A Daring Netflix Original
So the first series of Netflix and Marvel’s new T.V. series DAREDEVIL hit the streaming service yesterday. I watched the first episode last night, and thought I’d share my thoughts, without spoiling anything (so this isn’t an in depth review).
When Netflix announced they were making a Daredevil series I was immediately “in”. Daredevil isn’t one of my most read comics but I do enjoy them, and I have always thought he deserves a decent on screen vehicle, could this be it?
The first episode could have fallen into the trap of being a turgid origin story, instead they opt to show the origin in short flash back sequences. Now, while I think this is a good thing, it also skips over his origins a little bit for me.
The basic origins of how Matt Murdock became Daredevil are that he was the son of a boxer, “Battling Jack” Murdock who pushed him to study hard so as not to end up like him. He was a bit of a nerd and scared of his own shadow so got bullied and was called “Daredevil” by the bullies. Walking home one day a blind man walks in front of an oncoming truck “OH NO!” Matt bravely pushed the man to safety and the truck swerves and crashes. The truck was carrying radioactive materials, well it had to be didn’t it? which splash into young Matt’s eyes blinding him. While in hospital he finds his other senses are heightened and he has a new found “radar sense”. This is a potted origin of course but I’m sure you can find out more if you’re interested. http://marvel.com/characters/11/daredevil
Unfortunately the scenes in the episode don’t really get this across very clearly and they could be overlooked or misunderstood by the viewer. This doesn’t detract from the overall episode too much, but it could have been made a little clearer.
The episode sets up a few of the main characters for the series
Charlie Cox plays Matt Murdock and we see him both as the lawyer by day, and as the masked vigilante by night. He seems a good fit for the role.
Elden Henson plays Foggy Nelson. Matt’s law firm partner and friend. I struggle to think who they could have got to play the part any better. Elden is a good actor and well, look
Deborah Ann Woll (My favourite person in True Blood) plays Karen Page. If you’ve read the comics you’ll know about Karen, if not then I won’t spoil anything here.
The shadowy underworld figure we don’t see but do hear, we know to be Vincent D’Onofrio playing KINGPIN and we see some of his handy work during the episode.
The episode really sets the tone of the series I think. Dark, story lead and with great performances all round. Daredevil is shown to be an athletic, trained fighter. Some of his other powers are touched on, like his ability to hear heartbeats and therefore tell if people are lying.
His suit is a strange choice, but really goes well with the gritty realism I think they have opted for to begin the series. Unfortunately it immediately brings up the costume used in the 1989 T.V. Movie “The Trial of The Incredible Hulk” 
Where Rex Smith played Matt Murdock who was luckily the lawyer for David Banner and looked like this when he was Daredevil.
You see the resemblance yeah?
I’m sure the makers are actually trying to go with the Daredevil:Man Without Fear vibe, but my initial thoughts where of the above. Having said that though, it works. It suits the feel of the show and he looks bad ass enough to scare the crooks.
It’s difficult to really say much about it without giving spoilers so I’ll leave it here.
So, with the whole series available immediately, the only question is are you going to ration or marathon?
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