Rating: Summary: Sorry Ben, you're no superhero Review: Since "Blade" came out in 1999, Marvel Comics caught a big one with the super-hero movies. A year later, Bryan Singer proved with "X-Men" that comic book adaptations could be both ambitious and succesful, then... a monster was born. "Blade 2", "Spiderman", "X-Men 2" and "The Hulk", all hit (and smashed) the box office, and many more are on the way. Of all these flicks, only "Daredevil" was a financial disapointment, and I have to say that 10 minutes into the movie you can see why. First of all, and I think most people agree on this, the main problem of "Daredevil" is its lead star. Ben Affleck is an actor that just doesn't seem to make it . He is very good as Matt Murdock, the pro-bono lawyer, and you even like the guy when he talks to his buddy in the Seinfeld-like coffee shop. However, once he puts on his superhero costume, the magic runs out. Affleck just doesn't have the dark sex appeal necessary for the nocturnal vigilante (anyone who has seen Tim Burton's Batman knows how important this is), therefore his character fails to deliver the necessary empathy or connection between the audience and the hero. You would think that with such a problem, the supporting cast should make up for the rest, but you're wrong. The movie has some beloved Marvel characters like Elektra (Jennifer Garner), Bullseye (Colin Farrell) and Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan), but none of them is crucial to the story. NONE OF THEM! I swear to God that if you add up all the scenes in which they are, none of them is on the movie for more than 20 minutes. Or at least, it doesn't seem so. Elektra, especially, was thought to be the best thing in the movie. At least, in the trailers it looked like she was. She sort of is, but she only has two (I repeat, TWO) fight scenes, and her character is pretty much wasted. So is Bullseye, who is little more than a cartoon in Colin Farrell's hands. As for Kingpin, well, I don't mind that they changed his looks dramatically, but he's the least developed character. A stupid plot twist makes him Daredevil's archenemy, and the end is just silly and pathetic. Another problem is the plot. Or better yet, the "plots". A lot of things happen in the movie, but none of them are central. There comes a time when Elektra is out to kill Daredevil, believing he's her father's murdeder. THAT should've been the movie, but it is resolved quickly and without consequences. Anyway, in plot, character and performances, "Daredevil" takes the plunge big time. The edition is another story. It is by far one the best I've seen. It would be easier to say what doesn't have. Of all the documentaries, featurettes and other features, some are dedicated to the comic book, others to the movie. Both are great. It seems like this time New Line Cinema really went for the money, which makes me think that they hope "Daredevil" to be a hit on DVD more than it was on the theaters. If you're a fan of the comic book, then these features should be more satisfying that the movie itself. There isn't much more. I really can't say that I liked "Daredevil", but I've seen worse. However, of all these superhero fever, I advice you to stick with "The Hulk" or "X-Men 2". This goes to show you that for a comic-book adaptation to be good, it's not all about big budgets and special effects. There's something more, and this one doesn't have it. I've heard that they are preparing new superhero movies, including a second "Spiderman", a third "X-Men", "The Fantastic Four", "Elektra" and "Catwoman". Somehow, I don't think that Ben and his blind lawyer from Hell's Kitchen are making a comeback.
Rating: Summary: Daredevil is no Spider-Man Review: I went into this movie with high hopes and came out a little disappointed. Overall, it's an entertaining movie, but it falls short in a few regards. I'd originally heard that it was on par with Spider-Man, if not better, although a bit darker. It's not really that dark (I'm pretty sure it even has a lower body count), and it's definitely no match for Spider-Man. Now, I happen to like Daredevil, Bullseye, and the rest from their comic-book appearances. These are some of the most fascinating heroes and villains you're ever likely to find translated into movie form. The problem is, the movie just doesn't do them all justice. First up is Matt Murdock, Daredevil himself, played by Ben Affleck. If you're unfamiliar with Daredevil, you may think his primary super power is his oversized ego. Nope, that's Affleck's super power (his lesser power being the ability to tolerate Jennifer Lopez's