Love is Blind
Daredevil Brings Super Action to Valentine's Day

Someone asked me recently, "What's with all the superhero movies?" A couple of years ago, we had X-Men. Last year it was Spider-Man. But 2003 will see four comic-based films on the silver screen, beginning with Daredevil. The question is, can a lesser-known superhero match the ol' Webslinger's spider-success?

I've been reading comic books since I could first read (which was a long time ago), and I've been an avid collector since the early 1980s. Like many others, I was a fan of Daredevil during the famous Frank Miller period. Unlike most people, however, I was drawn to the story because a blind man overcame his handicap to become a hero. As someone with a disability, I reacted strongly to this premise.

While I'm overjoyed any time a comic book is adapted to the big screen, I had my doubts about Daredevil. He doesn't have the name recognition of Batman or Spider-Man. I had other concerns, too, like the changes to Daredevil's costume and the complete lack of costumes for the two other main characters, Elektra and Bullseye. I also worried about Michael Clarke Duncan being cast as Wilson Fisk (aka The Kingpin).

The powers-that-be at Fox must have thought the Man Without Fear was worthy. They hired the young, bankable Ben Affleck to play Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil.

As the story goes, Matt was a kid blinded by biochemical waste. Although the reaction took his sight, the chemicals heightened his other senses to an extraordinary degree. Despite his loss of vision, he has a keen "radar sense" that allows him to "see" as sound vibrates off objects. He eventually trains himself to use his remaining senses to more than make up for his loss of sight. When his father is killed, Matt vows to help those less fortunate.

Like most other heroes, Daredevil has a day job. As Matt Murdock, he fights for justice as a defense trial lawyer. Matt and his partner Foggy Nelson (Jon Favreau) take the cases of the little people who can't afford high-priced attorneys. Matt's sense of justice, however, leads him to "find justice" as Daredevil when he can't find it in the courtroom.

This blur between good and evil is what Daredevil is all about. Unlike Spider-Man, Daredevil wasn't raised by a loving family. He was, for the most part, raised on the streets of Hell's Kitchen where even a blind kid had to fight for survival. Daredevil could have degenerated into a story of vengeance, but (as with any good story of redemption) the protagonist eventually begins to question his use of violence. "I'm one of the good guys," he tells a crying child who has just seen him beat up one of the Kingpin's cronies.

Making things interesting is a reporter named Ben Urich (Joe Pantoliano) who is investigating the Daredevil sightings. To add to the mix, Jennifer Garner (television's "Alias") co-stars as Elektra, the beautiful daughter of billionaire Nikolaos Natchios (Erick Avari). Unfortunately, the local crime Kingpin (Duncan) needs a scapegoat and Natchios is it. A hired assassin (Colin Ferrell) arrives in town, and it's not to difficult to "see" where things are headed.

Like most comic books first issues, Daredevil is mostly an origin story. This is especially important for those who aren't familiar with "The Man Without Fear." Setting this stage, the story is told mostly in flashback as the film begins with Daredevil collapsing, wounded, in a church. How he comes to be there is not clear until three-quarters of the way through the film. What seems like the end, however, is really only the beginning.

In keeping with the Daredevil mythos, the art direction in the film is very dark. For those not familiar with this character, he's one of the more brooding heroes in the Marvel Comics pantheon. (Think Batman without the cape.) As a result, most of the hero's activities take place at night (which befits a blind hero).

The special effects are outstanding, especially Daredevil's "radar sense." My one complaint (and it's a minor one) is that Daredevil's rooftop antics (leaping, falling, swinging, etc.) make him seem more superhuman than mere mortal. Some of the stunts look more reminiscent of Spidey than Daredevil. Of course, I had to remind myself this is supposed to be a comic book. A little embelishment with the laws of physics is to be expected.

As a comic book adaptation, Daredevil rocks. It has the style, action, and even some humor. Best of all, it has the feel of the original comic book. For that reason, I give it a hearty recommendation.

MY RATING: 7 out of 10.

RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 114 min.