Diving into Daredevil (2003): A Flick That Deserves a Second Look (And Maybe a Few Laughs)
Alright, friend, let’s talk Daredevil. Specifically, the Daredevil movie from 2003. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Ben Affleck, that red leather suit… oof." Yes, the movie took its share of critical beatdowns back in the day. But guess what? It's kind of a cult classic now. And it’s seriously worth revisiting, especially with the Marvel landscape being what it is today.
Unlike those stuffy articles that just list the Daredevil movie cast and regurgitate old reviews, let's have a real chat. This isn't about defending every single artistic choice (because let’s be real, some were… questionable). It's about appreciating the movie for what it was: an early attempt to bring a complex Marvel character to life.
Plus, rewatching it after Daredevil’s appearance and resurgence into the MCU with Charlie Cox made people wonder! Where would Daredevil have gotten otherwise? Back then, with other heroes – like the now super popular Spiderman had two prior movie adaptations with Tobey Maguire before Spiderman was also chosen for the role – alongside Daredevil played by Ben Affleck in that same generation – before everything went under the full rights ownership by Marvel Studios directly! The MCU now allows so much easier use of older movies – making references or incorporating those aspects back into present storylines in various forms and ways!
Daredevil (2003): The Good, The Bad, and the "What Were They Thinking?"
Let’s be honest, Ben Affleck’s Daredevil isn't the same tone as we now see in modern Marvel movies and series. However, one also needs to keep in mind that Affleck had far less technology support – for certain scenes of special effects in the making, there aren’t that many prior examples either, limiting reference work and experience related to its construction.
The Daredevil film (also known as the Daredevil 2003 and the Dare Devil movie), was definitely a unique one. There are certain elements of the casting we really need to talk about! Can you imagine what it might be like otherwise if it did not contain those specific cast members we already saw perform there – people including the most obvious Ben Affleck Daredevil and Jennifer Garner Daredevil movie cast! Seriously – would be insane! Would the story continue otherwise, the same?
- Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock: Look, Affleck got a lot of flak, but the role was different, right? It wasn’t as camp or jokey as many more recent portrayals had come across. Some say he’s far more brooding or something. And while not entirely like its comic version; it still held its character, and certainly showed it too! Especially for something not created by Marvel Studios back then.
- Jennifer Garner as Elektra: She was the best of this show; it couldn’t even come up with an excuse not to feature her later! Jennifer Garner daredevil gave rise to her character evolution through Elektra as one of its leading characters in later films too! And that same daredevil success, allowed some future film releases to be created as follow ups.
- Colin Farrell as Bullseye: Seriously, Farrell's campy performance divided audiences in two completely distinct positions; one loved it! The other half seemed less than pleased – claiming that his wasn't accurate to their vision of Bullseye! But because there was so much criticism regarding some of his performances - this is also something to see and keep an eye on now and certainly to talk about in discussions.
Rewatching Daredevil in 2024: A Fresh Perspective (Seriously)
Before going off to watch Daredevil movie (there were both widescreen two-disc and director’s cut releases back then), it’s worth considering all other versions related to Daredevil. The director’s cut version makes certain sequences flow better. Some scenes – such as that playground fight scene really showcased Daredevil film as belonging to Marvel canon already in the style shown by later versions, that were produced officially by Marvel Studios itself, using special effects! That, I think, is super worth appreciating on its own! And watch Daredevil 2003 also because that's such a different take by daredevil Fox, considering that it might as well show you something very unlikely to show again. Plus there’s all the now cult references and the behind the scenes drama regarding the release which gave much higher appreciation value too.
Let’s not forget, Daredevil in spanish is Daredevil película. If we only watch and research using a language; aren’t there chances to missing great parts to enjoy by exploring what this Daredevil film represented across even international audience viewerships? You bet!
Here's my two cents. We might still want some questions answered though. Why was Ellen Pompeo Daredevil so little noticed back then despite her performance having great recognition as an actor much later through Grey’s Anatomy? I really liked Karen Page as interpreted by her; I couldn't even see what else Karen Page should be interpreted or portrayed like from other media now!
The Daredevil (2003) Legacy
Yes, the daredevil 2003 full movie (some call it Daredevil 2003 Ben Affleck too!) is part of the early, arguably messier phase of Marvel films – something from the past. Some things such as that red leather costume could come across strange or simply as wrong for newer audiences – it's a visual product of its own time. Yet for this alone I feel it should deserve appreciation. So instead of asking “who played in Daredevil?” or wanting to immediately search and “watch Daredevil 2003,” keep your eyes looking ahead while also seeing past adaptations of beloved comic storylines and their cast too!
Yes there’s also Affleck’s Ben Affleck Dare Devil (also commonly written Ben Affleck Dare devil too!), his version of Ben Afleck Daredevil was the main character. He gave life to Ben Affleck Matt Murdock, along Jennifer Garner, making one of their early collaborations through Daredevil Ben Affleck Jennifer Garner; that, honestly – has high nostalgic value, in ways some could barely imagine without keeping up with entertainment culture information at the time of this film’s release!
Now that Daredevil officially came back, if not in a new form after getting officially adapted in a Marvel Studio format after having passed the period daredevil fox rights held; who knows? It could always come across other media such as “Daredevil 2003 full movie” too someday. With Marvel’s MCU there aren’t really official “non canon” Marvel media adaptations like many had referred as such pre-Marvel Studios.
Revisit Daredevil for what it is: an introduction to the story; appreciate it! Maybe you'll gain some valuable hindsight about it and future interpretations. After all, looking back at our favorites allows us to discover a lot more about other present and past adaptations!