company for more than five minutes at a time). Fans of Daredevil will immediately realize that he suddenly has a degree of superhuman strength and agility, brought about due to his heightened sense of touch instead of intense physical training. (I know that doesn't make any sense, but just go with it.) Daredevil also retains his other heightened senses (excluding sight, of course), and makes us wonder how he can handle the amplified noise of New York City without going insane. His radar, on the other hand, is a bit off. Daredevil's radar sense is supposed to work better than sight, giving him the edge. Instead, the special effect version we are shown of what Daredevil "sees" shows us that he can "see" about as well as any of us could see in a pool full of chlorine. At least that explains why this is the only super hero you'll ever meet who nearly gets his ticket punched by an ambassador's daughter and an overweight crime boss. Next is Elektra, played by Jennifer Garner. Garner does Elektra well, no question about it. She emotes, and she looks good. Better still is her skill in the fight scenes. She looks comfortable with her weapons, too, which is key to the character. Then there's Bullseye, played by Colin Farrell. Bullseye puts it best himself when he tells Kingpin, "I want a costume." Bullseye really should have had a costume. Maybe the original comic-book costume would have looked a bit cartoonish on the big screen, but he could have at least had a modified ninja outfit. Instead, he comes out looking like a pimp who passed out with his forehead resting on a hot stove. If they came up with a way to put the Green Goblin in his costume in Spider-Man, you'd think they could do it with Bullseye in Daredevil. His ability to turn any object into a deadly weapon is really cool, and makes sense when he's chucking shards of glass at people, but he pushes believability when he kills a guy with bits of a paperclip. I don't care how fast you can throw a curve ball, you just can't kill somebody by beaning them with a dry sponge. Last, but certainly not least, is Kingpin, played by Michael Clarke Duncan. Of all the characters, Kingpin has been cast best, and Duncan does a great job. Purists may have a problem with how Kingpin is suddenly black, but that's really one of the lesser changes made between comic and film. He's mean when he's supposed to be mean, and charming when he's supposed to be charming. Better still, his style and personality truly portray him as a guy who pulled himself up from thug to crime lord. Kingpin has always been a good villain anyway, but Duncan sets him off. Read no further if you want to avoid spoilers. The best part of this movie is the flashback scene near the beginning where we see how Daredevil became Daredevil. It's very Spider-Man in this way, and almost as touching. Unfortunately, it's all downhill from there. Particularly notable is the part where Daredevil, Elektra, and Bullseye meet up for their three-way rooftop battle. Maybe I missed something there, but how did those three arrange to meet up in a city that big at just the right time? It's not like they fly a Devil Signal in the sky, and I doubt any of these guys give out their pager numbers to their archenemies. Elektra turns Daredevil into a corndog with her sai, but that doesn't stop him from miraculously recovering enough to take on both Bullseye and Kingpin later that night. Despite losing what looks like more blood than most human bodies can hold, Daredevil can still scale the walls of a church and execute flips that allow him to dodge projectiles thrown by a guy who "never misses." After beating Bullseye, Daredevil goes on in videogame style to face the next boss, Kingpin. This is what annoyed me most. Kingpin is the classic behind-the-curtain villain. Since they already knew this movie would have a sequel, there was no need to let Daredevil beat the tar out of him so soon. This fight should be the climax to the trilogy, not the first movie. Of course, Kingpin promises to return, and Bullseye is also still breathing. It's possible Bullseye will even have his Wolverine-style adamantium skeleton in a later film, since he probably busted up most of his bones when Daredevil through him out of that building. Fans also know that, as the ending hints, Elektra will return in a later film, despite her dramatic death. So there you have it. This is a decent movie with some great fight scenes, adequate special effects, and a wardrobe department and cast that will leave you shaking your head in wonder and confusion. It's worth watching, but given the choice, see Spider-Man.
