Written by: Kevin Berge
Daredevil Season 1 was almost universally well received by everyone, lauded as one of the best TV series of 2015. The only award it won? "Best New Titles Sequence" (Image Courtesy of: artofvfx.com)
Quick Take: Marvel's Daredevil Season 1 is one of the most engrossing comic book adaptations put to screen, exploring a character who struggling to find the right way to live. With fantastic lead performances by Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio as well as visceral action scenes that ooze with the same storytelling as the script, the series is a mature, violent triumph.
Marvel-Netflix Seasons: Jessica Jones S1 | Luke Cage S1
***This is a spoiler-free review; however, it will include allusions to major turns and events in the story that could end up influencing a first time viewer's opinion on the show before seeing it. If you have not seen Daredevil Season 1 yet and plan to do so regardless, go watch first before reading. If you need an extra push to understand if the series is right for you, keep reading.***
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a monster undertaking these past few years with full scale multi-movie storytelling the likes of which has never been attempted before. With multiple blockbusters a year each with interlocking characters and events that have culminated in huge event films, the MCU is constantly growing and making even more money along the way.
When it began though, no one would have expected Marvel would also be venturing into television to fully expand their universe. Despite the success of the films though, that television venture facilitated by Netflix has been the new universe's most consistently excellent and unique success so far.
That may be a bit of a strong statement given the low number of entries so far, but Daredevil Season 1 was a pretty ridiculously strong opening salvo to launch (not to mention the follow up with Jessica Jones). Taking a largely misused Marvel character in mainstream media (I still can't believe I sat through all of the movie), this Netflix series had a lot to live up to with a character that has been very well represented in comics.
Beginning with the opening action set piece, it's easy to see that the show is in the right hands. The visceral action is easy to follow yet tough to watch, and it pairs well with the man it follows. Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is a blind man with heightened senses and impressive athleticism that makes him a physical force who can combat anyone.
There is very little superhuman about him. Certainly he is one of the best human fighters on the planet with reflexes and senses that make him difficult to even hit, but he is still human. He's no Greek god, not genetically super strong and fast, or even helped by an unbelievably complex supersuit.
There is one scene that beautifully illustrates this in just the second episode, a one shot take of Daredevil taking down a whole building of men reminiscent of a well acclaimed one shot from the 2003 South Korean film Oldboy (also based on a comic). He bleeds. He tires. He feels every punch, but he keeps getting back up to keep fighting.
***This is a spoiler-free review; however, it will include allusions to major turns and events in the story that could end up influencing a first time viewer's opinion on the show before seeing it. If you have not seen Daredevil Season 1 yet and plan to do so regardless, go watch first before reading. If you need an extra push to understand if the series is right for you, keep reading.***
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a monster undertaking these past few years with full scale multi-movie storytelling the likes of which has never been attempted before. With multiple blockbusters a year each with interlocking characters and events that have culminated in huge event films, the MCU is constantly growing and making even more money along the way.
When it began though, no one would have expected Marvel would also be venturing into television to fully expand their universe. Despite the success of the films though, that television venture facilitated by Netflix has been the new universe's most consistently excellent and unique success so far.
That may be a bit of a strong statement given the low number of entries so far, but Daredevil Season 1 was a pretty ridiculously strong opening salvo to launch (not to mention the follow up with Jessica Jones). Taking a largely misused Marvel character in mainstream media (I still can't believe I sat through all of the movie), this Netflix series had a lot to live up to with a character that has been very well represented in comics.
Beginning with the opening action set piece, it's easy to see that the show is in the right hands. The visceral action is easy to follow yet tough to watch, and it pairs well with the man it follows. Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is a blind man with heightened senses and impressive athleticism that makes him a physical force who can combat anyone.
There is very little superhuman about him. Certainly he is one of the best human fighters on the planet with reflexes and senses that make him difficult to even hit, but he is still human. He's no Greek god, not genetically super strong and fast, or even helped by an unbelievably complex supersuit.
There is one scene that beautifully illustrates this in just the second episode, a one shot take of Daredevil taking down a whole building of men reminiscent of a well acclaimed one shot from the 2003 South Korean film Oldboy (also based on a comic). He bleeds. He tires. He feels every punch, but he keeps getting back up to keep fighting.
Vincent D'Onofrio is a well traveled and respected actor, yet every time I see him, all I can think is "sugar... in water". I have watched Men in Black too many times. (Image Courtesy of: framestore.com)
What makes the series so great is that it keeps that edge throughout its 13 episode run. Murdock is a flawed, fragile man who questions his own humanity, forced to find console in a Catholic priest and friends he never wants to reveal the full truth to. With all this time and a focused vision, the series is intense and violent and gives full voice to its characters in a way the movies don't have the time to.
What makes the original season of Daredevil also so affecting is that it lends the same honest time to the villains of the story. Wilson Fisk or Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) is not just a brute or a mastermind, and the series gives enough time to show just how flawed and damaged he is, just as he's also shown to be brutal and violent.
