Netflix aired all new series “Daredevil”, based off the popular Marvel comic, on April 10 to the delight of many comic book fans.
The original 2003 Marvel Cinematic Universe film, also entitled “Daredevil”, was a huge box office failure, and nearly ruined the name Matthew Murdock until Netflix had the idea to create a new and much grittier adaptation.
The series begins after the events of “The Avengers”. New York City is on the rebound, and the re-construction has given rise to opportunities all over the city. Because of this, criminal activity has skyrocketed since many wish to take advantage of the situation. This does not sit well with blind attorney Matt Murdock, and thus the character of Daredevil is born.
This is the first time Marvel has released anything strictly for mature audiences, and it has yet to turn off audiences. The incredibly dark and gory storyline has received almost completely positive reviews, and even managed to wrangle in a 97 percent from Rotten Tomatoes.
However, while “Daredevil” is dark and mature, it is not pretentious. In no way does “Daredevil” compete with the likes of “Game of Thrones”, “Dexter” or “Banshee” in terms of a TV-MA rating, but it still greatly appeals to the thrill seeker in all of us.
“I have always been a huge fan of the ‘Daredevil’ comics and I was extremely excited when I heard the announcement that they were making a show out of it. I watched the entire thing in a couple days and I don’t regret a thing,” said an anonymous student.
Due to the extreme popularity since Netflix released season 1, Marvel has already signed on for a season 2. There are some changes for the second season, however. Executive producer Steven Deknight is signing off, making way for Doug Petrie and Marco Ramirez (who worked closely with the team during the first season). Marvel also released a statement saying they plan to turn the series into one large movie.
Fans are speculating over whether or not this means Murdock will have an appearance in future crossover films, but that question has yet to be answered.
Despite the overall success of the series, there are still a few issues, particularly the writing of female characters (much like most shows). There are certainly powerful women in Daredevil such as Vanessa, who captured Fisk’s heart and exerted a greater pull on the big man than his various criminal partners. Meanwhile, druglord Madam Gao flattened a surprised Murdoch with one punch. But none of the female characters felt particularly three-dimensional.
“I’m a little upset that the female characters are so flat and two-dimensional. There’s really not much to them besides their purpose for the other male characters. I was hoping that ‘Daredevil’ might be different, but it really wasn’t. Let’s just hope it changes for season two,” said junior Diyaa Capil.
In a perfect world, there would be more love for the eight-part “Agent Carter”, starring Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, a SHEILD agent who fights against Hydra and sexism in post-Second World War America, but the first season of “Daredevil” feels like a genuine evolution for Marvel, and hopefully more projects similar to it will appear in the new future.
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