Rating: Summary: so-so comic book film Review: **1/2 Matt Murdock is a mild-mannered, pro bono attorney by day and a high-flying, crime-fighting superhero by night. The one thing that separates this costumed do-gooder (who goes by the name Daredevil) from his comic book brethren like Superman and Spiderman is that Murdock/Daredevil happens to be blind. The same accident involving radioactive chemicals that, as a boy, deprived Matt of his eyesight also had the bizarre effect of heightening and enhancing his other senses, most notably hearing and touch, to an astonishing degree (it should be pointed out that little is done in the story with taste and smell). The accident also appears, inexplicably, to have given him the power to defy the laws of physics and gravity. Like any superhero worthy of the title, he uses these preternatural skills to right wrongs and bring justice to the imperiled and helpless citizenry living in the urban jungles of New York City. The hero's handicap seems to be about the only element, in fact, that distinguishes the movie "Daredevil" from the earlier films based on those other characters. As conceived by writer/director Mark Steven Johnson, the tone of this film is a few shades darker than the one in "Spiderman" and a few shades lighter than the one in "Batman" and "Darkman." Since there is nothing particularly fresh or groundbreaking offered in this film, one begins to wonder why Hollywood feels such a compelling need to drive this particular genre into the already over-saturated ground (even adolescents, the target audience for this type of film, seem to be tiring of all these offerings lately). "Daredevil" provides all the requisite scenes of its superhero soaring through the air, jumping from building to building, and karate-chopping his way to victory over a plethora of bad-guy enemies. But it's all starting to feel a bit old hat by this time, so much so that, even in the moments when "Daredevil" is good, the film doesn't feel innovative and fresh enough for us to really commit to it. Ben Affleck, with his earnest and stolid seriousness, does manage to bring a certain gravity to the main character - and his relationship with Elektra (Jennifer Garner), a young woman with some "superhero" moves of her own, is genuinely charming and touching at times. There is a lovely scene in which Matt envisions Elektra's beauty by hearing the raindrops falling on her face. It is in rare moments such as this that "Daredevil" rises above the conventions of its genre, but such moments are very few and far between indeed. Most of the running time seems to be spent on characters performing acrobatic kickboxing moves on tops of skyscrapers (all of which are decked out with statuary in places where nobody would ever be likely to see it). Colin Farrell invests the implement-wielding villain, Bullseye, with an air of sly menace that makes him a worthy foil to the lovestruck boy wonder of the piece. I must say, in way of a caveat, that some of the violence in the film is uglier and more mean-spirited in nature than is, perhaps, justified by the material. "Daredevil" tries for a little thematic richness by dramatizing the internal conflict being waged inside Matt's psyche between the need to let the legal system runs its course and his own desire to achieve a little vigilante-type justice for the victims when the court system itself fails. But that theme is never dealt with at any great level of depth. The art direction, action sequences and special effects are generally impressive, but even they contribute to the generalized feeling of déjà vu that hangs over the work. Maybe it's finally time to outgrow our obsession with superheroes who come out of nowhere to fight our battles for us - and time to stop always thinking of ourselves as some sort of defeated underdog in need of protection. There are certainly enough life-sized heroes living and working in our own communities and neighborhoods to serve as our inspiration. Movies like "Daredevil" may, finally, have run their course.
Rating: Summary: GOOD FILM... Review: THIS IS A PURE ACTION FILM. DON'T EXPECT A CITIZEN KANE OR CASABLANCA SCREENPLAY. IT'S A SUPER-HERO FILM... NEED I SAY MORE. THE PERFORMANCES WERE SATISFACTORY. BEN AFFLECK DOES SURPRISINGLY WELL IN ONE OF MARVEL'S DARKER SIDED HEROES. JENNIFER GARNER DOES WELL AS ELEKTRA... THE ILL FATED HEROINE WHO GRADUALLY LOSES EVERYTHING IMPORTANT AND GOOD IN HER LIFE TO A RIDICULOUS DEGREE. THE GREAT COLIN FARRELL, YEAH RIGHT, IS BULLSEYE, AN OVER THE TOP PEFORMANCE TO SAY THE LEAST, BUT HAY NO ONE JUDGES NICHOLSON'S JOKER. MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN PLAYS THE LEX LUTHERESQE BALD HEADED CRIME LORD/BUISNESSMAN BIGMAN KINGPIN/ OR WILSON FISK, NOT SO BAD FOR THE ROLE THAT WAS A RED NECKED WHITE MAN IN THE COMIC... BUT HAY... RIGHT NOW... HE'S THE BEST FOR THE PART. JON FAVREAU, JOE PANTOLIANO, AND DAVID KEITH FILL OUT THE REST OF THE CAST WELL. THE PLOT IS SIMPLE... HE KILLED BY DAD... YOU KILLED MY DAD... NO I DIDN'T... HE DID... LETS MAKE LOVE... LETS GET VENGEANCE... NO VENGEANCE ISNT THE WAY... OH PLEASE, VENGEANCE IS ALWAYS THE WAY.OVERALL GOOD ACTION...BEN AFFLECK...GOOD ROMANCE... BEN AFFLECK...PRETTY GOOD PLOT...BEN AFFLECK...GOOD FIGHT SEQUENCES...BEN AFFLECK...NEED I SAY MORE. **** OUT OF *****
Rating: Summary: Good Movie Review: This movie was a lot better than i expected. Even if the movie was bad, it is worth watching to just see jennifer garner.
