“I’m not too crazy about the outfit either.” —Father Everett
Today’s quick review: Daredevil. Blinded by a childhood accident, Matt Murdock (Ben Affleck) now leads a double life: a lawyer by day and a costumed vigilante by night. Matt finds a kindred spirit when he meets Elektra (Jennifer Garner), a wealthy heiress with a talent for martial arts. But his prowess is put to the test when crime kingpin Wilson Fisk (Michael Clarke Duncan) sends the assassin Bullseye (Colin Farrell) to kill Elektra’s father.
Daredevil is a superhero action movie based on the Marvel Comics character. Ben Affleck stars as Matt Murdock, a blind man whose superhuman senses and martial arts training give him the tools he needs to fight crime. Daredevil offers a modern take on the character’s origin, emphasizing his powers, his burden, and the sadistic nature of his enemies. The result is an action movie with a modest scope and a style that won’t appeal to everyone.
Daredevil is a movie with attitude. Everything from its costume design to its camerawork to its soundtrack is designed to paint a very specific picture of its world. At its best, this makes for a movie that is honest about its intentions and stylish in its presentation. The action scenes are fun in an over-the-top way. There are a handful of clever Easter eggs for comic book fans. And while the story is simple, it covers the ground it needs to.
However, most of Daredevil’s choices are double-edged. Its style dates it to the 2000s and may seem tacky to modern superhero fans. Its darker take on Matt Murdock is missing the optimism typically seen in superhero movies, although Matt’s harsher tactics are dealt with in-story. The story also seems like it is missing a few steps. The Kingpin largely has a background role, while Matt’s job as an attorney has no real plot significance.
How much you get out of Daredevil will depend heavily on how much you like its particular style. Comic book fans looking for a faithful adaptation may find its departures to be too much, while general audiences may not like the heavy-handed way it sets its tone. But for viewers who enjoy the quirks of 2000s-style action movies, Daredevil makes for a fun watch, albeit a flawed one. Give it a watch if you’re willing to not take it too seriously.
For a more flawed superhero movie in a similar vein, try Elektra or Catwoman. For a more successful take on a dark superhero story, try Batman Begins. For a horror-tinged superhero movie with a similarly conflicted main character, try Ghost Rider. For another Marvel adaptation about a troubled vigilante, try The Punisher.
[5.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287978/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a fun but basic take on the character.