Daredevil

I believe the intended message of this film is that violence is no solution ... to anything. Unfortunately, there is so much violence in the film, that any such message is obliterated. Some small modicum of non-violence is retrieved briefly, if you watch carefully at the end, when our hero spares an enemy from death and utters, Im not the bad guy. Even then, his motivation for this change is what other people think of him, not any deep personal discovery of values.

Another great flaw in this story is a protagonist who is vindictive, mean and unforgiving. Its impossible for me to identify with a hero who has no compassion. I liked Superman (1978, 1980, 1983), Batman (1989, 1992, 1995, 1997), Spider-Man (2002), Dick Tracy (1990) and even the Shadow (1995), but Daredevil (2003) was too painful and no fun.

The storyline structure and logic also has holes. A flashback scenario is used for the first scene when it isnt necessary. Its only confusing. The protagonist is blinded as a child and develops extraordinary ability with his other senses. Okay, but how did he suddenly get to be a martial arts master with lightning reflexes? And why is he suddenly able to defy gravity? He has a connection with a Catholic priest. How did that happen? He sleeps in coffin bath gizmo. Why? None of these things are explained in the film.

It is an action film and there is action to watch as long as you dont think about whats happening. Ang Lee also used marital arts with wires in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) so that technology alone is not enough. For me, the visual imagery that Daredevil creates for himself using sound was the most interesting thing in the film.

Ben Affleck plays Daredevil. I saw him in The Sum of All Fears (2002), Pearl Harbor (2001) and a few other films. Afflecks twenty-year career includes about 40 TV and film roles. He and his brother Casey and a friend Matt wrote the screenplay Good Will Hunting (1997). Affleck also played the part of Chuckie.

Jennifer Garner plays Elektra and her nine years of ballet training show in her martial art scenes. Her role in this film mimics the famous Electra In Aeschyluss tragedy Oresteia as well as the play and film it spawned, Mourning Becomes Electra (1947). Her eight-year career includes roles in Pearl Harbor (2001) and Catch Me if You Can (2002). She seems to be a rising star.

I liked Colin Farrel who plays Bullseye, a real crazy. I didnt even recognize him in this role and I have seen him in both Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000) and Minority Report (2002).

I also liked Michael Clarke Duncan who plays Kingpin. Hes a great bad guy. But I also thought he did a wonderful prisoner in The Green Mile (1999).

Reviewed August 24, 2003