Rating: Summary: If you wanna puke go watch daredevil! Review: oh gosh where to started, this movie i can say was one of the worst movies i have ever seen. EVER. (except maybe Serendiptiy) but this movie was so dumb i cant explain it. it copies spiderman, and dredevil in the movie is supposedly doesnt have much money so he has all this hight tec stuff in his apartment. then when it is in the future suddenly he a a suit. where did it come from? nobody knows. Then the villians name is bulls eye. and gues what he has on his forehead? a bu8llseye, and what can he do good? throw bullseyes. how original. i will never EVER see this movie again and my jaw dropped when i saw the other reviews that this got. it was awful. save yourself and dont see this.
Rating: Summary: Daredevil? Review: First of all I am a fan of The Man With Out Fear. I was so excited when I heard that Daredevil was going to be made into a movie. With the latest string of superhero movies I expected great things...but then I saw this movie. I think casting was the first mistake.Ben He played it like "the Man Without Talent". He seemed too uncomfortable doing martial arts or anything physical in the movie, the fight seens looked too planned. And did it make sense for a Blind guy to fight a woman in the middle of a park for all to see if he's trying to keep his identity a secret? And another point is that by the end of the movie EVERYONE seemed to know who the Daredevil is except this own partner. Don't superheros know how to keep their secret identities secret anymore?? In the comics Daredevil's only real power is his supersenses. In the movie he was jumping off and over 20 story buildings with out getting hurt. He can't do that!! The only saving grace is Colin Farrel as Bullseye. He should have been Daredevil, he's such a better actor and would have made is so much beter. So, other than the bad acting, the terrible story, the ugly directing and total disregaurd of the real daredevil it may have been a good movie. too bad, so sad.
Rating: Summary: My Review Review: Colin Farrell and Jeniffer Garner make this movie immensley better, Ben Affleck does not. In fact, I'm not sure why he took this role, he obviously coulnd't do it. He was believable as this low key lawyer who was 'helpless' and blind going after this high profile high maintanence bigger than he is girl, but not as this cool leather wearing avenging super hero. Whatever I'm buying it anyway
Rating: Summary: Entertaining popcorn movie with lazy plotting Review: Hey, I'm not a big fan of Ben Affleck but he surprised even me. He made Daredevil work. Perhaps it's his devil-may-care attitude but his performance works in much the same way as Toby Maguire's did for Spidey. The film, though, isn another matter entirely. It's not a bad film. It's just not as well written as I would have expected. There are way too many coincidences (O.K., so coincidence is big in the comics but this is a movie folks). Still, Daredevil was enjoyable. The real surprise is Colin Farrell. He brings the paranoid Bullseye to life. He vamps and chews through scenery as if he's a possessed termite. His performance matches Affleck's surprisingly charming turn as THE MAN WITH NO FEAR. Writer/director Mark Steven Johnson manages to incorporate the origina story and Daredevil's conflict with Kingpin. I was rather pleasantly surprised at the casting of Michael Duncan Clarke as Kingpin. My main concern was whether or not his casting would be seen as racist (he is, after all, the King of crime). Clarke's impressive bulk allows him to square off well with the other actors. Although he doesn't quite have the acting chops of Affleck or Farrell, the size of his performance (as much as his size)allows him to sucessfully bring the character to life. While I appreciated Jennifer Garner's performance as Elektra, I didn't feel that she or Affleck had much chemistry on screen. Her character is a bit too passive in the beginning of the film but she makes a believable transition to Elektra. The DVD looks very good. The sound is also top-notch although I would have been curious to see what was left on the cutting room floor and whether or not it would have given this film added depth. Daredevil is entertaining but it could have been so much more. The second DVD will be of interest to comic book buffs who don't know a lot about Daredevil and his creation. While Daredevil initially appeared to be Stan Lee's knock off of his own Spiderman creation, the character eventually came into his own. What's most fascinating about Daredevil is own close he is to Batman. Beyond Daredevil's ability to see with his radar vision, he has little in common with the super powers of most of his Marvel bretheran. He's a physically talented crime fighter but really doesn't have any super powers comparable to Spidey. That everyman quality makes the character all the more interesting. His character is every bit Marvel's counterpart to Batman.
Rating: Summary: boring and silly saved only by the villains Review: Affleck has never been less convincing. Garner has never looked better, and the story was never very interesting. This film is redeemed by three things. Great sets, and two great villains. I so wanted to see Ben Affleck get whooped by both of the central villains-who were both terrific. Colin Farrel and the other villain (sorry, I don't know his name but he does lots of tv commercials) have fun-and when they are on the screen it is fun to watch. Unfortunately the camera focuses on Affleck and his inability to emote. Yawn, couldn't they just make Farrel's villain the main character so we can watch him beat up Affleck?
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