We readers are quite lucky to have a section in this site called fan-fic (short for fan fiction) where we are able to contribute our two-cents worth on cbms. It is through these sites that fans can pressure the studios into giving us the comic book story line and/or characters with almost the same depth as that of the source material.
Unfortunately though, not all comic books were successfully translated to critical or box office success. It was suggested that perhaps a different take on the comic, the character, the source material are all that is needed to make that leap from mediocrity to excellence. And that will be the main gist of my next contributions here.
I will try to review the comic book movie that did not do well in the eyes of a movie fan or in the eyes of a movie critic, and then give my own suggestion of a story line that can be incorporated in future endeavors. Source materials are indicated.
My Take on Daredevil (2003, 20th Century Fox)
Daredevil is one comic character whose past portrayal in the big screen (2003) has been viewed by many as subpar, thus reports have it that a reboot is well underway. I have chosen this character for my first comic book movie review and suggested storyline because I felt and I believed that the essence was there, but needs to make an improvement or two.
Some Impressions on the Film
The 2003 adaptation of the film Daredevil was loosely based on comic book: Daredevil: Guardian Devil and Daredevil: Man without Fear, written by Frank Miller. This was the fifth attempt by Marvel Comics to introduce characters lifted out from their franchise, through Marvel Enterprises (the others were Blade, X-men, Blade 2, and Spiderman).
Daredevil, as a character, can be likened to Batman of DC Comics. In a way, both characters are dark and brooding, even though Bruce Wayne does not have enhance powers, as Matt Murdock has. Their origins were somewhat similar: murder of parents right before their eyes (although in the film and comic, Murdock’s mother was never involved, as sources depict her to have been dead for long), their solemn vow to bring justice and fight crime, and their training (Bruce moved from place to place, seeking trainers around the globe, while Matt was trained by Stick, another blind person who is skillful in the art of hand to hand and weapons combat).
I was particularly awed by the superhuman senses Murdock acquired soon after he lost his sight. Although the character was fictional, martial artists often practice their skills while being blindfolded. The object was to help sharpen the rest of the senses to act like eyes in order to compensate for the loss of vision. In the film there was no mention of Stick training Murdock when he was a kid, of course for cinematic compactness. We can surmise then that his already enhanced sense of sound was further improved and senses of touch, hearing and taste were also boosted by the training.
There were two versions of the film. The first is the commerically released theatrical version that focused only on the origins of the character leading up to his confrontation with Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of crime. There were mixed reviews about the film. Rotten Tomatoes, a foremost movie critic site, only gave the film a 45% rating approval. Box office wise, Wikipedia reported that the film landed initially as a successful franchise but could not hold on to its lofty expectations and slowly plummeted down among the movie releases in 2003.
The second version was the director’s cut. It included a subplot involving the murder of Liza Tassio, a prostitute, by henchmen of Wesley Owen Welch, assistant of Fisk, and the framing of a known drug addict Duane played by rapper Coolio. This version focuses more on the other side of Murdock, as a lawyer, who uses his senses to prove his client’s innocence. This version got an R-Rating for depicting more violence, but critics praised this version as being more close and more loyal to the source material, as well as better character development for Murdock. It also was more of a detective story written well as a subplot.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Every film has its own strengths and weaknesses, more so, for a comic book adaptation which can be subject to scrutiny by the ardent comic book readers and followers. The film comes after the release of Marvel hits X-men and Spider-men, which made box office registers ringing.
The film has successfully introduced the audience to the realm of the vigilantism silhouetted and personified by Matt Murdock. As Daredevil, he was driven by his desire to mete out swift punishment of the guilty and the execution of justice which has often eluded the courts in the bustling but rotten Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Using his enhanced senses and training, he prowls the rooftops and alleyways, mostly at night, where the darkness favors him.
Ben Affleck’s portrayal of the lawyer cum crime fighter has been given mixed reviews that border between the extremes of perfection and mediocrity. He has successfully depicted the alienation that Murdock feels, being the blind lawyer from a rotten and decaying neighbourhood, often asking himself “can one man make a difference” as he continues his quest to serve justice in his chosen path. Negative reviews indicate his mediocrity with the kind of paleness in his facial expression (expressionless because he is acting as blind person), and some confident, brash and arrogant style which is trait known to most attorneys. But the more striking of the reviews for Affleck was for his role as the costumed hero. There should have distinct contrast between the lawyer and the devil as far as character is concerned. The voice was not changed, so a regular thug who is just off the street can recognize Daredevil as Murdock, simply by the voice. Although aided by computer graphics, the motions of Affleck were flat as the Man without Fear, in contrast with the swiftness and agility of the hero. His acting chops were clearly removed the moment he donned the red/maroon gear, which by the way looks like coming from a muddy race track.
