Nexus Wookie
Posts: 2247
Joined: 24/9/2011
From: the Godcity
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Daredevil Directors Cut (2005)
I recently read a Daredevil comic; Man Without Fear by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr. It was a really enjoyable read, infact I enjoyed it so much so I thought i'd give my old Daredevil film a spin on my DVD player.
In the process of watching it, I realised what an enjoyable comic book movie it is! In my opinion, it is a hugely underrated film. Now, it is important to note that I am writing about Daredevil Directors Cut, not the butchered theatrical cut. The difference between the two versions is vast, like a giant chasm between the two. Firstly, the whole plot involving the trial of Coolio had been taken out from the theatrical. This story line hugely improved the viewing of the film. It gives more insight into the character of Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson, not to mention some light comic relief mainly from Coolio! There were also scenes cut for the directors cut, like the love-making scene between Daredevil and Elektra (played by Jennifer Garner). In this version it revealed the character dynamic of Matt Murdock/Daredevil better as it shows him leaving Elektra in the middle of a romantic moment, due to his crime fighting call of duty. The directors cut is more violent and grittier, re-inserted scenes like The Kingpin breaking his bodyguards necks, helps to show what a vicious bastard he is. Also, *spoiler* when Elektra is stabbed by Bullseye, you see the blood dripping from her chest, not digitally erased as was the case in the theatrical cut.
As for the film itself, I loved the dynamic between Ben Affleck and Jon Favreau. The scene of them in the cafe, where Matt (Affleck) name checks Fightclub, after Foggy (Favreau) asks him how he hurt himself, is very funny.
Thanks to the comic, I also spotted certain things I did not know before on previous viewings. For example, Matt's father Jack Murdock who is a boxer, is asked by a baddie (The Fixer) he has to lose a fight, and take the cash like ' Miller, Mack and Bendis' a trio of names which is obviously a nod to previous writers and artists for Daredevil, namely Frank Miller, David Mack and Brian Bendis. Also the guy whom Jack fights is called 'John Romita' named or course, after the legendary comic artist.
There are scenes which are obvious influences from the comics. One thing I really would have loved to have seen in the film is the character of Stick; the mysterious man who trains the blind Matt Murdock as a boy. In the film we just see him training by himself.
Yes, there are a lot of faults in the film. Actually quite a bit. For instance, I'm not a big fan of Ben Affleck and felt he was miscast for the main role. However, after viewing the film for maybe the 10th time, i've realised that Affleck is not that bad. He is okay, just as Thomas Jane was okay for The Punisher. I loved Jon Favreau as Affleck's best buddy and verbal sparring partner, Foggy. He is a breath of fresh air, and his character is very warm and likeable. Colin Farrell as Bullseye was a match made in heaven! Somesay he overdid his acting, well my reply to that is its a fucking comic book film! We needed a villain who was rowdy, brash and loud after the relative calmness of arch villain The Kingpin. Some of his scenes are really funny, look at the scene where we first see him,pay attention to Farrell's eye's after he has stabbed the pub goer with paperclips; he looks fucking mental!! Other scenes of note include shooting a peanut and choking the bickering old woman on the plane - death by peanut! And my favourite; stabbing a fly with a syringe needle even as he lies strung up in the hospital bed, bandaged and bedridden, 'Bullesye' he murmurs with satisfaction! In my view, he is the REAL baddie! Certainly one of the most funniest! Also, he's so crazy he isnt afraid of anyone, even The Kingpin. Which brings me nicely onto Michael Clark Duncan as said villain. Now if you watch the theatricul version, then you can say he is miscast for the part of main villain. However, in the directors cut, due to scenes re-introduced showing him at his most ruthless, then Michael C. Duncan IS the right choice. What a difference a few scenes can make right?
Elektra played by Jennifer Garner may be a sultry vixen in the film, but her character was underwritten. You simply did not know too much about her to really root for her at the end. Nonetheless, she looks uber hot in that superhero get up, shame about her surname Natchios - it sound's like a 'Mexican appetiser'!
All in all, Dardevil directors cut is a really enjoyable film. I prefer this film over Spiderman. Spidey is too juvenile for my taste. Although the second film was very good. I hope Marvel could do a reboot of Daredevil, along with Ghostrider (also directed by Mark Steven Johnson). These two characters are really cool, fun and have a lot of potential.
When I first saw this film I thought it was a fairly average movie - nothing to write home about. But having watched it over the years, it has grown on me, and has now become a firm favourite.
Has anyone else seen the directors cut? What is your feeling on it? Feel free to share your thoughts. 
< Message edited by Nexus Wookie -- 4/9/2012 2:25:52 PM >
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