
    Sep 18, 2018
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The only good thing about this season was Davos. Danny and his girlfriend are essentially fighting on behalf of the Triad to control the Lower East Side for some reason.

    It begins with Danny kind of peace keeping and trying to arrange a parlay between different Triad sanctions, who literally murder innocent people in the street. Even after seeing this, Danny still works to keep the different Triad factions in power. Davos comes along, cripples the Triad and tries to remove their hold on the city. And somehow Davos is the bad guy?

    I could not root for Danny or Colleen. I did not understand their motivation and both of them seem like the least bright people in every room. The showrunners were smart to give the actor who plays Davos a major storyline this season, he is the only actor which commands your attention. I find myself zoning out when Danny and Colleen are on screen. In fact, I had to check and remind myself of their names before writing this review and I have seen both seasons!    … Expand
  9. supergimpoman
    Sep 11, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The second season of the show throws much of what was shown/told in the first out the window. It's very disappointing if you enjoyed the first. I did, quite a bit. From what I've read here and other places, many did not. It's disappointing that the show chose to go down another path, one that loses core characters or at least exchanges them, in a sense. Don't get me wrong, I love the characters in the show, I believe that each of them has strength and potential. However, I do not feel that it was necessary or a good choice for Colleen Wing to take the Iron Fist. I'm unsure if that's how it went in the comics.. but I doubt that it did.

