Movie Defense Force: Daredevil

[Flatfrog]

As someone who knew next to nothing about the character coming in to the film, I thought it was, well, OK. I certainly couldn't understand why people thought it was so terrible, but it didn't really make an impression on me either way. Oddly, I remember liking the Elektra spin-off much more.

I think most of the problem is just that people couldn't get rid of the Ben Affleck baggage. At the time, he and Matt Damon were these wunderkinds who had turned up and taken Hollywood by storm, but they still had that young pup image (it's hard to remember a time before Bourne when the idea of Matt Damon as an action hero was crazy). So people had real trouble taking Affleck seriously. But there was really nothing wrong with his performance and I agree with MovieBob's opinion that he could genuinely be a really good Batman.

 

[StriderShinryu]

Too subdued an atmosphere for larger then life characters, rampant abuse of CGI, altogether unsatisfying climax and lead to the spin-off Electra. I call that the Failtastic Four. (BTW you have to review that now).

Still none that was Affleck's fault, I just hate seeing him do dark and brooding again. More Sam Raimi and less Chris Nolan.

My thoughts as well. I actually didn't think DareDevil was all that bad, but the flaws it did have were pretty much not at all due to Affleck's acting or his involvement with the movie. It's rather frustrating when so much of the Affleck as Batman hate comes down to "But he was in DareDevil and that movie sucked!" when he didn't have anything to do with the failings of DareDevil the movie. If you don't like Affleck for whatever reason, that's cool, but at least come up with reasons that make sense.

 

[IronMit]

I enjoyed the film, but it's been 8 years since last viewing and my tastes have changed.
Got a hold of the directors cut (supposedly better) so will need to watch it to confirm it's awesomeness.

Another film (most people disliked) I loved was The Punisher - Thomas Jane, John Travolta

These graphic novel/comic book movies have their own identity and unique tone.
Unlike Thor, captain america, green lantern, amazing spiderman, even xmen. which seem to follow a standard formula.

except xmen first class- at least that had feels

 

[PiercedMonk]

I notice Jim doesn't mention Jennifer Garner in her turn as Elektra at all. Which is completely reasonable, because Jennifer Garner was easily the worst casting decision in the film. Not because I think she's a bad actor -- she's not -- but she was just really poorly suited to the role. It doesn't help that Elektra was so bizarrely written. "Hey, a blind dude's hitting on me; guess I should beat him up in front of a playground full of children." What?

Still, 'Daredevil' is a fun movie. Especially the director's cut.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I don't think I've seen this movie, at least not in it's entirety. I'm not overly familiar with the source material either so I can't really comment on it either way.

 

[PunkRex]

I never got why peeps hated this film so much, it was one of my favourite Super-Hero films when I was younger. As you said, the atmosphere was stylish and the acting was good, especially Duncan.

Also, dat sound track, Evanescence and Drowning Pool feat Rob Zombie!


Electra on the other hand... *groan*

 

[Vzzdak]

The problem with the Daredevil film was the theatrical release, which cut out so many key plot details (to reduce running time) that they essentially reduced its rating by "a star," so to speak.

For anyone that hasn't seen this film, then they *definitely* want to see the "Director's Cut" version. The commentary for this version is worthwhile as well because it elaborates about how they were seeking to convey the character growth of the Matt Murdock character.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

I've never seen it before, but it certainly doesn't look that bad. I hear people talk about it in the same breath that they talk about Steel and Catwoman in, and I reckon that's very probably unfair...

...this is the part where you defend Steel and Catwoman isn't it?

 

[Callate]

In fairness, what I remember about Daredevil was not "god, that movie sucked" or even "Ben Affleck was miscast/ did a terrible job."

What I remember was "Christ, that's got to be the grimmest and most violent PG-13 movie I've ever seen in my life."

Until I saw Les Mis, the "grimmest" part at least would have stood.

 

[vid87]

I think my main problems with it were:

A)The soundtrack and overall production design focused too much on angst.

