'Jupiter's Legacy' takes flight but butchers the landing

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Netflix's newest superhero series, while having all of the right elements in the mix, somehow falls flat.

The majority of 'Jupiter's Legacy' follows two ageing superhero parents who, after nearly a century of keeping mankind safe, are looking to their adult children to pass on their legacy. The Utopian (Josh Duhamel) and Lady Liberty (Leslie Bibb) are two of the world's first generation of superheroes. Alongside his brother Brainwave (Ben Daniels), Utopian must learn to allow this next generation learn the ways of what it takes to become a true superhero and always abide by "The Code" - help others, don't govern, and never, ever kill.

Being based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, 'Jupiter's Legacy' is described as "an epic superhero drama that spans decades and navigates the complex dynamics of family, power, and loyalty". But does it live up to the hype? In short, not really.

While a Netflix series being based on a novel or a comic book is the meal du jour these days, one would think that with such a creative and critically acclaimed driving force behind it (Mark Millar), this eight-episode series would be wonderful to watch. Coming from the man who created 'Logan' and 'Kingsman: The Secret Service', going into this we have a high expectation of what we're about to get. But with such a high calibre preceding him, what we have here is very much a hit-and-miss production.

While the concept of superheroes passing down the mantle to their children is relatively new territory for a superhero franchise ('The Incredibles' and Millar's 'Kick-Ass' come to mind, however) it doesn't feel all that unique here. While the characters wear outfits that look like they've been taken off the rack of the latest DC movie, albeit boasting a few unique spins on your typical superpowers we've seen time and time again, 'Jupiter's Legacy' just takes itself too seriously for us to fully indulge in.

Sure, fighting evil-doers is serious business (and a messy, bloody one at that), but it shouldn't be a slog to watch. As well as placing us in the present day, the series takes us back to the origin story of when The Utopian and Lady Liberty initially received their superpowers. This storyline, in particular, takes a while to get going, and eventually after some rather confusing happenings, we finally get to the meatier - and more exciting - plot in the final two episodes.

With the majority of the storyline taken up by the leading parents, there isn't much time for their children. Brandon (Andrew Horton) is finding it difficult to carve his own path while in his father's shadow, and on the whole is underused throughout the series. Meanwhile, Chloe (Elena Kampouris) lives the life of a spoilt, messed-up supermodel, refusing to use her powers to save the world or really be part of her family. Should there be a second season, the focus should switch to the younger generation and who they encounter as these elements of the series were where the series came more to life.

On the whole, 'Jupiter's Legacy' isn't the knock-out series we were hoping for, but there are a few surprises along the way - if you're willing to stick it out until the end.

'Jupiter's Legacy' is available to stream on Netflix now.