An Uneven Reboot For Dante

Netflix’s newest foray into animated online game variations is a brand new spin on Satan Might Cry, Capcom’s glorious collection of character motion video games that kicked off in 2001. And although the present represents a reboot of the continuity that lets the uninitiated decide issues up at first, it’s nonetheless deeply rooted within the collection’ early ‘00s origins. Watching the opening set to Limp Bizkit’s 2000 nu steel banger “Rollin’” made me say “Oh, this present is for the divorced dads,” earlier than I slowly realized that sooner or later, the belongings you take heed to, watch, and play as a child turn out to be “divorced dad core.” One way or the other, once I wasn’t wanting, Satan Might Cry grew to become “previous,” and apparently, so did I.

Although Capcom’s sport franchise has spanned many years and arguably obtained its finest entry ever in 2019’s Satan Might Cry 5, the Netflix collection’ eight-episode run feels very a lot of the video games’ authentic early-2000s period. Sure, its needle drops for edgy AMV-bait songs like Papa Roach’s “Final Resort” are tacky nods to a nu steel heyday which may not resonate with somebody who’s by no means performed one in every of Dante’s demon-slaying massacres, however these have been the songs of the early 2000s that Satan Might Cry followers have been in all probability listening to through the authentic trilogy’s PS2 run. After it stopped making me existential, I appreciated how a lot Netflix’s spin on the collection commits to the bit, even when it took me time to heat as much as its busy, multi-season setup.

Many of the necessary elements of Satan Might Cry are right here. A youthful, spryer model of Dante, performed by Johnny Yong Bosch (who performs his nephew Nero within the video games), finds himself within the crosshairs of two factions: a demon rebellion led by a dapper White Rabbit and a demon-hunting authorities company. The White Rabbit seeks to tear the barrier between the human and demon worlds down, permitting the devils of the underworld to pour into the remainder of the earth, and so they want one in every of Dante’s solely household heirlooms to do it. This model of Dante was orphaned at a younger age and solely is aware of the tales his mom instructed him about the place they got here from. He’s only a easy demon hunter who doesn’t know why literal Hell is rising round him.

Longtime followers know the place this all leads, however I used to be shocked at simply how elaborate the present’s entangled internet of characters grew to become by the tip of the season, on condition that it’s all comparatively easy within the video games. Satan Might Cry is a busy present. Dante is on the heart of all of it, however there are giant swaths of the eight episodes that concentrate on the supporting forged, corresponding to fan-favorite Girl and the remainder of her demon-hunting unit, and the non secular zealot Vice President Baines, performed by the late, nice Kevin Conroy. The primary half of the present is a bit plodding because it establishes the brand new setup, and also you solely get into the meat of what issues after the present’s midway via and loads of characters have already fallen. By the point it reaches the second half, the present has dropped a variety of useless weight and began specializing in the stuff Satan Might Cry followers are in all probability in search of. A lot of this extended setup feels designed to put groundwork for future seasons, which the finale unambiguously tees up, however for a collection that has been recognized to do lots with little or no, having such an enormous ensemble doesn’t do it many favors at first.

Although it’s a bit bloated to begin, Satan Might Cry remains to be a rollicking good time even whereas it’s attending to the good things. Dante is as trendy, rambunctious, and pleasant to observe wreck store on demons as he’s ever been. The motion in Satan Might Cry is elegant, quickly oscillating from Dante’s signature campy swagger to dramatic hyperviolence on the drop of a hat. Through the early episodes, it’s at all times a aid when the long-winded exposition is briefly damaged up by scenes of Dante dealing with off in opposition to a small pack of poor bastards who do not know what the gunslinging swordsman is able to. Then the second half of the season places all that violence into context, lending it new dramatic weight and even making it cathartic as well.

Satan Might Cry’s first half isn’t unhealthy by any stretch, however the present takes extra time than it ought to to seek out its footing. I’m curious to see how non-fans react to this present; Netflix’s earlier sport variations like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Castlevania have introduced in individuals who by no means performed these video games, however Satan Might Cry feels totally different, like a understanding nod and wink to the individuals who have been enjoying via Dante’s demon-slaying adventures 20 years in the past. Will its tacky time capsule of edgy 2000s camp be interesting to the trendy teenager? That’s not me, so I can’t say for certain. However Satan Might Cry had me in its sights, and now that it’s cleared area for a extra conventional Dante story subsequent season, I’m down for a second spherical.