Netflix's "DEVIL MAY CRY" Is Wickedly Fun And Unapologetically Nu-Metal (REVIEW)
Over a week ago, Netflix dropped what was arguably one of our most anticipated animated series of the year with, “Devil May Cry.” It’s the third video game adaptation from the South Korean Studio Mir and the fourth time Adi Shankar has stepped in to adapt a video game IP for the streamer. To say that expectations were high is an understatement as the “Devil May Cry” series has been a staple of our gaming diet since its initial release on the original PlayStation. With all the previews pointing to a 00s-drenched nostalgia, fitting for the game released at the start of that decade, the blend of nu-metal music and slick animation seems like a dream come true. Still, is this S-Tier material, or should it be sent back to the depths of demon hell where it came?
Synopsis
When a mysterious villain threatens to open the gates of Hell, a devilishly handsome demon hunter could be the world's best hope for salvation.
We are going to come right out and say it, “Devil May Cry” rocks! Adapting a video game into a series isn’t easy, and even past success doesn’t always dictate a guaranteed future hit, but Adi Shankar and the Studio Mir team have done something that even the video game series couldn’t do; tell a cohesive and singular story. While it does start a little slow, and the commitment to a singular storyline makes sacrifices to some of the sporadic fun the games are known for, it won us over by doing the most important thing right; being really fucking entertaining.
The 8-episode series follows the game’s main hero, Dante (voiced primarily by Johnny Yong Bosch and Kue Lawerence as the younger version) as he is swept up in a battle between the demon realm and a special operations arm of the US government, DARKCOM. When we meet Dante, he’s the demon hunter we know and love, but he’s still ignorant of his abilities being the byproduct of his being the half-demon son of Sparda. Don’t worry if you don’t know who that is, as the series gives enough backstory and context settings for those unfamiliar with the games. The heavy takes the form of The White Rabbit, who is hellbent (pun intended) on breaking down the only barrier that separates Earth from Hell so that he and his army of demons can invade the supposed “paradise land” they seek. The inclusion of other series characters such as “Lady” who goes by Lt. Mary Ann Arkham (voiced by Scout Taylor-Compton) as well as a slew of bosses from the games who here serve as henchmen for the White Rabbit including Plasma, Agni & Rudra, Echidna, and Cavaliere Angelo. We also get glimpses of Mundus and of course, Dante’s estranged brother Vergil.
There are some other hidden gems in here, including the VP of the United States (voiced by the dearly departed, Kevin Conroy) and even a surprising turn from “White Lotus” recurring actor Jon Gries, who voices the comically Texan President of the United States. The voice casting is strong, and one of the standouts of the series which should come as no surprise to anyone as Netflix’s animation never fails to deliver on that front. The series also bathes itself in the same kind of heavy metal meets electronica backing music that the series is known for, especially during some of the over-the-top fight scenes on display. It’s not as graphic as “Castlevania,” but it also doesn’t skimp on the violence in ways that feel disingenuous to the games that spawned the series. Alongside the original score, from the truly wicked Powerglove, the series revels in the nu-metal genre germane to the early 00s era it is supposed to take place in. From the intro with a remix of Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin’” to “Last Resort” from Papa Roach, there is no shortage of nu-metal nostalgia that fits in nicely with the series’ tone and aesthetic.
Speaking of aesthetics, the animation is slick and the editing is breakneck to keep the action “rolling” (again, pun intended) through the 30-minute episodes. The action scenes are most definitely the standout, with a fight scene in Dante’s office in the 2nd episode and the big culmination battles in the last two episodes being the standouts. While the action is solid, the story is where things start to falter. It’s admirable that the team is weaving a single narrative, as the game’s lore is at best, a mess, but it’s a bit silly and overdone in ways we wish it weren’t. Don’t get us wrong, we love to poke fun at how much the religious right has taken over politics, but the cartoonishly odd President character and the VP’s Christ-laden crusade is more zealot-like than parody. Thankfully, Conroy delivers such a great vocal performance it compensates. And through it all, the story is rather simple despite trying to weave something more complex. It’s a revenge story, with shades of self-discovery, which may help new entrants to the series but misses some of the simplicity of the games, Dante killing demons. If there is one note we’d give the producers for the next season, which was just announced yesterday, it’s to not overthink this. What makes “Devil May Cry” so appealing is the abundance of guns plus swords fighting, the diversity of the demon designs, and the outrageous boss fights. Here, some of the game’s toughest bosses are relegated to sidekick roles when they really should be center stage.
All in all, “Devil May Cry” is a success despite some of its flaws. Dante’s antics and character are well-represented, and the animation is top-tier which is expected for such pedigree on the creator side. While the story does feel overcooked, the setup for the second season does promise something far bigger in scope and scale, while also bringing us more of some of the game’s best elements, the battle between brothers and the fight against the demon lord, Mundus.
“Devil May Cry” is streaming NOW on Netflix!
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