Daredevil:Lost in the Shuffle

When it comes to movies based on comic books one thinks of Marvel. Why shouldn't they? They're in the midst of a very successful streak of hit movies. This wasn't always the case. In fact for decades when it came to success on the big screen its rival DC was the clear winner. But this success is misleading. It was all achieved with its two flagship characters of Superman and Batman. Movies made with other DC characters have failed. In the midst of DC's movie success big screen success for Marvel proved to be elusive. Two movies based on two of their more popular characters (The Punisher and Capt. American) barley got released. Then fortune smiled on Marvel. DC's streak of hit movies hit a snag when both the Superman series and the Batman series ground to halt after 4 movies a piece (I'm obviously not counting the Batman movie based on the tv show). Then in the late 90's (1998) Marvel enjoyed its first big screen success. It came from an unlikely source. The hit movie was based on a little known character named Blade whose half-human/half-vampire and Afro-American. The movie did have a huge asset; its star was Wesley Snipes. The movie spawned two sequels. From there more success followed. The X-Men series, the Spider-Man series, the Fantastic Four series, and Ironman which is going to become a series. With success came some disappointments (2 Hulk Movies) and some failures (2 Punisher movies and Ghost Rider). In the midst of this success a film based on a somewhat lesser known character was released and it has never gotten the credit it has deserved. The movie was Daredevil. Daredevil is an unlikely superhero for two reasons-he's blind and he doesn't have what one would consider normal superpowers. You see he wasn't born blind but got this way as result of some nuclear waste being spilled on his eyes. This causes his remaining senses to be heighten. From there he builds his body up to that of a great athlete's. The movie showcases this with many action sequences. The movie also features great cinematography and cgi. The acting is pretty stellar across the board. This starts with Scott Terra as young Matt Murdock and David Keith as his father Jack Murdock. They are able to establish a convincing relationship as father and son. Its a tribute to their talent that despite their brief amount of time they leave an impact on the viewer. When Terra goes blind but discover his heighten remaining senses allow him to do more his joy at this discovery is palpable. As for Keith he works wonders as the doomed Jack Murdock. You shouldn't like the guy because he won't allow his son to defend himself from bullies and is indirectly responsible for his going blind. The son hears from the bullies that his dad is working for a mob boss know as Fallon. Not believing them and having it denied by his father he discovers otherwise. He sees his father shaking down a man at some docks. While fleeing the scene he suffers his accident. Jack Murdock makhes it up to son by refusing to throw a fight Fallon wants him to throw and wins the fight. As result he is killed by the film's main villain the Kingpin. Additional kudos to three of film's main characters. Jennifer Garner is fetching, charming, and suitable athletic as Elektra Natchios. Her meet cute scene with Matt Murdock which starts in a coffee shop and ends at school play ground and involves see-saws is charming and romantic. Her athleticism serves her well in her fight scenes. Colin Farrell manages to bring menace, "fun", and "magic" (his words) to role of the villain Bullseye. Plus any villain who main motivation for hating the hero is "because he made me miss and I never miss" is refreshing. Then there's Michael Clarke Duncan as the Kingpin (aka Wilson Fisk). I knew he could be menacing; just look at the size of him. I knew he had pretty good acting range (his Oscar nomination for the "Green Mile" and his comedic turn in the "Whole Nine Yards") demonstrate that. I did not think that he could pull off the necessary sophistication to be believable as the Kingpin of crime for New York City. This trait he wears like one of the custom made suits his character wears. I also want to give a shout out to Joe Pantoliano who gives another of his stellar performances as investigative reporter Ben Urich. There is a somewhat major problem with the movie. It stems from the actor playing the lead role. Ben Affleck is very adapt in the action sequences and anything involving comedy (aided in this capability considerably by Jon Favreau playing Matt Murdock's law partner Franklin "Foggy" Nelson. Farvreau is an absolute delight in the role.) He has very good chemistry with Garner which transcended the big screen and bled over into real life. They are married with two daughters. No his problem stems from the fact he doesn't posses the necessary acting chops for the role. This is a man who has lost both his parents, his sight, and eventually will lose his girlfriend (or so we'll led to believe). Yet you would never know it. He never shows it on his face or in his body language. Terra as young Matt Murdock does show it. I feel a better choice would have been his "BFF" Matt Damon. He looks almost exactly like the character as it drawn, we know he can handle the action (thanks to the Bourne movies), ditto with the romance and he has the acting chops. However this deficiency is almost paper overed by the fact that in practically every scene Affleck's in so is one or more of the other characters. Unfortunately the film did not do well with the critics. According to Rotten Tomatoes, a movie review database, only 44% of film critics gave it a favorable review. It did good at the box office with a gross $102,543,518. There was talk of a sequel but instead there was a spin off for Elektra which didn't do anything at the box office ($24,407,944 on a budget of $43 million) or with the critics (according to Rotten Tomatoes only 10% of critics gave it a favorable review.) There's also been talk of been talk of a reboot. That means new actors and crew for different take on the character. Its shame there wasn't a sequel and I hope there's not a reboot. The film takes on the tricky task of combining an origin story with action, romance, and comedy and makes it look easy. The film does what all good entertainment does it leaves you wanting more.