New Show: The Cape

We are starting off 2011 with a new superhero, as if we were looking for one.  Even so, the early information on NBC's new show The Cape is encouraging.  Gone are the vampires of yore (last year), and back are the vigilantes in tights (or at least leather).  Everything I read indicates we are looking at the return of a humanoid Batman rather than an off-world Superman. Here is the official storyline from NBC:

An honest cop on a corrupt police force is framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. Forced into hiding and desperate to reunite with his wife and son, he recreates himself as a caped hero, determined to bring justice back to the city he loves. 

Sounds a lot like a zillion earlier movies, so the secret will be in the story development and most importantly the acting.  As far as stories go, I dropped NBC's Heroes after its first season due to the overly complex stories lines, endless flashbacks, and unlikeable characters (though I tended to like them the first season until they shifted).  It seems The Cape will be a little more grounded.  And the acting I have seen to date looks fair enough to keep the viewers coming back.  Here is the trailer for the show.  I just hope it follows the Christopher Nolan versions of Batman rather than the fun yet thin Tim Burton versions.  Maybe America needs a real superhero, for now.

Update:  Well, that was one horrible show and I cannot believe it will last for too long.  And this is after one episode.  I mentioned Christopher Nolan's Batman series in my earlier comments, but who knew The Cape would be a cheap knock-off?  The introduction of The Cape to the "bad guys" was identical to Batman Begins, where a mysterious, darkly-clad, caped  figure slowly picks off thugs packing illegal goods among various shipment containers.  Even the scenes of the caped crusader talking to a young boy among the building fire escapes was reminiscent of Batman Begins.  Was this really necessary, or did the writers simply miss the first Batman movie to revive the series?  And the silly flashbacks to figures we saw only 10 minutes earlier was insulting to any intelligent viewer.  By the way, what city was this supposed to be?  I saw the Chicago skyline from the air and palm trees at the street level.  Finally, the makers of the pilot could not even ensure The Cape could hold onto his cape through the first two hours.  If this was supposed to be cute it did not work.  The pilot was an absolute mess and embarrassing to watch.  And if you think it is just me, here are a few other reviews:

Hollywood Chicago:  The first two hours of “The Cape” feel like a program on borrowed time and it’s almost as if the writers and cast knew it. There’s desperation in nearly every scene and line of dialogue trying to sell you the importance of this story of the hero this dark world truly needs. I’ve been wrong before, but if “The Cape” doesn’t go the way of other pedestrian NBC genre efforts like “Knight Rider” and “Bionic Woman” then there must truly be some superheroes working at NBC because they know something I don’t know.

Hollywood Reporter:  If it’s not Batman -- though it sure gives off the Batman vibe without any of the interesting parts – then what exactly is The Cape? It’s another misstep by NBC, for starters. But more importantly it’s a series that looks like a whole bunch of cooks decided to build the most creatively awesome and different kitchen imaginable, forgetting for a moment that none of them can really cook. 

Second Update:  Time to hang up the cape (if you haven't lost it again), for the show has been cancelled.  UGO Entertainment pointed out that NBC was quick to jump ship, first cutting the season from 13 episodes to 10 episodes, and they showing the tenth episode online only.  Talk about running for the life boats!