    I will briefly return for season 3, but I'm not sure if I'll be sticking around.    … Expand
  10. Cineflux
    Sep 11, 2018
    6
    It's better than the first season (and defender) so there is still hope for Netflix's marvel.
  11. jl747
    Mar 10, 2018
    5
    While this is my least favorite Marvel TV show it is still better than many of the other shows that is out there. I think it did a decent job bringing Iron Fist from the comics to television but unfortunately Iron Fist was never one of my favorite comics. The main thing I think that it has going for it is Danny's powers, but everything else I think is just not as good as the other shows.While this is my least favorite Marvel TV show it is still better than many of the other shows that is out there. I think it did a decent job bringing Iron Fist from the comics to television but unfortunately Iron Fist was never one of my favorite comics. The main thing I think that it has going for it is Danny's powers, but everything else I think is just not as good as the other shows. The action sequences are like watered version of Daredevil, the story (a kid who loses everyone and than gains superpowers) was a watered down version of Jessica Jones. And finally, and perhaps my biggest problem was that I did not like Danny's character it was basically like a grade school boy with superpowers… Expand
  12. MarvelJoe
    Mar 9, 2018
    6
    I understand the story but the action and the story itself was too bland. Iron Fist was a bit of a brat in this show and it needs a better writer. It's okay but it also has a bad taste itself.
  13. Slovenmind
    Feb 18, 2018
    4
    What a rush of a show. The Actor is ok. The show should have focused on him as a youth(like Stranger Things, kids can carry a show) and focused on his Journey home. From kid to teen and mean while his current situation(adult self in each episode finding his way home and dealing with villains) Could have had a better reason to return home, and more struggles and being prevent at everyWhat a rush of a show. The Actor is ok. The show should have focused on him as a youth(like Stranger Things, kids can carry a show) and focused on his Journey home. From kid to teen and mean while his current situation(adult self in each episode finding his way home and dealing with villains) Could have had a better reason to return home, and more struggles and being prevent at every turn...ALSO, this is the one character who should have had a costume/suit. Basically they rushed this and Defenders out there. My biggest issue was how they jump around from one place to another with little effort. My biggest issue was he came back and was rich way too easy... There are moments of the show I liked, like him breaking into his old family home. BUT him having NO living relatives was like complete nonsense. Nothing on record... The worst was his fist glow and weak abilities...and his soooo lame tattoo or scar on his chest... The show was just way toooooo rushed and not though out... like the watched the Arrow soap opera style set up. If this was on Prime time then this would be excusable... I loved Power Man and Iron Fist, well sort of visually, but this was not fun. Should have had a costume and more struggles for first 3 episodes getting home with flash backs.… Expand
  14. gtwist
    Nov 26, 2017
    5
    Iron Fist was no where near as bad as everyone is putting it out to be, but it definitely the worst season of the Marvel TV shows on Netflix so far. It was still entertaining in a lot of ways, and Finn Jones and Jessica Henwick are excellent. The first couple episodes where Iron Fist was trying to prove that he was the Iron Fist were horrible, however. That being said, not as bad asIron Fist was no where near as bad as everyone is putting it out to be, but it definitely the worst season of the Marvel TV shows on Netflix so far. It was still entertaining in a lot of ways, and Finn Jones and Jessica Henwick are excellent. The first couple episodes where Iron Fist was trying to prove that he was the Iron Fist were horrible, however. That being said, not as bad as everyone is saying.… Expand
  15. GodoteX
    Nov 18, 2017
    6
    Great show. I dont know why that many of bad reviews. Acting is great, story is good. The biggest weakness of this series are, unfortunately, fight scene. Editing a.k.a. disease Parkinson (like **** residents movie) when in this type of movie where important is martial arts they should take examples of stables long shots like Daredevil or John Wick.
  16. Aloxb3
    Oct 27, 2017
    5
    Da sequência "Defenders" é definitivamente o pior! A série tem um ritmo meio maluco, a personagem "Claire Temple" não faz "jus" nem sentido na história, o enredo é interessante e o episódio final é bem satisfatório mas, com certeza só vale a pena assistir se vc já conhece a série "Defenders" e quer saber um pouco mais sobre os personagens
  17. poewilson
    Oct 5, 2017
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is bad, simple and plain. Scott Buck needs to take the blame. Iron Fist was a miscalculation on every level, the writing was rushed, the actors never really felt connected to their characters. Characters from a far off distant land are speaking multiple accents from different countries, yet have no contact with the outside world for 15 years at a time. Characters are trying to have each other killed one moment and then oh your my best-friend in the next. No one seems to have a moral compass. The most endearing characters are a drunk who appears for 5 minutes in one episode and Madame Gao. The character of Wing is decent but the love story is so tact on and cliché I heard 1980's action writers rolling over in their graves. Given how trashtastic the entire effort was any negative stuff being thrown toward Finn Jones should be left until the Defenders when the story and development are in another's hands and also dear Hollywood. 90% of China speaks Mandarin not with a Cantonese accent. Cantonese accents are extremely noticeable. Imagine a guy from the Bayou in Louisiana acting like he is from Brooklyn but speaking the entire time in a thick native Louisiana accent and that is what it is like hearing Mandarin in this accent.… Expand
  18. Spydar71
    Sep 15, 2017
    6
    I, for the most part, liked the show. I did not like the main actors portrayal. There is just something weak in his performance as the young Rand. He is nice on the eyes and all, but I just don't get the feel that he is a kung fu master. He seems too young and I dunno, it just didn't work for me. The story was good, and I loved all the supporting actors, I just didn't like Finn Jones.I, for the most part, liked the show. I did not like the main actors portrayal. There is just something weak in his performance as the young Rand. He is nice on the eyes and all, but I just don't get the feel that he is a kung fu master. He seems too young and I dunno, it just didn't work for me. The story was good, and I loved all the supporting actors, I just didn't like Finn Jones. And it has nothing to do with any of the "white savior" crap, which is how the source material goes. He just didn't really exude a master of martial arts to me. I'd rather see him used as a supporting role for the other characters and see Iron Fist replaced by his Colleen and Misty and their "Daughters of the Dragon" adventures. I will watch season 2, I liked all other aspects of the show, Just not Finn. Sorry guy, either you flopped on your acting or the writes missed the mark on your character. I just think they need to grow you up a bit in the show. Otherwise Iron Fist comes across like a whiney rich kid.… Expand
  19. VirgonoShaka
    Aug 19, 2017
    5
    Wow Netflix, you dropped the ball on this one. After a string of probably some of the most impressive superheroes shows ever, Iron Fist falls into a more "Meh" situation. With some awesome scenes here and there, some cools effects and some cool characters (GAO!!!) in general by the standard that we have now on this shows this one really doesn't measure up. With a mostly boring protagonistWow Netflix, you dropped the ball on this one. After a string of probably some of the most impressive superheroes shows ever, Iron Fist falls into a more "Meh" situation. With some awesome scenes here and there, some cools effects and some cool characters (GAO!!!) in general by the standard that we have now on this shows this one really doesn't measure up. With a mostly boring protagonist that really doesn't hold a candle to what I expect of the immortal weapon., and some of the most bleh fight scenes in the Netflix series when arguably this one should have been the series to really go all out. Iron fist ends up a mediocre effort. Hopefully this can be corrected in season two and doesn't mean poor tidings for the Defenders. Final verdict: 5.2… Expand
  20. RyanZhao
    Aug 19, 2017
    5
    Its not so bad as the score represents. I mean most of the scenes are OKAY for me( but just ok literally) .

