So I finished Netflix original series Daredevil, the Netflix exclusive series which spins off the Daredevil franchise. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the first in a series of shows that will lead up to a Defenders crossover miniseries.Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, a lawyer-by-day who fights crime at night. The series chronicles the character’s early days fighting crime, juxtaposed with the rise of crime lord Wilson Fisk, played by Vincent D’Onofrio.
The plot is great, it references slightly the other Marvel films and shows but not so heavily that you feel like you had to watch Marvel programs. So this allows the layman to pick up the series, something that I am not, but I can see the making it more popular. Great casting, Charilie Cox makes a convincing Matt Murdock, as this charming blind man who is hiding a great plain sight. Vincent D’Onofrio is a brilliant Fisk. He manages to play on the line of insane and genius whilst also playing the soft side that is part of his complex character. The supporting cast is also great. I like the fact that the plot focus more on the beginning rather than just throwing you into the story like the film did.We’re constantly getting non-linear flashbacks and dialogue that reveal both exposition plot information and psychological character development. We get to know these characters deeply over time, and that makes us care about them. As we learn more about them, the major arc in the present becomes infused with stronger meaning.
Another aspect is that it doesn’t make a lot of reference to the fact it is set in the Marvel Universe allowing you to forget the fact this is a comic book based story. The fact that the program also has a heavy amount of grit. The dark aspect in firstly the plot adds to this anti-hero character who beats the villains to the inch of their life. But also the cinematic darkness of the setting of Hells Kitchen which is a dangerous, crime ridden place, where murder and mugging go un stopped until now. The fact that this program use it platform so well is another great factor of the program, using the fact it is not a movie to expand the story. But also taking advantage of the Netflix platform to give it the graphic realism of the Daredevil comic books.
Some of the problems with are that firstly, although greatly acted by Vincent D’Onofrio the way that he talks as the character is slightly unsettling at first, but this is due to a lack of dialogue. It is a bit like the Superman kryptonite speech.The biggest irritation for me out of a very good series was that it took to long for the famous red suit, you had till the last episode for it, but you knew it was coming. This is all very well but the costume building was set up start so early on it made you wonder why it was taking so long. That became a bit frustrating. But one could argue that this is the part that the fact it is a “TV show” and not a movie so that is why time is not a big factor so ti could use the time better than a film. The other factor that one should take on board is this is a set up to a big idea so it all about backstory and not about Daredevil the complete character.
But I would say this is defiantly worth the watch, it’s not long in episode number and a second series has been confirmed.
Anyway till next time..
Stew'ing over it 