Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix looks set to be the new superhero series to beat, giving
Arrow and The Flash quite a run for their vigilante money.
Forget 2003’s Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck, which mixed po-faced melodrama with
cheesy cartoony elements.
This new Daredevil series is an entirely different beast and takes Marvel into darker, grittier
territory than we’ve seen before while still firmly locating the world of our new small-screen
superhero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With 13 episodes of about 50 minutes each to play with, Daredevil takes an enjoyably
slow-build approach to introducing us to Matt Murdock, a brilliant blind lawyer by day and
a violent masked vigilante by night.
Through a series of flashbacks cleverly integrated into Murdock’s present-day story, we find
out how he came to be a street-level hero with enhanced senses, a vigilante on a mission
to save his city.
The show has a feeling of realism that’s due to many things: there’s the performances
of the actors themselves, there’s the Hell’s Kitchen setting and New York filming locations,
there’s how the fight scenes are staged, and there’s the way the writers gradually
build up the layers of these characters and their stories.
And then there’s the show’s darkness, both in terms of its appearance and its attitude.
Even the series’ opening credits look like they’re dripping blood.
Murdock lives in the deliberately murky-looking neighbourhood of Hell’s Kitchen in a New
York City still dealing with the aftermath of the Avengers’ first assembly.
There’s a feeling of film noir in the playful use of shadows in the show, and a distinct
air of 1970s American movies like Taxi Driver in the its grounded grittiness.
And that edginess extends to the script and its unflinching commitment not to shy away
from the intense and, at times, brutal nature of Murdock’s story.
From what I’ve seen of the series so far, Murdock’s Daredevil doesn’t shrink from
violence or meting out justice as he feels fit.
Imagine the Oliver Queen we met in Season 1 of Arrow on steroids!
Among those who deserve credit for Daredevil’s quite daring tone are executive producer Drew
Goddard, who very much sets the mood with his writing on the first two episodes, showrunner
Steven DeKnight, and the series’ cinematographer Matthew Lloyd.
As for the cast, Charlie Cox puts in a pitch-perfect performance as both super-smart and super-charming
lawyer Matt Murdock, and his kick-ass, power-punching alter-ego Daredevil, whose initial black costume
fits well with the show’s dark themes.
Elden Henson brings a real likeability to Foggy, who’s Murdock’s friend and partner-in-law,
and he also adds a nice line in humour, throwing some light among the show’s shadows.
Plus, there’s a lovely, natural chemistry between Henson’s Foggy and True Blood star
Deborah Ann Woll, who plays their first client, Karen Page.
As nurse Claire Temple, Rosario Dawson’s time on the show is certainly off to an interesting
start.
And Vincent D’Onofrio’s turn as shadowy businessman Wilson Fisk is nicely understated,
with an ever-present hint of danger.
While Toby Leonard Moore hits all the right notes as Fisk’s right-hand man, Wesley.
And Vondie Curtis-Hall is totally convincing as old-fashioned newspaper journalist Ben,
who wants to unearth stories that make a difference.
And if it’s action you’re after, you certainly won’t be disappointed with Daredevil.
There are plenty of amazing fight scenes, which mix down-and-dirty brawling with martial
arts influences to great effect.
The show’s stunt team, including stunt and fight co-ordinator Philip J Silvera, really
have done a superb job.
Oh, and listen out for the sound during those fights – it's bone-crunchingly intense!
After watching the first five episodes of Daredevil, I cannot wait to watch the rest!
And I’m now even more excited to see the other street-level hero series that Marvel’s
got up its sleeve, including AKA Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage; all of whose main
characters will team up with Daredevil in The Defenders.
Lots to look forward to!
So, to sum up: Daredevil is a delectably dark dive into the world of Marvel’s popular
street-level hero.
Combining an incredible cast and awesome stunts with a smart slow-burn script, the series
shows that justice can be both blind and bloody.
Daredevil gets 4.5 out of 5 Flicks.
When you’ve seen Daredevil, tell me what you think of the show.
How excited are you for Marvel’s upcoming TV shows AKA Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and
Iron Fist?
And who’s your favourite superhero on the big or small screen & why?
Let me know in the comments below!
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Thanks for watching and see ya next time.
Yippee-ki-yay, superhero lovers!