Every once in awhile we get that itch to sit down in front of our TVs and binge watch a series. Everyone once in awhile a series is worth shutting yourself in, plopping yourself down and throwing away 13 hours of your life for.
Gather up your favourite snacks, a blanket, maybe a friend (someone who doesn't talk too much) and get ready for the action fuelled thrill ride that is Marvel's Daredevil. Heck, call in sick. Your boss will understand. Because it truly is something to marvel at.
Over the weekend Netflix released the Daredevil series in its entirety. As a long time fan of Marvel and a fan of their ability to build their movie universe I can confidently say that this is the finest work they have put out to date. Marvel was successful in its presentation of Agents of SHIELD, a story with close ties to the Avengers storyline. It was a bit rocky at first but smoothed out later in its first season and eventually brought us familiar faces like Quake and Mockingbird. It also created a number of characters we adopted and fell in love with like Fitzsimmons. Its second attempt broadened the Captain America story and gave us something we were all craving, an amazing female lead with a kickass storyline. We all fell even harder for Peggy Carter. But as much as I liked and continue to like these shows they were missing an edge.
I am not particularly a fan of making things edgy and gritty just for the sake of a dark story, so I like the tone of both shows just fine. I also find myself as a believer that Marvel tends to have a light air about it in contrast to DC. But I am nonetheless a fan of the underdogs, the brawlers and the antiheroes. This is something the MCU had not presented us with yet. Reviewed as " Everything Arrow wished it could be and everything Batman Begins couldn't be," Daredevil was something I took an immediate interest in. It has such a different tone from Carter and SHIELD but still manages to keep with the Marvel Aesthetic.
For those of you unfamiliar with the character, Matt Murdock was blinded and gained superhuman senses, as a child, after he tried to save a man from being hit by a truck containing radioactive waste. As an adult Matt practices law with his best friend Foggy Nelson and is the vigilante known as Daredevil by night.
The show takes place following the events of the Battle of New York. It is nice to see Marvel not forget about the surrounding parties. Hell's Kitchen is suffering the effects of property damage and the like. Without spoiling too much, the show takes on Matt's journey to overthrow those in power in his corrupt city through his law practice and through his fists.
The cinematography and lighting of the show is enough for anyone to want to watch the show because it is seriously beautiful to look at. The show has an interesting way of bringing very comic panel elements to the screen while still appearing very much in the real world. It is also very interesting that the show plays so heavily on the visual appeal of Matt's surroundings. Upon a rewatch I would further explore the sound component of the show and how characters tended to have their own sound theme such as Wesley's ticking clock. A cool stretch if it mimicked his time left in the story. Or the lack of focus on sound with Foggy and Matt's complete trust of him.
I couldn't get away without talking about the choreography of each fight scene in the show, in particular the one shot takes. Episode 2 had us reminiscing about the famous Old Boy hallway scene. Even though we might actually get a few cuts in that scene the transitions are flawless and one for the books.
Beyond cool cinematography and an interesting story the show is cast to perfection. We heard complains, as is the case, that Murdock was missing his red hair and fans had doubts. But Charlie Cox is perfection in the role. We can forgive the absence of his ginger hair because he makes up for it with unbelievable charm and conviction. Everyone in the cast can be met with just as much praise. Elden Henson makes you fall in love with Foggy Nelson and Vondie Curtis-Hall seriously has me questioning his fate. (I mean we need more of this man and Ben Urich in general). I am also personally a fan of the Wesley character (not someone who usually sides with villain type characters) but Toby Leonard Moore offers so much with a character that says very little. I am always a fan of Rosario Dawson and I am interested in how Deborah Ann Woll will play Karen Page later down the line. But this section cannot go without mentioning Vincent D'Onofrio. He is, by far, the best villain to come out of the MCU.
So do yourself a favour, drop whatever it is you are doing and sit down in front of your TV. This is the show to binge watch. This is the show to watch again and again. If this is what Marvel has to offer in its future projects sign me up. Bring on Luke Cage, bring on Jessica Jones, bring on Iron Fist, let me watch the Defenders tomorrow. We saw all those easter eggs. But one things is for sure we can't wait for more of those best damn avocados.
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