Originally Posted April 10, 2015
The first season of “Daredevil” dropped this morning on Netflix and it’s already my favorite incarnation in Marvel’s television and movie pantheon.
I’ve only watched one episode, but as a long-time fan of the source material, particularly Frank Miller’s run on the “Daredevil” comic back in the 80s, I can say that this is very true to the character.
Charlie Cox, who plays attorney Matt Murdoch, is perfectly cast in the title role. He’s got the daytime charm down, and can deliver the angst when it’s needed. Elden Henson as Murdoch’s law partner, and Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page are on target as well.
The writing is excellent. We’re spared the drawn-out origin story and given some real character development from the beginning. I’m excited to see the introspection and pacing in the first episode and hope that it carries on throughout the series. It has the potential to make Daredevil something special.
This is easily the darkest work we’ve seen from Marvel so far. It’s gritty. This universe feels dangerous and Daredevil feels exceptionally vulnerable.
The creators of “Daredevil” have infused the series with some moody and beautiful visuals. Some scenes are captured in the “Matrix” green cast and others cool blue. The night shots are particularly good and lit with strange yellow and purple lights.
It’s notable that in a series about a blind man the sound design is so damn good. They use sound to subtly explain how Daredevil can detect lying. Sound is an integral part of fight scenes.
Oh yeah, and the action scenes are brutal.
Scott Glenn, who plays martial arts master Stick said,
“Daredevil is probably the most stunt heavy TV series ever shot, and my character is kind of on the high-volume side of that. For me, almost everyday – challenge is too weak of a word – the demands of the part were to integrate blindness and be a marital arts master with the emotional life that’s going on at the same time. That was a lot of fun. I loved it!”
Since the series is on Netflix there are two other big advantages — no commercials, and the whole season is available right now.
That means that I’m going to have a busy weekend and I’m really looking forward to seeing Vincent D’Onofrio’s take on The Kingpin.
If you’ve seen “Daredevil” please leave me your thoughts in the comments below.
Dirk Hooper
Dirk Hooper is a professional writer who has done work for many high-profile online magazines, has won the Top Writer Award at Quora for the past two years, and a Moore Award for copywriting in 2017.