Arnold
CibbuanoDaredevil
September 1st 2006 13:40
Daredevil (2003)
It seems that we can't go a couple of weeks without a comic-book film being released these days. Not that I'm complaining; some of the most entertaining and fun films I've ever seen have been based on comics. But (oh yes, there's a 'but'), as Daredevil proves, the formula can get tired pretty quickly.
Basically, Daredevil is your dark, conflicted superhero in, say, your Michael Keaton-Batman mould, with the added distinction of being blind. The film tries to follow Daredevil's quest for revenge against local crime-lord Kingpin but gets fairly lost along the way.
Firstly, my main problem was that our hero was too indistinct. I'm not saying that his character was off or vague or anything like that, I just think the director/writers should have been mindful of this being released so close to Spiderman, as Daredevil seems to do a lot of jumping around (complete with spider webs... sorry, grappling hook) ala Spidey. I'm not saying that he shouldn't jump around, I just think that he needed to have a more distinct style of his own in terms of visual effects and direction.
My second problem is that the plot is a complete mess. They try to play out this whole "Am I the hero? Am I the villain?" morality-questioning thing, but it's done so half-arsed that they may as well have not bothered. Daredevil's quest for revenge (and inevitable love interest) appears and disappears throughout with just as much verve (or lack thereof).
Ben Affleck does a fairly good job with what he's got, doing some convincing blind-guy-schtick when it's called for. But Colin Farrell is embarrassingly over-the-top as Bullseye and Michael Clarke Duncan is far too jolly for his role as chief villain.
It's not a complete loss. It looks good, and there are a few interesting facets to keep you interested (Daredevil's radar vision for example), but it's all rather cliched and undeveloped.
HIGHLIGHTS: As mentioned, the radar vision is fun to watch. Also, Jon Favreau steals most scenes as the inevitable wise-cracking sidekick. Oh, and look out for Kevin Smith and Stan Lee in cameos.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I love the comics, but just couldnt sit through this. I tried but it was just so boring. The action was dull and the script, comedic in all the wrong places.
Ben Affleck is good in Kevin Smith films and Dazed and Confused, but outside that I havent seen anything with him in it that doesnt have him looking like an actor off days of our Lives. Forced, artificial and he even has that mongoloid jaw line.
Colin Farrel showed so much promise with the War Zone and Tigerland, but until The new World completly squandered it. Bulls eye is a character he should truly be ashamed of.
Jennifer Garner is fine till she opens her pouty mouth, then she gives Affleck a run inteh wooden stakes. (I mean the kind that get driven straight through a vampires heart)
Sometimes it theraputic to put down others who have made crap films when I myself still struggle to get one off the ground. karma is going to be a bitch.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
What sort of movie are you trying to make?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD