Well, Spud is back after a long absense, which doesn't make his story any less bewildering, and surreal. And ESB graces our pages with a review of the new movie, DareDevil. And you know, I'm gonna stick my neck out on a limb and say that most people will respond to the movie much as Eric did.
I didn't however. First I have to say how surprised I was at Ben Affleck. I would never have thought he could carry off a movie of this complexity. Where Eric saw a rather simple adventure movie, I saw something different.
For the last year or so, the Daredevil comic has been somewhat of the darling of college level comics afficianados, due to the level of writing and art. Affleck was able to evince much of the "behind the scenes" angst of the character who wants to be "one of the good guys" but finds himself stepping over the line way too easily. An unshaven superhero? How bizarre.
Jennifer Garner as Elektra was also quite well cast. Anyone who has seen her in Alias knows what a talented actress she is. Michael Clarke Duncan again shows off his range as an actor, and I was impressed that the powers-that-be cast Wilson Fisk, a white guy in the comics, as this powerful black dude. And I must agree that Colin Farrell, whose over-the-top portrayal of Bullseye brought a frenzy to the movie, was also able to show what a dynamic range he has as an actor.
So, there is more to this movie than one cursory viewing can accomplish. Both X-Men and Spiderman are great summer block-buster action movies, but with an attention to details, one might find more meaning in February's release of Daredevil.
Jerry -- The Bottle Washer
Copyright © 2003 by Bewildering Stories