    But I should be honest that it actually has a lot of flaws and terrible scenes. The plot that most bothers me is (i want to say) all of the lines when it comes to Chinese elements. I REALLY MEANS ALL OF THEM. Since I am a Chinese guy, I can have the right to say that most of the    Its not so bad as the score represents. I mean most of the scenes are OKAY for me( but just ok literally) .

    But I should be honest that it actually has a lot of flaws and terrible scenes. The plot that most bothers me is (i want to say) all of the lines when it comes to Chinese elements. I REALLY MEANS ALL OF THEM. Since I am a Chinese guy, I can have the right to say that most of the scenes setting in China are **** and the actors' mandarin with a strong American accent makes me start to suspect myself.

    Well, the action scenes are pretty lame as well, which is kind of ironic because it is a show full of martial arts and kung fu.    … Expand
  21. MrBurntSienna
    Jul 26, 2017
    6
    While not nearly as good as amazing as the other netlix series Marvel has produced, Iron Fist offers something different, which is good. The cast is strong, while Finn Jones is a great actor and does his best, he cannot save the poor writing and characterization of Danny Rand, whom the writers just did not know how to create. Colleen Wing is the show stealer here, she just oozes withWhile not nearly as good as amazing as the other netlix series Marvel has produced, Iron Fist offers something different, which is good. The cast is strong, while Finn Jones is a great actor and does his best, he cannot save the poor writing and characterization of Danny Rand, whom the writers just did not know how to create. Colleen Wing is the show stealer here, she just oozes with charisma and bad-assery, making her one of the most interesting characters in the show. The Meachums, who start off somewhat weak, eventually improve, to show how interesting the dynamic between the three of them are. The action scenes, while not as good as Daredevil, have their moments, and some are genuinely great. Honestly, it's hard not to smile with glee the first time Danny ignites that fist, because you know something or someone is going to be pummeled.

    The show is a slow burn, and if you do not like slow shows, than you will most likely not enjoy Iron Fist. It's hard to not admit being 5 episodes in and wondering; "Where is the kung-fu ass kicking in this adaptation of Marvel's Martial Artist?" The critics aren't always right, but they aren't wrong either, Iron Fist has its flaws, without a doubt. The writing is noticeably and consistently mediocre, which is not helped by the show's sluggish pace. The biggest problem with Iron Fist isn't it's slow pacing, which it undoubtedly shares with Marvel's 3 other Netflix Outings. No, it's the fact that what's happening isn't nearly as interesting as the other shows; Daredevil had engaging court room drama, Jessica Jones had stories of survival, Luke Cage dealt with the complex situation of African-Americans in Harlem. Iron Fist's non fighting scenes were mostly... court room litigation for the first half, even past that point. You would be hard pressed to say that the show wasn't boring at times, and that the plot felt as if it was going nowhere.

    It would be a lie to say this series was perfect, it definitely has it's drawbacks, some, certain people can't overlook. However, it would also be a crime to sell the series short of it's cool fight scenes, fun characters and world-building elements borrowed from the comics. People will like different things and that's more than ok, that's great. The fact that the controversy surrounding Iron Fist is more talked about than the series itself is unnerving. People accusing the show with every buzz word/phrase possible is as annoying as the people who say representation isn't important. Iron Fist teaches the lesson that people whose first instinct when confronted with adversity, is to fight, are at a fault, and that it's unhealthy. It's interesting how the show's conveyed themes, should be adopted by the people who surround it, and critique it. You can take comfort in knowing that the things that do work very well, such as Jones and Henwick as the leads, will be carried over to this summer's Defenders. Meaning, that the negative aspect of the show will be left in the past, to not hinder the future, of Marvel, or Iron Fist in general.    … Expand
  22. Goo4you
    Jun 1, 2017
    5
    Slow plodding tedious dialogue interspersed within the confines of a creeping to the finish line story arc make Iron Fist a slog of show to watch. Add in the generally basic fight choreography and you have Marvel's 1st t.v dud.