His love interest, Elektra, was introduced in the film but there were no clear indication of what truly is her role apart from being the rose among the thorns, so to speak. Although the spin-off movie Elektra, tells of her tale as an assassin-for-hire which run parallel to what the comics depicted, I couldn’t see her introduction as a very important piece of the puzzle in which Daredevil is trying to solve. Jennifer Garner-Affleck portrayal is promising though, showing both deftness in her martial arts skills (moving with gymnastic skills using a pair of sais is quite difficult, ask Raphael of TMNT :D), as well as her emotions and acting abilities to show a transition from a carefree woman to a woman desperate for vengeance.
Bullseye (Colin Farrell) practically stole the limelight from Daredevil. Farrell easily portrayed the assassin so effortlessly it could be compared to Heath Ledger’s Joker or Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. No plethora of emotions seen in Farrell, only coolness and calculating, evident mania for perfection. The director made the right choice in Farrell, although was Bullseye an Irishman? Still the actor need not have a costume similar to the one in the comics, as his portrayal removed any doubt about his being Bullseye. Bar none!
Michael Clark Duncan’s Wilson Fisk, a.k.a Kingpin was greeted with more negative than positive reviews. For one thing, Fisk was white while Duncan was black. The choice however, was not because of his size, although it seemed rather the logical reason, but because Fisk is so influential that the director would like someone who also can intimidate and influence without being physical. Duncan of course, pins the role down with gusto. Fisk is powerful that he controls Hell’s Kitchen, playing an integral part in its current deteriorating look.
The fight choreography, aided by stunts and CGIs, was nothing short of phenomenal. My favourite was clearly the confrontation between Bullseye and Daredevil at the church. In the director’s cut, more actions were emphasized in the bar brawl and in the final battle between Kingpin and Murdock. The sound plays an integral part in the film, as the superhero relies on it in order to form his 'sonar sense'. Studios carefully worked on the sonar-sense which became referred to as "shadow world."
While sticking as close as possible to source material, however, one big problem of the film was the blandness of the script. Director Mark Steven Johnson created a screenplay initially praised by Marvel Executive Kevin Feige for its strong adherence to the character’s quest. However, when translated to film, so much of the darkness was seen, no light was expected. The audience had to view literally and figuratively in the dark. Too many underlining elements were either drastically removed or were never included.
For example, Murdock was trained by Stick, but no mention was given on this account. The accident that cost him his eyesight was not only because of a wayward truck full of radioactive waste, but also because young Matt pushed an old person out of the way of the truck. Scientifically, if radioactive material hits your eyes, why shouldn’t your face get splashed on as well?
The script being bland, actors had to make do with what they have. Affleck understands the role quite well, being a fanboy himself. But Johnson did not. It was learned that originally, Harry Potter 1 and 2 helmer Chris Columbus was to direct the film. He has more of an understanding of how characters can be developed from books and successfully translate them to film. There was no clear direction for the franchise, a one-shot deal, although reports from Wikipedia indicate that Johnson was interested to come back for a possible sequel.
I watched the film carefully, many times in the commercially available theatrical versions, and twice the director’s cut and I find that the dialogues can bemuse you or make you lose your desire to continue watching the film. Were it not for the witty liners posed by Franklin Nelson (Iron Man Jon Favreau) as well as solid performance from veterans Joe Pantoliano as reporter Ben Urich, David Keith as Jack Murdock and even young Scott Terra as Matt, the dryness could have cloaked an otherwise gripping storyline, and leaves us not to dare the darkness again.
Man without Future?
Before Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the Daredevil film from 2oth Century Fox, thespian David Slade was tasked to take helm for a Daredevil reboot. As a budding writer I tried to re-imagine the whole comic series and my conclusion, the franchise should be given a sequel, not a reboot. Daredevil origins remain true (to a fault) to the comics, and was close as it can be to the source material; the franchise simply needs a follow-up.
In my next article, I shall include a story line for the sequel, loosly based on the acclaimed comic books Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller, and Daredevil Yellow stories, fusing them with suggested cinematic changes, new subplots and introduce new characters.
In the meantime, the waiting continues...
Thank you for the time! More power to all!
Excerpts from this article was posted previously by the author in his private blog http://bronzetigermokinabox.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-take-on-daredevil-man-without-fear.html
Thanks to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daredevil_(Marvel_Comics) and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daredevil_(film) for the background information