“I’m just trying to make my city a better place”-says Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) the main character of the new Netflix hit Daredevil, not only is New York a better place because of Matt, but so is Netflix. Daredevil is not only one of the best things Marvel Entertainment has put out, it is one of the best shows or movies available to stream on Netflix.
Daredevil follows the story of blind criminal defense attorney by day, vigilante by night Matt Murdock, played wonderfully by Charlie Cox, as he tries to uncover a conspiracy lead by a man named Fisk (Vincent D’onofrio) that could affect Hell’s Kitchen and all of New York City.
The series is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (in other words it coexists with the likes of The Avengers and The Guardians of the Galaxy), but unlike movies such as The Avengers, Daredevil is gritty, violent and often depressing. This show doesn’t feel like your typical superhero movie, it feels like a serious crime drama. Characters die, and Matt doesn’t always win or make the right choices. I sometimes felt as if the “villain” of the show, Fisk, was more sympathetic then the protagonist. I sometimes felt that his choices were nobler than those of Matt. The show made me ask questions about what it means to “do the right thing” and the consequences that doing the right thing can have on both yourself and the people around you. Any show that digs that deep on an emotional level deserves to be watched.
Not only do the emotions go deep, but the fight scenes are simply stunning. Every fight scene is so superbly choreographed it feels like something out of a John Woo movie, they are that good. I kid you not, my mouth could not shut during some of the fights. I won’t spoil it for you, but the hallway fight in episode two is worth a watch just for the cinematography alone.
Most of the actors in Daredevil are movie actors, not what people call “typical T.V actors”, and that really shows. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’onofrio in particular shine as the show’s hero and villain, with acting that will make you cry, smile, and just sit there and say “wow."
Season 1 consists of thirteen 50 or so minute episodes that connect together to make, what seems like one thirteen hour movie. Originally Marvel debated whether or not to make a Daredevil movie or a show, having it be a show allows for a ton of character development and build up that movies just don’t have the time for. The episodes never dragged on, I was consistently entertained and filled with suspense. For those of you wondering, yes you can joyfully“binge watch”, I watched all thirteen episodes in one weekend. The show has received such high praise from critics and fans alike that you should expect to see Daredevil show up in one of the upcoming Avengers movies and a season two has already been announced and is expected to drop on Netflix sometime next year.
I honestly cannot praise Daredevil enough, I recommend it to fans of the comic, fans of superheroes, or just fans of TV and movie in general, it is truly a treat for everyone.