DAREDEVIL (2003)
CAST
Ben Affleck .... Matt
Murdock/Daredevil
Jennifer Garner .... Elektra Natchios
Colin Farrell .... Bullseye
Michael Clarke Duncan .... Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin
Jon Favreau .... Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson
Scott Terra .... Young Matt
Ellen Pompeo .... Karen Page
Joe Pantoliano .... Ben Urich
Directed by Mark Stephen Johnson
Screenplay by Mark
Stephen Johnson
Based upon the character created by Stan Lee
SYNOPSIS
Matt Murdock is a lawyer who
was blinded during a chemical accident when he was a kid. However, after that
accident his other senses were heightened to a superhuman degree making him the
costumed hero known as Daredevil. When Daredevil goes against the Kingpin, who
is the biggest crime lord in New York, he comes across Kingpin's newest recruit,
the lunatic killer
Bullseye who is famous for his targeting skills. Bullseye is
so dangerous that he can turn any object into a weapon and he never misses his
target.
REVIEW
I have to got to say that I love Daredevil, it has got to be my favourite superhero/comic book film of all time. I kbnow that its not everyone's cup of tea - in fact, I know of quite a lot of people who really loathe it, but I'm not one of them. Perhaps they were not ready for such a dark, downbeat display in comparison to the day-glo theatrics of Spiderman. Perhaps they were unable to accept Ben Affleck playing a character with some substance. Whatever the reason, its their loss.
Affleck, to me, was a
revelation in this film. Compared to the only film I'd seen him in at the
time (the truly awful 'Pearl Harbor'), I was pleasantly surprised to see him
turn in such a multi-layered and understated performance. Sadly, his
relationship withn Jennifer Lopez tended to overshadow his acting at the time.
Michael Clarke Duncan's casting as the Kingpin was a work of genius - his
performance all the more chilling for his soft spokeness belying his giant
frame. Colin Farrell, on the other hand, is anything but undersated.
As Bullseye, he goes OTT and, obviously, loves every minute of it. His
theatrics and manic gleam prevent the film from becoming too sombre and
downbeat.
And, finally, we come to Jennifer Garner. I've always been a sucker for women in tight leatheer (goes back to seeing Suzi Quatro when I was about 5) and Garner wers the leather well. Furthermore, she gives a wonderful performance as Elektra in a well written role. Sadly, this did not carry one for her solo venture where she struggled with a poor script.
The production design and cinematography bring the dark side of New York to life in all its grimy, rain drenched glory. mark Stephen's Johnson's script and direction brings the 'man without fear' to life in what is, possibly, the most adult supehero to date.
10/10
LINKS
Fox Home Entertainment
Daredevil Resource
Marvel Database Project