Daredevil
20th Century Fox International (2003)
Action, Crime, Thriller
In Collection
#676
5*
Seen It:  Yes
(6/13/2011)
024543117315
IMDB   5.6
104 mins USA/English
DVD  Region 1   R
Ben Affleck Matt Murdock/Daredevil
Jennifer Garner Elektra Natchios
Colin Farrell Bullseye
Michael Clarke Duncan Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin
Jon Favreau Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson
Scott Terra Young Matt
Ellen Pompeo Karen Page
Joe Pantoliano Ben Urich
Leland Orser Wesley Owen Welch
Lennie Loftin Nick Manolis
Erick Avari Nikolas Natchios
Director Mark Steven Johnson
Producer Avi Arad
Gary Foster
Arnon Milchan
Kathleen M. Courtney
Becki Cross Trujillo
Writer Mark Steven Johnson

One of Marvel Comics' most popular characters comes to the screen for the first time in this sci-fi action-thriller. Matthew Murdock (Ben Affleck) is a lawyer whose father, a prizefighter, was killed by gangsters when Murdock was just a boy. Since then, Murdock has devoted his life to bringing wrongdoers to justice and is willing to help others by taking on cases no other attorney will touch. Murdock is also blind, after being struck down by a truck while trying to save a man from being hit. What no one knows is that Murdock was also doused with an unusual radioactive isotope which had a strange effect on him — while Murdock's sight may be gone, his other senses have been raised to such a keen pitch that they act like radar, allowing him to tell where he's going and what happens around him, both near and far away. Murdock puts his gifts to use at night as the costumed crime-fighter Daredevil, whose pursuit of justice has earned him the wrath of underworld leader Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan). Kingpin wants Daredevil out of his way once and for all, and hires Bullseye (Colin Farrell), a super-assassin with an uncanny ability to throw blades, to do the job. Daredevil also makes the acquaintance of Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner), a woman with super-heroic talents who is also on Kingpin's bad side, though it remains to be seen if she has aligned herself with the forces of good as Daredevil has done. Jon Favreau, Joe Pantoliano, and David Keith highlight Daredevil's supporting cast. — Mark Deming
Edition Details
Edition Director's Cut
Release Date 11/30/2004
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles English; Spanish
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
ENGLISH: DTS 5.1 [CC]
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Surround
SPANISH: Dolby Digital Surround
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 11/30/2004
Owner Thomas Eisenmann
Store Best Buy
Purchase Price $13.99
Condition Excellent
Reviewed Widescreen Review
Bit Rate 448 KB
Anamophic Yes
Links All Movie Guide
DVD Empire
Amazon US
IMDB

Features
Anamophic
This 133-minute Director's Cut includes audio commentary by director Mark Steven Johnson and producer Avi Arad, a 15-minute making of featurette, and trailers for Alien Vs. Predator and I, Robot.

Widescreen Review
Special Notes:
Available separately in a modified 1.33:1 (4:3) version.

Story Synopsis:
By day Matthew Murdock (Affleck) is an attorney, but by night he’s a costumed crime fighter known as Daredevil. A superhero of sorts, especially due to the fact that he is blind, he uses supersenses that were given to him after he had been doused with an unusual radioactive isotope. (Suzanne Hodges)

DVD Picture:
This new anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD exhibits picture quality that is virtually identical to the previously released theatrical edition of Daredevil, featuring seamlessly added scenes that make up the Director’s Cut. The picture is incredibly well contrasted, and with very nicely rendered shadow delineation for the many action scenes that take place in the extremely dark scenes set at night. Colors are incredibly saturated and perfectly follow comic book stylizations, with vivid hues and vibrant spot colors, natural fleshtones, and deep, unparalleled blacks. The scenes that flash back to Daredevil’s childhood have a bit of a desaturated appearance. Images are sharp and detailed, with nicely rendered clarity and textures. Edge enhancement is noticed and pixelization is occasional, as are some very slightly smeared details. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
With fantastic imaging throughout the soundfield and excellent pans across each sound wall, these Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel and DTS® Digital Surround™ soundtracks surely will not disappoint. Effects are localized well around the entire room, creating a truly holosonic™ experience. Voices sound very natural, however, there are instances of dialogue in the newly added scenes that show some ADR-type qualities. For the most part, however, voices do match the characteristics you would expect for the on-screen atmosphere and situation. Bass is deep and often drops below 25 Hz, even in the surround channels. LFE channel activity is prevalent continuously, adding that extra element to the soundtrack it is meant to provide. As with most comparisons between Dolby and DTS soundtracks, this one provides slightly better imaging articulation and deeper, more precise bass extension. Compared to the previous DVD release, not much in the audio presentation has changed. Besides the addition of new scenes-which generally blend seamlessly characteristics of the previous edition into the mix-elements of this soundtrack sound just as impressive and just as immersive. (Danny Richelieu)