Daredevil
2003  PG-13  ACTION  1h 43min
CAST— Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Michael Clark Duncan, Colin Farrell, Joe Pantoliano, Jon Favreau, David Keith
MUSIC— Graeme Revell  DIRECTOR— Mark Steven Johnson  BASED ON— Characters appearing in Marvel Comics

     By day: Matt Murdock, blind attorney. By night: Daredevil, fearless vigilante. Ben Affleck plays the title hero in this surprisingly emotional and thrilling superhero film. After losing his sight in a chemical accident, young Matt discovers that all of his other senses have been heightened, giving him a sort of radar-sense. Now, all grown up, he dons his red cowl and stalks the night protecting the innocent in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. But it’s not easy: He falls in love with a woman who thinks that he murdered her father, while trying to protect her (and himself) from a deadly assassin named Bullseye sent by the infamous Kingpin of crime. This is not your average teen superhero movie. This is not Spider-Man (2002). Or even Batman (1989). With a very mature plot and, as previously mentioned, very emotional themes, this one comes out as a definite winner. Gripping from credits to credits. Michael Clark Duncan is a standout, perfect as Kingpin. R-rated director’s cut also available. Followed by a spin-off, Elektra (2005). Razzie-winner for Worst Actor (Affleck, awarded jointly for Gigli [2003] and Paycheck [2003]).
OUR RATING— *** ½
FOLLOWED BY— Elektra (2005)