Is it just me, or does anyone else around the Hype think that the Daredevil movie gets way too much **** it doesn't deserve? I mean, it's a really good film, and I disagree with pretty much everything most people say is wrong with it. Here's my argument against most of what people claim to be the films 'flaws':
- Casting: A lot of people were upset that the Kingpin was black and that Ben Affleck was cast as Matt Murdock. I can understand that having Duncan as the Kingpin was a bit jarring, but it's easy to get over it. And I think Ben Affleck did a great job as the DD. I'm not a huge fan of his, and I know he's no Johnny Depp or Jack Nicholson, but I enjoyed his performance as Matt. It's funny, some fans say he was too 'fat' to be the Daredevil, but when someone is cast to play a hero who isn't very big or strong, the fans complain about that too. It was nice having a superhero that passes the 6 foot mark, and I don't think he look 'fat' in the suit. Maybe not as thin as some of the artists have made DD look, but not fat. Jennifer Garner and Colin Farrell were great in the film, but they're rarely criticized for their roles so I needn't argue that point much.
- Storyline/faithfulness to the comics: In my opinion, the movie was very, very faithful to the comics. Despite the fact that, admittedly, Elektra seemed more like a Jennifer Aniston than an Angelina Jolie in the sense that she's more of a girl-next-door than an exotic chick in the film, I believe the origin story and the stuff that happens between DD and Bullseye etc. were faithful to the comics, at least when compared to other comic book movies. Here's an example:
In the first Spider-man film, Gwen Stacy doesn't exist, and a lot of her character elements are applied to Mary Jane. In the comics, the Green Goblin throws Gwen off a bridge, killing her (despite Spider-man's efforts to save her). In the film, Mary Jane is thrown off the bridge (as well as a tram full of school kids) and Spider-man manages to catch both, without death or serious injury caused to either party.
In the comics, Elektra is stabbed by Bullseye in the torso, causing her death. Although many thought they would pull a Raimi and have Elektra survive her battle with Bullseye (therefore making it much more appealing to moviegoers who can't handle non-happy endings), she is killed in a shot that is nearly identical to the frame where she dies in the comics.
See what I mean? Daredevil remains true to the original stories, even moreso than other comic book movies that have been more warmly received. But again, the Kingpin is black....I guess whether or not that affects the experience of watching the film is up to the viewer.
- Not dark enough/PG-13 rating: I agree wholeheartedly about the film not being as dark as it should be and having to earn a PG-13 rating. I don't, however, agree with who deserves the blame. I don't think MSJ should get the blame; the finger should be pointed directly at the studio. Punisher got the darkness he deserved, why couldn't Daredevil? Perhaps they were concerned that to many under 17s would get turned away at the box office, but that's life. It was as dark as a PG-13 film could be, and had plenty of blood/violence and even a mild sex scene. We should at least be grateful for this.
- The wrong cut of the film was released: Again, I agree wholeheartedly. And again, the blame should be put on the studio. Had MSJ had complete creative control from the beginning, DD would have been a better film.
That's all I can think of for now, but I hope some of you see my point. Also, this isn't a Daredevil Appreciation thread, this is just a topic I created so I could share my opinion about Daredevil being too harshly criticized, and so others could agree or disagree as they see fit. If you think I'm totally wrong and/or insane and wish to post it here, great, that's what forums are for. And if you agree with me, likewise, post your support here.
Cheers.
P.S., As you can see by my post count and join date, I'm pretty new to this board, so forgive me if a very similar thread has been made, or if this should have been posted somewhere else. If that is the case, my sincerest apologies.
- Casting: A lot of people were upset that the Kingpin was black and that Ben Affleck was cast as Matt Murdock. I can understand that having Duncan as the Kingpin was a bit jarring, but it's easy to get over it. And I think Ben Affleck did a great job as the DD. I'm not a huge fan of his, and I know he's no Johnny Depp or Jack Nicholson, but I enjoyed his performance as Matt. It's funny, some fans say he was too 'fat' to be the Daredevil, but when someone is cast to play a hero who isn't very big or strong, the fans complain about that too. It was nice having a superhero that passes the 6 foot mark, and I don't think he look 'fat' in the suit. Maybe not as thin as some of the artists have made DD look, but not fat. Jennifer Garner and Colin Farrell were great in the film, but they're rarely criticized for their roles so I needn't argue that point much.
- Storyline/faithfulness to the comics: In my opinion, the movie was very, very faithful to the comics. Despite the fact that, admittedly, Elektra seemed more like a Jennifer Aniston than an Angelina Jolie in the sense that she's more of a girl-next-door than an exotic chick in the film, I believe the origin story and the stuff that happens between DD and Bullseye etc. were faithful to the comics, at least when compared to other comic book movies. Here's an example:
In the first Spider-man film, Gwen Stacy doesn't exist, and a lot of her character elements are applied to Mary Jane. In the comics, the Green Goblin throws Gwen off a bridge, killing her (despite Spider-man's efforts to save her). In the film, Mary Jane is thrown off the bridge (as well as a tram full of school kids) and Spider-man manages to catch both, without death or serious injury caused to either party.
In the comics, Elektra is stabbed by Bullseye in the torso, causing her death. Although many thought they would pull a Raimi and have Elektra survive her battle with Bullseye (therefore making it much more appealing to moviegoers who can't handle non-happy endings), she is killed in a shot that is nearly identical to the frame where she dies in the comics.
See what I mean? Daredevil remains true to the original stories, even moreso than other comic book movies that have been more warmly received. But again, the Kingpin is black....I guess whether or not that affects the experience of watching the film is up to the viewer.
- Not dark enough/PG-13 rating: I agree wholeheartedly about the film not being as dark as it should be and having to earn a PG-13 rating. I don't, however, agree with who deserves the blame. I don't think MSJ should get the blame; the finger should be pointed directly at the studio. Punisher got the darkness he deserved, why couldn't Daredevil? Perhaps they were concerned that to many under 17s would get turned away at the box office, but that's life. It was as dark as a PG-13 film could be, and had plenty of blood/violence and even a mild sex scene. We should at least be grateful for this.
- The wrong cut of the film was released: Again, I agree wholeheartedly. And again, the blame should be put on the studio. Had MSJ had complete creative control from the beginning, DD would have been a better film.
That's all I can think of for now, but I hope some of you see my point. Also, this isn't a Daredevil Appreciation thread, this is just a topic I created so I could share my opinion about Daredevil being too harshly criticized, and so others could agree or disagree as they see fit. If you think I'm totally wrong and/or insane and wish to post it here, great, that's what forums are for. And if you agree with me, likewise, post your support here.
Cheers.
P.S., As you can see by my post count and join date, I'm pretty new to this board, so forgive me if a very similar thread has been made, or if this should have been posted somewhere else. If that is the case, my sincerest apologies.
