Marvel
In only 90 seconds, we can already tell that Marvel’s Daredevil series on Netflix is going to be better than the 2003 movie starring Ben Affleck. Maybe it’s that we don’t see the title superhero in a red leather costume, or maybe it’s that the show looks a lot more natural in its action choreography. Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock looks like he actually has some fighting skill in the brief moments spread through the first trailer. He also doesn’t ever have a stupid grin on his face. This is a serious and dark comic book adaptation, and apparently it’s going to be plenty bloody, too.
In fact, from this introduction it hardly looks like a superhero property. Aside from the implications that Murdock has a heightened sense of hearing, Daredevil seems to simply be a vigilante thriller, in which a blind man wears a cap pulled over half his face (I’d call it a ski mask, but I see no eye holes, and obviously Daredevil doesn’t need any) and fights crime in alleyways – after going to confession to give God a head’s up regarding his plans. There’s stuff involving drugs and murder and organized crime, and we get a brief glimpse at The Kingpin, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, with his back turned.
Watch this trailer and remember that technically this is the same universe as the Marvel movies and network TV series. It doesn’t have a whole lot in common with either Thor or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I wonder if there’ll be much mention of the other MCU narratives in this and the other series in Netflix’s mini-franchise, which will later include A.K.A. Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage and The Defenders. Maybe things will get brighter with each program released so they lead well enough into Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1.
Daredevil will debut on Netflix Watch Instantly with episodes written and directed by Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods) on April 10th.
