Daredevil (TV Review) - Justice Is Blind

Netflix's Daredevil provides a refreshingly unique spin on the superhero genre: It takes the 'super' out of the word entirely. Well - for the most part. That's not to say it isn't an awesome show which you should definitely check out the instant you stop reading this. No, what I mean is that it chooses to ignore the overly-dramatic storylines and constant happy endings; instead opting for a much more down-to-earth approach. 

Unlike most Marvel (and DC, for that matter) properties, this Daredevil TV show commissioned by Netflix rejects the notion that all introductions to a character have to begin at square one, and show a basic origin-story. Episode 1 begins with lawyer Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) already fighting crime in the dead of night, following a tragic childhood accident that left him permanently blind. Instead of losing all will to live, Matt chose instead to hone his skills and play with the cards he was dealt, training his senses to literal super-human capacity. When he's not incapacitating bad guys, Murdock works alongside long-time friend Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), bringing down criminals in a more 'traditional' sense. After all, justice is blind. 

As the series progresses, we get to see Matt's gradual progression as a vigilante. After a few initial beatings, he's quickly able to dispatch entire rooms of foes in quick succession, usually only suffering a few blows of his own. A sequence at the end of the second episode shows just how perfectly some of this action is captured, with a fight scene that seems uncannily reminiscent of the iconic 'Corridor Fight' in Korean classic Oldboy - complete with a single, unbroken tracking shot. There's several moments like this littered throughout Daredevil: amazing set-pieces shown in a style that rivals a lot of what you'd see at a cinema. 

But how could we have a superhero without an equally iconic villain? Like the choice to call 'Daredevil' Matt Murdock throughout the series, the infamous 'Kingpin' is referred to throughout this 13-episode drama by his real name: Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio). Fisk isn't your typical villain, in that he actually possesses an human personality, along with real, complex emotions. Marvel could have quite easily made him nothing more than a sinister, lumbering foe for Matt to go up against, but we're instead gradually introduced to Fisk through hushed conversations and hesitant glances. Hell, initially he's only referred to as "my employer"; leaving you wondering in desperation as to what a man must be like to strike so much fear into the hearts of his enemies. Once we do get to meet the man himself, the character certainly isn't squandered. Fisk is just as complex a man as our hero Matt, and his awkward nature is rivalled only by his furious temper and scarily violent tendencies. Once you've seen a man decapitate somebody with a car door, it's hard to consider him human, and yet Daredevil somehow accomplishes this. Of course, you'd never cheer for him, but you begin to develop a certain empathy towards Fisk's troubled mind, and - though it sounds crazy - you find yourself understanding some of his brutal outbursts. It's definitely not a show for the faint of heart, but Daredevil's shocking violence doesn't seem out of place in such a bleak, crumbling city. 

Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio)

In fact, the only real complaint I'd have with the entire series would be the fact it strives to tell such a grounded, believable story, and yet Matt's powers appear so unbelievably...well, super. The show does a great job of conveying the importance of sound to somebody in Matt's position, but some of the things he manages to pull off are far beyond the realm of possibility. Sure, you're able to suspend your disbelief for the most part, but they certainly stretch that to the absolute breaking point. However, there's more than a few occasions that even the scales a little and see Matt taking a beating far greater than what he gives, so I'll forgive this minor problem. 


Verdict
If Daredevil proves anything, it's that Marvel have managed to conquer the small screen just as well as they have the large. Each episode tells a relatively self-contained story, and yet there's always a main-plot which flows effortlessly through everything. On occasion, there'll be multiple events happening simultaneously, but the show manages to mould them into one, cohesive sculpture. Even if you wouldn't consider yourself an avid comic-book fan, this is more than worth your time. And with a second season just announced, now's definitely the time to get on board. 

"I'm not seeking forgiveness for what I've done, Father.

I'm seeking forgiveness for what I'm about to do."