B)Electra's motivation for hating DD is a bit ridiculous.

 

[daxterx2005]

having never seen this film, you just persuaded me to watch it with this review.
Thanks, Jim.

 

[Warachia]

Max Payne next! That movie needs recognition as a fine videogame movie.

That movie is the video game in name only, the characters are their characters in name only, on its own merits I don't think it's too bad, but it certainly has nothing to do with the game.

 

[Baldry]

I only just watched this film the other day and I've gotta say...It's god awful. Seriously one of the worst films I've ever watched, sure a lot of the actors are good in their role, the casting of Bullseye and Kingpin are brill even if Bullseye does look like a gimp. Also it does kinda miss the point with Daredevil on some bits, like how he kills a man and then signs his name with fire...No Daredevil wouldn't do that, he doesn't kill and he's certainly not showy, he's a street hero. He'll cripple people all fine and dandy but he won't be flashy about it. Also how come once blind he can instantly do parkour and kung fu. They miss the training, the years of prep'. Nope, screw that, instant mad sick skills. Also his interactions with Foggy seem a bit off to me.
More problems with the actual film instead of the depictions of characters the soundtrack's all wrong and it just seems poorly paced and honestly I can not remember the plot at all, was there even a plot, the cgi's kinda shoddy but I'll let that slide due to tech limitations.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I thought I was entering this thread to be unique and say that I quite liked Daredevil. But... most of the thread did that. So apparently I'm not the unique flower I was expecting to be.

But yeah, I thought Ben Affleck was quite good in the film. I liked pretty much everything about the film...

Except for the Fridging of Electra.

I don't know or care if it happened in the comics; it was absolutely unnecessary to kill her off that way in the movie. Her death only serves to further Daredevil's story, which is the definition of "woman in the fridge". And it is pointlessly dark for the sake of being dark.

Okay. I've been wanting to ***** about that for a decade or so. I feel better now.

 

[Strain42]

I didn't like Daredevil when I saw it. I wouldn't like it if I watched it now.

EXCEPT

The Director's Cut. The additional storyline really added an extra layer to the movie that took me by surprise. The Director's Cut of Daredevil honestly opened me up to believing other director's cuts might be just as good.

...then I saw the Green Lantern one and now I just don't know what to believe.

 

[shrekfan246]

I remember seeing this like five years ago. People made it out to be complete shit, but it was alright.

Speaking of complete shit, Jim, please do Batman and Robin one of these days. That movie is glorious and amazing and hilarious and could use a good defending.

Seconded on both accounts. The whole "Batfleck" thing caused me to state that I liked Daredevil just the other day, actually.

And I've long held the stance that I think Batman & Robin is a legitimately good film, if not for the express reasons that anyone involved in the actual production of it intended... but it always struck me as something of a middle point between the grimdark Gothic-inspired Burton Batman and the overly campy, silly Adam West Batman, that managed to stride the line remarkably well considering how often Forever stumbled off to one side or the other while trying to same balancing act. Sure, it might not be faithful to the comics or even portray any of the Batman characters particularly well, but it's hilarious, fun to watch, and has Schwarzenegger dropping ice puns like they were hot. Plus, as bad of a Batman as he might have been, Clooney at least has more stage presence than Val "Cardboard Cutout" Kilmer.

 

[Mr. Q]

I have yet to see the director's cut of Daredevil, but I can say from the theatrical release that its so so. The CGI was overused and awful, the script was rather subpar, and it went a bit too dark with certain moments (when DD killed the crook in the subway scene). However, the actors, including Ben Affleck and the late Michael Clarke Duncan, do the best with what they got and its a movie worth watching if only once or twice.

As for Ben pulling off Batman, that has yet to be seen. But, as I mentioned before, the fact that the people behind Man of Steel are still running this ship does not make me feel confident in its direction. Maybe Snyder will learn his lesson and perhaps get some advice from Affleck since he's got some directorial experience in the drama department. Again, we shall see.