Daredevil (PG-13)

Note: This is the review that got me noticed. Originally posted on a message board, Lee Wilson (Editor @ GCM)had the wisdom to make an offer I couldn't refuse and so began my days as a film critic.

At first glance, DD might seem like a testosterone-laden, adrenaline-pumping, ride-of-your-life kind of flick. Sure, it’s all that and a bag of chips, but don’t flop down your eight bucks expecting Batman or Spiderman. DD ain’t no Superman, that’s for sure. DD is a superhero comic-book film unlike its predecessors in many ways. All the fundamental elements of a hero are here: a little paternal conflict syndrome, a minor mishap involving bio-chemicals, a startling discovery of special abilities, and (of course) a dash of childhood trauma to catalyze the burning desire to provide justice for the downtrodden and the make the world (or Hell’s Kitchen in New York as the case may be) a safer place. Originality can seldom be found when tracing the origin of any comic-book hero.

After the end of the first act, things start to deviate from the norm and you quickly realize that this flick’s got something the most of the aforementioned films do not—heart. DD is as emotional as it is action-packed and that, my friends, makes it something really special. This isn’t the “feel-good movie of the year” by any stretch; the tone is dark and ominous and the story will tear at your heartstrings several times before the credits roll. Is this a chick-flick concealed by its dare-devilish disguise? Wife thinks so. There’s much more to this story than the trailer’s let on.

 Ben Affleck hasn’t acted this well since Chasing Amy. Normally, Affleck relies on his good looks and charming eyes, but as Matt Murdock, everything takes place elsewhere and he pulls it off without hamming it up. He nails this part.
 Jennifer Garner is moving and mesmerizing and enchanting and… well, you get the idea. Aside from Affleck, none of the characters are really typecast to their comic artistic counterpart. Several of my comic-geek buddies protested casting choices down the line as buzz circulated about this film. I felt Michael Clarke Duncan was also an excellent choice as Kingpin (even though the comic book villain is white.) Colin Farrell gets to use his hometown accent in this movie and delivers Bullseye right on target. Even the character casting, that includes “The Great” Joe Pantoliano, “Tons-of-fun” Kevin Smith, and Jon Favreau as Murdock’s partner and friend Foggy Nelson, adds to this movie’s spirit.

The plot strays from comic lore where I think it should for cinematic purposes, but it is obvious that the director has taken great care to remain true to the DD comic—even in certain places you’d rather he not. The dialogue isn’t trite, which is the tendency for this genre and the special effects are incredible, offering us a glimpse inside DD’s mind. Most of all, the sound in this movie is phenomenal. Make sure your theater has digital sound. If this movie is not nominated for an Oscar in sound next year, it will be crime.

Do not take your young child to see this film. DD has earned its PG-13 rating. People die. People die violently… even at the hands of our “hero.” Most of the violence is cartoon-like, but the actual killings are not. As Barb mentioned, there is but one sexual scene, carefully blocked. There is only one curse word of dialogue, uttered by Mister Kevin Smith, but there is one song on the soundtrack heavily laden with profanities throughout one scene.

I give this flick my highest rating: Hot Date—this one’s worth paying full price for yourself, your date, a bucket of popcorn, and a couple of cokes.