The Cape on NBC, Frain, David and Jones a trio of awesome, some thoughts

By April MacIntyre Jan 9, 2011, 19:59 GMT

"The Cape" does not deserve the heaping of disdain from cynical ink slingers who must not have any children, nor enjoy a Comic book-inspired romp as a lighthearted and fast-paced fun affair.

Let me be perfectly upfront: I am at complete odds with the television critics' mass chatter over how much they hate NBC's "The Cape."

Don't get me wrong, is it "Boardwalk Empire" or "Downton Abby"? Hell no. But it isn't horrid "Kath & Kim" or boring "Harry's Law" either. 

Considering the target audience, this is great fun for family viewing, or for people who cannot stomach watching Frank Gallagher (William Macy) in Showtime's "Shameless," also a dad like "The Cape's" protagonist Vince Faraday, but certainly not as nurturing.

"The Cape" does not deserve the heaping of disdain from cynical ink slingers who must not have any children, nor enjoy a Comic book-inspired romp as a lighthearted and fast-paced fun affair.  One of the reasons I never cared for "Heroes" was how seriously it took itself.  This cartoon colored effort, with A+ talent, gamely plays along in these fantastical and completely unrealistic scenarios, and does it well.

NBC takes two hours telling us how honest cop Vince Faraday (David Lyons) a family man and doting dad in a fictional California town, Palm City, is standing down in a town and department riddled with corruption. 

A corporate behemoth, Ark, wants to privatize law enforcement, and as we know, that always works out so well.

So Faraday becomes a pawn in super villain Chess's master plan, and lo and behold, James Frain, one of the best actors around (The Tudors, True Blood) is the evil corporate prince who moonlights as a murderous character.

Lurking out there in the "Internets" is Orwell, played by comely Summer Glau, an all seeing babe with a kick ass car to boot. She becomes Faraday's angel of sorts, helping him undermine Ark, and reconnect with his family.

After the police chief is killed and Ark frames Vince and then tries to murder him, Faraday fakes his death, and goes underground to rebuild his rep, protect his family who thinks he's dead, and get revenge on Chess/Peter Fleming (James Frain),

The Cape is the prop that is called upon to effect illusory moves and "superhuman" qualities which are just show, thanks to tutelage with Max Malini (another superb actor, Keith David) a Circus Barker character who teaches Faraday how to wrangle a cape spun from spider's silk, which has some astounding abilities to snap like a towel in laser like precision.  Totally ridiculous and fun to watch as he masters this thing.

Vince not only has James Frain's Chess to worry about, but also heavy Vinnie Jones' Scales, a powerful criminal with a disturbing skin condition that makes his skin look like green and gold scales.  Jones is also a major frame stealer and has fun with this comic baddie.

This is pure family-friendly tales of honor, valor and David vs Goliath swaths of well crafted TV that is not at all to be taken seriously, which is why its the perfect popcorn event for families.

"The Cape" premieres Sunday, Jan. 9 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

Cape Premiere Party –

Summer Glau wants to see your villain Do you have an idea for the ultimate villain? Enter The Cape contest and for a chance to have your villain appear on-air.

Suit Up, Fight Back The

Cape is determined to see that justice is done.

Where's Your Cape? The world's next superhero gets a little help. The Cape premieres Sunday, January 9th.

Meet the Villains What good is a superhero without a few villains? The Cape premieres Sunday, January 9th.