In the Marvel Comics Universe, Daredevil is hardly a household name. Sure, he”s unique in probably being the world”s only blind superhero, but after a famously terrible Ben Affleck movie in 2003, no one thought much of the character.
Now, Netflix sees to remedy that with “Daredevil,” a dark and gritty rendition of the character set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
But does it successfully relight the character and create an entertaining series on top of that? I”m happy to say that the answer is yes.
Bradley Burgess
Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) was blinded as a child and left with his other senses superhumanly enhanced.
Now working as a lawyer with his college pal Foggy (Elden Henson), Matt uses his abilities to sense when his clients are lying or telling the truth. Matt and Foggy”s first case is to defend Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), a receptionist accused of murder after she discovers her company”s dirty dealings. As Matt, Foggy and Karen investigate, they discover a mysterious crime lord who has the city in his pocket, causing Matt to go rogue as a vigilante to bring him to justice.
The first thing you”ll notice about “Daredevil” is that it is nothing like a conventional superhero show. This series is dark, violent and focused on the consequences of every character”s actions. It”s a big gamble for the traditionally whambam-thank-you-ma”am Marvel Studios to invest in a crime drama, but it pays off here, mostly because this series presents a unique perspective on typical crime tropes. For example, the mastermind behind the criminal operations, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D”Onofrio), gets a sympathetic backstory and more insight then is typically offered in a show of any genre.
The series is also brilliantly and meticulously thought out. Every action in the series affects everything that follows in coming episodes. There are tons of shocking twists and major character deaths to keep even the most hardened viewer interested. You cannot say that you know what will happen in every episode. The show”s dramatic moments are legitimately intense and merit good discussion. The effort that goes into every aspect of this show oozes off the screen and viewers will appreciate it.
There”s very little – if anything – to complain about with “Daredevil.” Whether you”re a fan of the comics or someone looking for great drama, this show should be on your list. It”s one of the most gripping, creative and edgy shows on TV right now. The yearlong wait for next season is going to be murder.
Bradley Burgess can be reached at [email protected]