Parents' Guide to

The Cape

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Live-action comic book serves up violence and a lame plot.

TV NBC Drama 2011
The Cape Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

klwco
klwco Parent of 6 and 10-year-old
December 10, 2011
age 8+

Fun family show especially for our 2 boys

We've only watched a few episodes on Netflix - but my kids aged 7 and almost 11 love this. My husband and I are enjoying it too. I believe "The Cape" is a positive role model, trying to do good and protect his family. Yes, there is violence - but considering the movies/tv shows out there today - I believe the violence is mild!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
jcfclark
jcfclark Parent of 16-year-old
February 28, 2011
age 6+

Writing failed to keep up with the character potential

Used to like The Cape, but it has gotten too violent (2/28) had to turn it off and I am an adult an adult with no little kids - the writing used to be clever and fun, but now it relies only on beatings and blood -- no laughs at all. Too bad because it had real potential when it first started - the writing was unusual and interesting, but apparently the writers are now taking the easy way out and have gotten lazy. Too bad..

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When he's framed for the murder of the Palm City police chief, dedicated cop Vince Farraday (David Lyons) allows the world to believe he's dead while he transforms himself into THE CAPE, a crime-fighting superhero sprung from the pages of his son's favorite comic book. After training with a troupe of underground circus performers (led by Keith David), the newly minted Cape steels himself for confrontation with notorious villain Chess -- aka Peter Fleming (James Frain), the cunning head of a powerful corporation that's slowly taking over the city's law enforcement duties, with plans to ultimately take total control. But the Cape isn't alone is in his fight, thanks to help from a shadowy blogger who calls herself the Oracle (Summer Glau).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (10 ):

If you plan to watch The Cape, loving the comic book genre is practically a prerequisite. Because it's not like the writing, plot, or characters will win you over on their own -- and, more importantly, the show fails to create a world or relatable characters that feel grounded in any sort of humanity.

Swallowing the fact that the head of a powerful corporation moonlights as a serpent-eyed villain and cavorts with scaly thugs is one thing. But accepting the show's hero as a do-gooder who trains with an underground circus troupe -- complete with a pint-sized strongman and a ringleader sensei who uses far too many awkward circus metaphors -- might be more than even the most ardently devoted genre fans can accept.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way this show portrays the world in terms of power, corruption, and corporate influence. Are there really clear-cut "good guys" and "bad guys" out there, or can people be a little of both? Could any of these events actually happen in real life?

  • Why do fictional superheroes continue to hold widespread appeal in television, movies, and graphic novels? If you were a superhero, what would your cause be? What powers would you need to help you achieve it?

  • How does this series compare to other shows on the air about superheroes? What does it do differently?

  • Is the Cape a role model?

TV Details

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