This focus on so many characters would not work if the characters were not so well acted by a superlative cast. Cox is the perfect brooding lead man, charismatic but also dramatically engaging. D'Onfrio is recognition worthy as a man on the edge of so many emotions, not quite holding himself together.
Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll as the best friends of Murdock, Foggy Nelson and Karen Page, both are solid, stepping up their game in the final act of the season. Rosario Dawson and Bob Gunton are a part of a strong supporting cast that each get some great moments along the way. The universal strong casting of the series is remarkable and takes a well made series to the next level.
However, it's actually not the acting that makes the series such a wide ranging success but the tight direction and writing by a variety of names that elevates it beyond being just another comic book series adaptation. It's difficult to give so many names credit, so I will just universally praise those who had a hand in particularly the writing.
What makes the original season of Daredevil also so affecting is that it lends the same honest time to the villains of the story. Wilson Fisk or Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) is not just a brute or a mastermind, and the series gives enough time to show just how flawed and damaged he is, just as he's also shown to be brutal and violent.
This focus on so many characters would not work if the characters were not so well acted by a superlative cast. Cox is the perfect brooding lead man, charismatic but also dramatically engaging. D'Onfrio is recognition worthy as a man on the edge of so many emotions, not quite holding himself together.
Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll as the best friends of Murdock, Foggy Nelson and Karen Page, both are solid, stepping up their game in the final act of the season. Rosario Dawson and Bob Gunton are a part of a strong supporting cast that each get some great moments along the way. The universal strong casting of the series is remarkable and takes a well made series to the next level.
However, it's actually not the acting that makes the series such a wide ranging success but the tight direction and writing by a variety of names that elevates it beyond being just another comic book series adaptation. It's difficult to give so many names credit, so I will just universally praise those who had a hand in particularly the writing.
All these vicious fighters, and Karen's the person I'd most be scared to deal with in Hell's Kitchen. (Image Courtesy of: craveonline.com)
While I have been universally singing the praises of Daredevil, it is not a perfect first season. The brutality of the season will likely turn off many viewers, aimed at a very different and more limited audience than its fellow MCU films. It also similarly plays in a much darker tone that feels much more like the DC wheelhouse than Marvel.
Beyond that subjectivity, while the early episodes are affecting, they are slow building with characters that take a while to grow in complexity. The series improves dramatically as it goes along with the first half or so top notch consistently. The final episode however feels a bit too neat, making quick work of a major conflict.
There are also a lot of pieces in the series that don't get full time to deliver. Murdock is a part of a law firm with Foggy that leads to one fantastic court scene, but the whole law aspect of the story feels like a missed opportunity. There are also many hints to organizations and influences that feel more like thrown together world building than actual relevant parts of the seasons.
This is the first of its own smaller section of the MCU which means not everything fits perfectly at this moment for the series. The Defenders are still being assembled with Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and the only recently cast Iron Fist all a part of this larger vision, so I cannot fully qualify everything this season sets forth.
Overall, Daredevil Season 1 is an unmitigated success. It is brutal, intense, and creates a lasting vision of Daredevil as an engaging character who needed to be experienced even more than just in these 13 episodes. The character was so well developed that it wasn't a surprise at all that Daredevil Season 2 was announced so quickly.
In fact, it is set to be the third Netflix Marvel series to air, releasing next week, far ahead of both Luke Cage and Iron Fist as series. Honestly, this opening season convinced me I was instantly in for the long haul with Daredevil. I only hope that the series along with its other MCU Netflix series can keep this same quality.
Beyond that subjectivity, while the early episodes are affecting, they are slow building with characters that take a while to grow in complexity. The series improves dramatically as it goes along with the first half or so top notch consistently. The final episode however feels a bit too neat, making quick work of a major conflict.
There are also a lot of pieces in the series that don't get full time to deliver. Murdock is a part of a law firm with Foggy that leads to one fantastic court scene, but the whole law aspect of the story feels like a missed opportunity. There are also many hints to organizations and influences that feel more like thrown together world building than actual relevant parts of the seasons.
This is the first of its own smaller section of the MCU which means not everything fits perfectly at this moment for the series. The Defenders are still being assembled with Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and the only recently cast Iron Fist all a part of this larger vision, so I cannot fully qualify everything this season sets forth.
Overall, Daredevil Season 1 is an unmitigated success. It is brutal, intense, and creates a lasting vision of Daredevil as an engaging character who needed to be experienced even more than just in these 13 episodes. The character was so well developed that it wasn't a surprise at all that Daredevil Season 2 was announced so quickly.
In fact, it is set to be the third Netflix Marvel series to air, releasing next week, far ahead of both Luke Cage and Iron Fist as series. Honestly, this opening season convinced me I was instantly in for the long haul with Daredevil. I only hope that the series along with its other MCU Netflix series can keep this same quality.