WhenTwisted Metalseason 1 first debuted in 2023, I certainly was intrigued to see how the classic game that mixedMario KartwithMortal Kombatwould be translated to the screen, particularly since video game adaptations were in the midst of a renaissance with the likes of HBO’sLast of UsandtheSonic the Hedgehogmovies. While part of me was disappointed by the titular tournament’s absence, the show’s creative team — which includesDeadpoolvets Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick andCobra Kaialum Michael Jonathan Smith, and stars Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, and Joe Seanoa/Will Arnett — certainly made it more than a fun time.
This is ultimately why I was somewhat disappointed withTwisted Metalseason 2. It doesn’t feel like the creative team learned the right lessons from season 1. Picking up seven months after season 1’s ending, season 2 sees Anthony Mackie’s John Doe struggling to adjust to his new life in New San Francisco as he misses being on the road with Stephanie Beatriz’s Quiet, while also being pushed to train to be the city’s driver in the titular tournament. Quiet, meanwhile, is now a part of the Dollface crew, led by John’s long-forgotten sister, agreeing with their mission to try and bring equality to the world.
All the while,Twisted Metalseason 2 also seesJoe Seanoa/Will Arnett’s Sweet Toothand Mike Mitchell’s Stu continuing their murderous cross-country journey. They learn new killers are overtaking the former’s infamy as the most dangerous killer in the country. When the mysterious Calypso, played byBarryandSuperman’s Anthony Carrigan, emerges from the darkness with the announcement of the titular tournament, to whose winner will be granted a single wish, everyone’s paths find themselves colliding for more — but also not enough — vehicular mayhem.
Twisted Metal Season 2’s Plot Takes A Little Too Long To Get Going
It Doesn’t Feel Like Season 1’s Flaws Are Improved Upon Much
ConsideringTwisted Metalseason 1 endedwith Calypso looking over his board of plans and racers for the titular tournament, part of me really hoped season 2 would waste no time getting to it. However, the creative team spends a little too much time making us wait for it. There are character arcs the writers need to catch us up on, as well as new characters to introduce, but considering the big hook of this season was meant to be the vehicular mayhem of the tournament, it’s disappointing that it doesn’t begin until halfway through season 2.
There are certainly character moments in the show’s earlier episodes that prove welcome explorations of our favorite drivers, particularly John, when he and his sister finally cross paths. While some shows might take a sentimental path and have it be an emotional reunion from the start,Twisted Metaltakes a grounded route to this dynamic, with John’s memory still failing to come back, and them both having to confront what their reunion means to each other.
I was mixed onTwisted Metal’s season 2 ending. Without outright spoiling anything, the season finale is a good transition for the show to move on from John and Quiet, and instead put Sweet Tooth as its lead character, particularly as more of the killer clown’s backstory is alluded to, one that is in line with the games. However, with a late-season plot twist that puts the duo right back in the crosshairs, keeping Mackie and Beatriz asTwisted Metal’s leads for a potential season 3 feels forced.
The Action Is Still Explosive & The Comedy Mostly On Point
It Does Feel Like There’s Something Missing From The Former, Though
Where its plot and pacing still prove about as uneven as the first season,Twisted Metalseason 2more than makes up for it with exciting action and joy-inducing humor. Not only do Smith and his team expand on the same wacky humor of season 1, but also ensure their jokes and characters don’t run stale, with one-note figures like Sweet Tooth finding new ways to create laugh-out-loud moments. Season 2 also finds unique ways to work in meta humor, from explicit video game Easter eggs to poking fun at Peacock’s sister platforms.
Where the action ultimately left me disappointed, though, was just how oftenTwisted Metalseason 2 puts the onus on hand-to-hand combat than it does its vehicular mayhem.
The action is wonderfully brought to life. The use of practical effects captures its mix of vehicular and hand-to-hand combat, while CGI is used just enough to make certain sequences feel appropriately large-scale. I specifically found myself in awe of the show’s effects when it came to the live-action realization of Axel (TheWalking Deadalum Michael James Shaw), the two large wheels his body is attached to, a round taking place in the same kind of radiation lightning storm seen in season 1, and epic final round of the tournament.
Where the action ultimately left me disappointed, though, was just how oftenTwisted Metalseason 2 puts the onus on hand-to-hand combat than it does its vehicular mayhem. I understand there’s still only so much budget to appropriately realize the video game tournament for the screen, but once the tournament gets started, it’s something of a step backwards to see the drivers fighting with one another and other foes on foot instead of in their cars.
Twisted Metal’s Cast Remains A Delight
There Are A Few New & Returning Standouts Of The Bunch
While the action alone could be enough to make the show broadly enjoyable, it’s great to seeTwisted Metal’s castperforming at the top of their games. Mackie is still equal parts charming and hysterical as the overly confident John, Beatriz finds new emotional depths for Quiet while also offering more humorous quips from her, even as she still retains her badass persona. Both Seanoa and Arnett continue to be the perfect pairing for portraying Sweet Tooth.
Ahead of the season, I was excited about Anthony Carrigan as Calypso. I’ve long adored the actor since his turn as Victor Zsasz inGothamandhis later fantastic work inBarry,Death of a Unicorn,andSuperman. While he certainly plays the role of the mysterious tournament founder largely well, there are parts where I found myself waning on the character, particularly as the show tried to repeat the joke about Calypso’s creepy laugh.
I can’t deny there were a few other welcome additions to theTwisted Metalseason 2 roster.Letterkennyalum Tyler Johnstonhas found another hysterically twisted character to play with the new leader of the Holy Men,She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s Patty Guggenheim shows off some solid dramatic chops as the actual leader of the Ravens, and Saylor Bell Curda is appropriately chaotic as the overconfident young apocalyptic survivor, Mayhem. Though part of me wishes the show had found a better way to balance their arcs with more vehicular action, season 2 is a fun expansion of the game adaptation.
The first three episodes ofTwisted Metalseason 2 begin streaming on July 31, followed by new episodes every Thursday.
