Daredevil
Since the success of Spider-Man, films based on comic books have been flooding the theatres much like reality TV programs are congesting primetime television. As with any genre, there are winners and losers. X2 is a worthy film that capitalizes more on the status of X-Men (2000) than on the popularity of comic-book movies in general. Despite the direction of Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), The Hulk is utterly forgettable.
Keep in mind that these comic books were quite popular before being Hollywoodized. I've never heard of the series Daredevil before, but when the film version was released early in 2003, I thought "mediocre" would be a kind word to describe the finished product. I was way off.
As the child of a former star boxer, Matt Murdock had a lot to prove. He was picked on in school, but his dad strictly prevented Matt from hitting anything but books. Matt trained his brain until an encounter with radioactive waste left him blinded; however, his remaining senses were somehow amplified. He then trained his body, using Hell's Kitchen as a nautilus. After witnessing his father's murder at the order of a crime kingpin, Matt vows to fight for the long shots, the people who can't fight for themselves.
Years later, Matt is a well-respected public defender who takes on several pro bono cases. Nobody, not even his law partner, knows that Matt has a gig on the side: He dispenses justice as the Daredevil during the night. Most of the Daredevil's targets are bad dudes who have fallen through one of the legal system's countless cracks. One morning, Matt meets his match in Electra Natchios, the daughter of a famous billionaire, and soon wins her heart. When a flawless assassin, Bullseye, frames Daredevil for the murder of Nicholas Natchios, Electra has unwittingly declared her boyfriend's alter ego to be her enemy.
Daredevil is one of the more entertaining films that I have seen this month, but it has its flaws. Many plot elements are formulaic. Matt receives his powers in a disbelief-suspending accident, similar to Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Matt's sense of justice originates from a tragic personal loss (i.e. Batman and Spider-Man). Also, the story is weak; it seems to take most of the runtime just to define the principal conflict.
One of this film's more memorable aspects is its cast of young stars. Ben Affleck is a good choice as Matt Murdock; he's a strong leading actor who brings honor to a lawyer role. If you watch the TV show "Alias," you probably won't be surprised by Jennifer Garner's (Electra) acrobatic skills. Colin Farrell, another Flavor of the Month, delivers an impressive Bullseye; this villain's precision is almost comical. Lastly, Jon Favreau (Swingers) plays a bit role as Matt's law partner Franklin "Foggy" Nelson. Foggy doesn't play a significant part in the story, but Favreau's presence is always welcome.
Unknown director Mark Steven Johnson (Simon Birch) brings some impressive camera work to the finished film, particularly when following Bullseye's projectiles. Johnson's career might even take off due to Daredevil's success. This is definitely one of 2003's pleasant surprises, and I am hoping for a sequel.
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
Booze and action films always seem to fit well together.
Matt Murdock and Electra Natchios share chemistry (and a tastefully done love scene).
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