I don’t know about you, but after more than decade of superhero movies, my interest has started to wane. Frankly, I’ve been a bit Marvel’ed out. But despite my hesitancy, DAREDEVIL hasn’t done me wrong and I was super excited to give the new series, DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN, a try. And if my binge-watching of 9 episodes over a 24-hour period is any indication, this long-awaited revisit to the character is going to leave fans happy and the casual viewers (like me) entertained. The main fight scene in the first episode of the season is jaw-dropping. Buckle up.
It’s been seven years since we last saw a series centered around Daredevil aka Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). This time, instead of Netflix, Disney+ is taking on the masked vigilante in what may be one of the darkest and most brutal superhero series yet. It’s hard to say much about the series for spoiler purposes, so I will leave it at this: Murdock comes face-to-face with enormous tragedy, the aftermath of which causes him to question his own morality/humanity and negatively impacts the relationships he holds most dear. Dejected, Murdock decides to hang up the Daredevil cowl for good, but of course New York never sleeps… especially when you have the villainous and corrupt Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) throwing his hat into the mayoral race. Will Murdock really be able to stand by while the people and city he loves is in danger?
The fight choreography in BORN AGAIN is absolutely unmatched. I think I rewound the hand-to-hand combat scene in the first episode at least five times. It was incredible how directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson made a 10+ min fight look like it was a a one-take shot with no cuts. It was extremely clever how they cut the scene to jump locations and have additional characters come in and out of frame. Even more impressive was how so much of the action appeared to be shot practically, with real elements instead of CGI. This scene alone makes the season worth watching, and while this is the most impressive moment of the whole season, there are other entertaining fight scenes to watch sprinkled throughout… and that is what makes Daredevil so much fun.
Without giving anything away, my main criticism of BORN AGAIN is that the supporting cast needs to be stronger. I loved the limited appearances from some returning characters, particularly Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll)… and a couple others I will leave out for spoiler purposes. But the regular supporting cast was not nearly as interesting. There are some flashes of potential in Fisk’s mayoral office with protegé Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini), but other than that, I was disappointed by the new crop of characters. I especially had zero interest in Murdock’s new love interest Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva); the chemistry wasn’t doing it for me, especially in comparison to the scenes between Murdock and Karen, where the electricity practically leaps off the screen. I guess all of this is to say… down with Heather, up with Karen.
Even if you are feeling at your limit with Marvel/superhero properties, I think you will still find entertainment in DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN. The series hits on all of the elements we have grown to love in this character’s story: the continued conflict between Fisk and Murdock, gritty practical fight scenes, and an interesting exploration on the legitimacy of vigilante justice. But if you’re looking for light, airy superhero fun, this is not the show for you. This season really leans into the darkness and doesn’t let up. Here’s hoping part two will give us a bit more to cheer for… and some more Karen screen time to boot!
My Review: B