    Of course this show is going to be compared to it predecessors, but try and look at it as a stand alone and nothing really changes. The plot is transparent and    Slow plodding tedious dialogue interspersed within the confines of a creeping to the finish line story arc make Iron Fist a slog of show to watch. Add in the generally basic fight choreography and you have Marvel's 1st t.v dud.

    Of course this show is going to be compared to it predecessors, but try and look at it as a stand alone and nothing really changes. The plot is transparent and generic, the relationship(s) are negatively strained. There is less tension between the characters and more obvious added tension because someone told the writers of this show to add a lot more "TENSION" (it's forced to the point of absurdity).

    The actual "Iron fist" effect might be the most reprehensible and laughable to come from ANY of the comic book IP's. This effect equates to pressing a flashlight into your palm and seeing the light come out the other side (oohhh! I can see my veins and bones!!). I was what 8 years old when I figured out that, why make this, the first actual visual effect in the tv marvel properties be so underwhelming.

    The cast is for the most part doing the best they can with what they have, but there is just so much one can do with a shallow,vapid script; which is almost formulaic. More could have been done with the final standalone show before the defenders come together.
    In truth, I would have rather they went with a standalone Punisher story and have him fill the role, since they have already dedicated air time and resources to the character even if this is a departure from the comics. At least then, they wouldn't have to ham fist another story in because "that's the way it is in the comics.

    If you enjoy Marvel, you'll watch this. If you've watched all the other Netflix Marvel stuff, you'll watch this...but most likely not enjoy it. Here's to The Defenders fixing the bad taste Iron fist left in my mouth.    … Expand
  23. JaxDagger
    May 28, 2017
    4
    Unlike the other Marvel TV shows this was the first I just could not get into at all. I love the character in the comics not my favourite but never disliked seeing him pop-up in crossovers but there is something missing in this show the first episode was good but by the third I was asking myself why i'm even bothering because it became slow generic and just felt forced like "we need theUnlike the other Marvel TV shows this was the first I just could not get into at all. I love the character in the comics not my favourite but never disliked seeing him pop-up in crossovers but there is something missing in this show the first episode was good but by the third I was asking myself why i'm even bothering because it became slow generic and just felt forced like "we need the defenders so we need to make this many solo TV shows first" and this was shoehorned in. If you want a great Marvel show I would say go watch jessica jones or luke cage or the first season of daredevil or better yet the unrelated show Legion which I found to be perfect.… Expand
  24. miastalman
    May 10, 2017
    4
    If you do not care about the begging of the series, start from the middle, like 4th / 5th episode. You won't be disappointed! The show is great. On the other hand you can start from the begging and it will borring af.

