Are we spotlighting movies based off of comic books this week? No. Not intentionally, but it is happening. The one thing we will always spotlight. Bad Movies.

In 2003, Marvel Comics thought it might be a good idea to ride the wave of comic character based features by mining their rich history and making a film about one of their lesser known characters. Enter Daredevil. Now, by himself, in comic book format, Daredevil is a pretty interesting character. As a young boy, Matt Murdock was splashed by toxic (and probably radioactive material, this being the theme of the 1960s....can't imagine why) waste in the face, and instantly blinded. However, while the toxic material did take his eye-sight, it enhanced his other four senses to such a degree (superhero like even!) that he would never succumb to his new handicap. As he grew older, he was trained by a Ninja master named Stick (who was also blind, and by the way none of this is in the film, so don't get excited) he eventually evolved into the costume vigilante known as Daredevil. Daredevil would make a career patrolling the New York City neighborhood known as Hell's Kitchen (it's now called Clinton presumably to help real estate sales...duh) in the evening, and by day, as an attorney defend the rights of victims as attorney Matt Murdock. Daredevil the movie, covers none of this, other than his freak accident.

The casting of Daredevil, honestly could have been a lot worse. Ben Affleck I think does a decent job as Matt Murdock, and in costume as Daredevil himself. Although not costumed, his arch-nemesis Bullseye was played well by Colin Farell. His love interest Elektra played by the lovely Jennifer Garner, and the Kingpin of Crime, played by Michael Duncan Clarke. Quite an cadre of actors. The one thing missing....a story. The movie makes little effort to piece the players together, and in the end becomes a variety of vignettes that never find a way to gel.

The biggest problem (aside from lack of script), was that Daredevil isn't the household name that Spiderman, or the X-Men are and the character doesn't have the strength to truly support a film by himself.....especially without a story. While Daredevil, does have a couple of cool action sequences, including a pointless fight between Elektra and Daredevil in a playground, it provides little else. Matt Murdock also makes no effort himself to hide the fact that he is Daredevil. Isn't that the point of being a blind lawyer, so that no one will suspect that you are actually breaking the law in the evening by supporting and in fact promoting vigilantism? By the end of the movie, everyone knows who Daredevil is, including a reporter Ben Urich played by Joe Pantoliano (the asshole that fucked over everyone in the Matrix) who is about to release a newspaper article at the end of the film announcing that Daredevil is Matt Murdock, but doesnt'....why? Because he has morals? Or maybe he thinks that Daredevil is doing some good? Perhaps, but we'll never know. The Forensic Assistant played by Kevin Smith (he used to write Daredevil, so of course he should have a cameo) even figures out Daredevil's true identity.

This movie really becomes an example of how not to make a comic book character movie. Not only does it totally confuse those not familiar with the characters, it completely alienates the fans who love and support the comic book. Keep your hand on a six pack of beer, and your finger on the fast forward button, and you might actually be able to milk some entertainment from Daredevil. The man without fear. Oooh scary.

Hamlin Grade: 1

Timothy Dalton is the one true James Bond,
pat