Iron Reign isn’t downright terrible. It has the usual stakes of a crime series– tough guys, guns, and cargo that the gang wants to sell, while the cops want to stop– and right off the gate, there are decent gunfight sequences between gangs that are fun to watch. However, even with a great production, and a unique portside location, the characters of Iron Reign start off as the most generic versions of themselves. Manchado rules the port, but we don’t get to know his mindset, what drives him, or anything that would motivate him, whereas Victor seems determined to bring him down only because it’s his real job as a police infiltrator. The betrayals and double-dealing later on start making the drama feel more interesting, but Iron Reign’s introductions falter in making the characters seem interesting.
Synopsis
Joaquín Manchado rules his drug empire from Barcelona's seaport with an iron fist — until a new shipment sends business and family spiraling.
Storyline
At the Port of Barcelona, Joaquín Manchado rules over his drug empire with an iron fist, but his reign is threatened with a new shipment that arrives at port.
TLDR
Stop. Moving. The. Camera.
What stands out
We’re used to fairly static cameras in television, so whenever the camera starts to move, we can’t help but pay attention. Iron Reign’s camera movement could have been an interesting choice– with an infiltrator in the crew, moving the camera, zooming in, etc. can indicate the ways Victor spots potential incriminating evidence– but the camera here moves ALL the time, even in moments that don't require it. It just makes it so distracting.