    Moreover, characters are not 6/10, except for the heroine, who is like 3/10.
  25. Bgrod
    May 9, 2017
    4
    Yes, I am an unabashed Marvel fanboy, both movies and television. I thought all of the previous Netflix releases, Daredevil 1 and 2, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage were all extraordinary so my expectation for Iron Fist was high. Sadly, the entire 13 episodes went off the rails. While I knew Iron Fist would be the most challenging of the Defender series to imagine, I wasn't prepared for howYes, I am an unabashed Marvel fanboy, both movies and television. I thought all of the previous Netflix releases, Daredevil 1 and 2, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage were all extraordinary so my expectation for Iron Fist was high. Sadly, the entire 13 episodes went off the rails. While I knew Iron Fist would be the most challenging of the Defender series to imagine, I wasn't prepared for how bad Iron Fist could be since Marvel has heretofore exhibited such incredible high quality control standards across both films and television. I generally applaud the casting here but the writing, both the horrible, unnatural dialogue and a mostly incoherent story were the major downsides for Iron Fist. I am willing to overlook one clunker out of 5 (with 4 extraordinary ones). I have high hopes the Defender series with all the super heroes of Hell's Kitchen will not disappoint. So far, all five of the Marvel Netflix series have amazing and distinct music and opening graphics that tie them together.… Expand
  26. Kenmei
    May 4, 2017
    4
    When I stopped watching Jessica Jones halfway through, and having skipped Luke Cage entirely, I wanted to try and get back into the Netflix shows with the Defenders supposed to be coming out this summer. While I had not heard great things bout the show in general, I had hoped the action would carry it along. And it certainly didn't do that for me until the very end. The entire story kindaWhen I stopped watching Jessica Jones halfway through, and having skipped Luke Cage entirely, I wanted to try and get back into the Netflix shows with the Defenders supposed to be coming out this summer. While I had not heard great things bout the show in general, I had hoped the action would carry it along. And it certainly didn't do that for me until the very end. The entire story kinda droned on and never really came together. There were really only two storylines going on but they never really meshed as well as they should have, even when they do towards the end. I was disappointed with Finn Jones as well as he whisper-talked his way through the entire series. And I don't think he was very interesting throughout the series. There was so much that Daredevil hit on that they didn't here. And with the Defenders coming up soon I had hoped that Danny Rand could a good addition with Matt Murdock but I don't know if that is the case now. I have alot of concerns about the Marvel netflix shows going forward after this one and Jessica Jones. Not sure I even want to try and watch Luke Cage now because of it.… Expand
  27. JohnWitten
    May 2, 2017
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It’s no secret that I have a healthy amount of respect for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in both its silver screen and small screen iterations and adaptations. The films do the things that they do right and the grittier, believable, down-to-earth television adaptations do what they do right. I’ve been a fan of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, Power Girl, and Luke Cage- but now the time comes for me to deliver my verdict on the last of New York City’s would-be ‘Defenders.’

    Iron Fist is easily the weakest link in the otherwise spectacular story that has been Daredevil seasons one and two, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage thus far. Iron Fist is one of the stronger heroes ironically and yet the weakest of the stories. It is, at its base, a story of vengeance and betrayal as have been the others and yet it misses the most steps and is inevitably the dumbest of all five to this date in terms of the writing and human quality. Don’t get me wrong, Danny Rand’s story still features some excellent characters like the ever recurring Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) and Jeri Hogarth (Carrie-Anne Moss), enigmatic and villainous Madame Gao (Wai Ching Ho), and newcomer Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick).

    The pacing and story have been up and down in each of the MCU television shows so far, and yet for the most part I’ve found myself enjoying their stories and the massive amount of time, effort, and lore involved in each project. All of them are slowly meshing together in anticipation for The Defenders and I honestly cannot wait to see the might of four unlikely teammates pitted against the always dark and shady Hand. Both seasons of Daredevil were phenomenal and easily started the network show formula off in the strongest possible way, but as much as I loved Wilson Fisk I adored Jessica Jones’ David Tennant-played Kilgrave even more for his quirks and flaws. Luke Cage is an excellent study in lifestyle and the effects violence and education and other things can have upon people and their families, but it had a very typical Marvel problem in that it couldn’t firmly establish a “big bad” or make you extremely invested in most of the conflict.

    Whereas each of the first three heroes’ stories are strong to me in their own unique ways, Iron Fist is the proverbial black sheep in that it largely falls flat where the others have held strong in every way before. Then again, even with the quality being the same or similar to the other projects, who could’ve thought that even Marvel would go five for five in such a short time span and churn out critical acclaim once more? Iron Fist is far from terrible, it just needs to gain its footing in the future and allow us a chance to better grow alongside and get to know the character. A lot of this first season is spent talking about things versus showing them, particularly where Danny Rand’s backstory comes into play. And with film or television this is all well and good but eventually people are going to want to see things play out rather than hear needless exposition dump after needless exposition dump.

    In an extended and connected universe on the small screen alone where we’ve been blessed with the likes of Mahershala Ali and Rosario Dawson and Jon Bernthal who’ve been side characters with more story and connectivity than some series’ main character even have, it’s been a real letdown to only meet one or two new side story characters whose arcs are even of interest. Of course Madame Gao and her sect of The Hand has the continued interest that any previously unknown enigma offers, yet the only two memorable characters that were newly introduced in Iron Fist were Colleen Wing and Bakuto, perhaps even Ward Meachum as a distant third. The majority of the others fell flat including Danny Rand himself, and others that would’ve been even more interesting- such as Davos or Joy, found themselves sidelined too often to be of much interest.

    All things said and done, I’ve tried to mostly avoid specific spoilers as best as I can here. It is my hope that whether or not you enjoy or even like superhero genre stories, you give Marvel’s network universe a chance. Unlike the CW’s DCU or even Marvel’s Agents of Shield or Agent Carter, these series are a lot more down to earth, believable, and quirky. Each hero has their flaws, each of them is after all only human. Each story isn’t about saving the world but rather the people that matter and the daily personal conflicts that everybody must go through. It’s not always fun to watch the characters struggle and go through hell but it sure is dark, vibrant, and violent and time and time again that’s been proven to be what show-watchers love.    … Expand
  28. Chaagy
    Apr 19, 2017
    4
    The REVIEWS were right! The show lacks vision right from the start and can be seen in the confusing mess of character motivations (Danny, Ward, Joy, Colleen) all do and say things in one scene, then do and say the very opposite things in the very next scenes. It's hard to grasp who the characters are and what motivates them.

    Particularly for Danny who is the main character of the    The REVIEWS were right! The show lacks vision right from the start and can be seen in the confusing mess of character motivations (Danny, Ward, Joy, Colleen) all do and say things in one scene, then do and say the very opposite things in the very next scenes. It's hard to grasp who the characters are and what motivates them.

    Particularly for Danny who is the main character of the show. I'm still not clear on what his motivation is. He zig zags between "pretending" to be a wise, monk (who spouts half-assed asian sayings that I don't believe from him), to being a totally ass and jerk in another scene (he's arrogant, is rude to those who are trying to help/understand him, and he even goes so far as to strike a student who is so far beneath him). I find it hard to really identify or like this hero. He's petulant, arrogant, idiot-like, and can be downright mean some times.
    If you can't build a superhero that the fans actually like, that's a complete lack of vision.

    The production on this show is horrible, dare I say worse than an episode of Arrow (and i like Arrow). At least Arrow is fun, the fight scenes are fun, the acting is hyper dramatic, but it's fun. Iron Fist is not fun, in any way. The fight scene choreography and filming makes it look lazy. I cannot believe that Iron Fist is a good martial arts fighter. His movements are not crisp, sharp, they look lazy... not powerful. It is as if the producers did not even look at Martial Arts films before filming this, did not discuss or have a vision for what makes a good martial arts fight scene. If they did, then they got it completely wrong, and that's just sad. Even a horrid show with horrid dialogue with great fight scenes would be better than this.

    But in the end we get
    - horrid story - uninteresting, uninspired, few twists, no feeling of impending danger, unclear who the villain is, or complexity of the villain
    - horrid dialogue - unconvincing, childish dialogue that remind me of Anakin Skywalker in the prequels, actors appear schizophrenic (all of them)
    - horrid fighting - this is kind of the heart of Iron Fist as a hero - you need to get this right, and it's wrong all the way through.

    Makes me afraid for Defenders. I definitely do not want to see more of Danny Rand.    … Expand
  29. negrocritic
    Apr 14, 2017
    6
    mediocrity, mediocrity, mediocrity, not bad, mediocrity, below mediocre, mediocrity, more mediocrity, even more mediocrity, oh my goodness the mediocrity isn't stopping, MEDIOCRITY...
  30. georgio
    Apr 4, 2017
    5
    Ironfist is an epitome of mediocre TV Show. Mediocre acting, mediocre fight scenes and mediocre writing - with occasional flashes of brilliance as well as WTF moments. If you really need to kill some time and you are fan of Marvel universe then by all means watch it. Otherwise avoid.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
11
#11 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
37

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 11 out of 21
  1. Slate
    Reviewed by: Jonathan L. Fischer
    Mar 20, 2017
    30
    Unfortunately, the trouble with Iron Fist doesn’t end once you start actually watching the show, which like its character, is occasionally sweet, frequently maddening, and ultimately kind of lost in Marvel’s New York.
    Read full review
  2. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Alex Abad-Santos
    Mar 20, 2017
    30
    The clunky dialogue often creates the sense that the show doesn’t trust its audience. ... Everyone fights the same, and no one looks interesting doing it.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Mar 17, 2017
    60
    If Iron Fist pulls it punches in the originality department, it excels in thrilling martial arts action. [20 Mar - 2 Apr 2017, p.19]
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