Into the Ring

It's been said that Marvel rules over cinema and DC rules over TV series. While Marvel has a couple lighthearted series of their own, Daredevil is their first appropriate contender and he is significantly different than any before him. This series is equally a noir thriller as it's a superhero story. Daredevil is exceptionally dark on all aspects, both story and action. While it is debatable whether it can dethrone DC, one thing for sure; Daredevil has the best action choreography of any series.

Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is a lawyer at day and vigilante at night, he's pretty much full time blind servant of justice. Story focuses on his early days when Murdock isn't exactly the Daredevil yet, a good indication of this is the makeshift outfit. I guess when Murdock is just starting his law firm, he can't afford glass casing for his hood, although he already has several superhuman attributes.

Comparison could be make with Ben Affleck's performance more than a decade ago, but Charlie Cox looks pretty menacingly formidable as Daredevil. Casting is suitable for first episode, the actors might need time to settle in, and the audience to be familiar with them, but Charlie Cox might just handle the role admirably.

Visual is in constant bleakness with occasional gleam of slightly more vibrant color, it almost resembles a stylish comic book portrayal of Murdock's sense. The use of shadow is overwhelming, creating contrast in just about any room the characters are in. The screenplay has slow yet intense pace, it focuses on a few characters and develops them nicely with clever script.

Surprisingly, the bulk of the episode is investigation. This creates a deeper connection between the characters. I must admit after watching DC series the change of pace is bizarre at first, but I find it very fascinating. When the action starts, Daredevil is leagues above the rest. It offers high level of fighting sequences, brutal flesh collision with each punches and kicks and the camera takes every visual advantage of it. It's worth checking Daredevil solely for the action scenes.

This is not your ordinary superhero series. It's unapologetically gritty and bloody, while that might not be as accessible as previous Marvel series, Daredevil is a legitimate powerhouse and the best masked man Marvel has to offer yet.

With the new Daredevil show coming in 2025, revamped to be season 4 of the original show which aired on Netflix 2015-2018, I thought it was time to rewatch this show which I loved. I've seen it twice before (season 3 only once), I really liked those Netflix shows which I'm glad are canon once again. For a pilot episode, the creator Drew Goddard and showrunner Steven S. DeKnight did a brilliant job, with the former of them writing this episode. He gets the hard job with introducing all the characters and especially the title character, wisely choosing to quickly get the flashback sequence out of the way with the little information we did get enough. Instead letting Matt Murdock do a confessional, talking about his father who has passed away and what he's going to do which he never explains further which would destroy his alter identity as Daredevil. In two scenes, we get the backstory when he got his powers and then set up Matt Murdock's catholicism which plays a big part in the show and is a recurring theme throughout the show. Then we get the third scene, the introduction of Daredevil and a great choreographed action sequence which shows off his powers and martial arts. The action sequences are incredible in this episode and the rest of the season(show), one of the many highlights, how it's grounded and relies on martial arts and choreography than visual effects and wow factor, because of how the wow factor already exists and doesn't need visual effects. The next scene introduces Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, Murdock's best friend and law partner, who served as most of the comic relief in a very dark series. The next scene is Nelson and Murdock together, then there's the introduction of the third main character named Karen Page. This structure regarding the storytelling works perfectly, the narrative is flawless.

Phil Abraham directed the episode, who is an Emmys nominee for Mad Men and won for Cinematography for the show. What about Daredevil "Into the Ring"? His direction is magnificent, the camera work and aesthetics are excellent, and Abraham's mise-en-scene is spectacular. The set design, on-location shooting, lighting and composition. Everything is excellent. It's thanks to all this which makes the noir work so well, as well with the writing. The direction and cinematography is truly incredible and something special. The dark nights in New York, the rain falling down and of course the color. Film noir is characterized by its use of chiaroscuro lighting, which creates deep shadows and high contrast between light and dark. The noir genre is executed perfectly here.

The cast includes Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Elden Henson as Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, Toby Leonard Moore as James Wesley, Vondie Curtis-Hall as Ben Urich, Bob Gunton as Leland Owlsley, Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin, Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple and Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa Marianna-Fisk. I'll go into detail of Charlie Cox's performance. Cox worked with blind consultant Joe Strechay, and was conscious of what his eyes were doing at all times, to ensure they would not look at or react to something unlike a blind person. The huge amount of work he put into this role, from acting like a blind man, he was made for this role and deserving of a lead role after his terrific performance in Boardwalk Empire. What's fascinating with this performance though is how he also does all the stunts, the martial arts are a major thing with the character and Cox nails it. Charlie Cox is the lead and acts like it, stealing the show. The supporting cast does a great job as well.

As you might have noticed, Daredevil isn't wearing his iconic red devilish costume and the episode is focusing more on the mystery and noir, the drama and its characters, instead of the normal superhero genre tropes. Film noir is known for its morally ambiguous characters and this show has that, this episode alone shows that with its main character who is morally grey, you'll see more complex characters in later episodes. Morality is one of the show's themes along with perseverance and justice. Rewatching this episode with the mindset of analyzing it gave me a different view point, it only enhanced my experience, making me like it a lot more. The episode ends without having introduced the main bad, Wilson Fisk but with a streaming show, those news were already known from before. I think the episode works better without giving us a scene with him, instead letting us see the foot soldiers and the ones below him. In terms of a filmmaking standpoint, this episode is excellent and deserves a lot of praise.

This should be a benchmark for what a superhero-based TV series can achieve in its first season. The goal of this show wasn't just to pay tribute to fanservice, or introduce a ton of characters into the Marvel world; rather, what we get is a heart-wrenching exposition spread out beautifully that tells us everything we need, and want, to know about Matthew Murdock. Beyond this, we are introduced to one of the most terrifying comic-based villains there is, King Pin. D'onofrio's ability to have you on the edge of your seat by just by existing in a scene is textbook. Another key element to this show is that whenever we're introduced to a new character on the side of the good, or even the bad, we get to know about the connections they have. We learn about what's important to them, what drives them, and what they will strive for no matter the danger that lies ahead. And this danger is not something that's cheap, as we find in multiple parts of this season that no character is in fact safe. It's always sad to see characters we learn to love and root for get taken out in brutal ways, but I appreciate that plot armor will not be found in Hell's Kitchen.... well except on Mr. Murdock perhaps. Overall, this first season does a great job introducing us to the charismatic Matthew Murdock, and the highly skilled, relentless Daredevil, along with a studded cast of exciting and lovable characters. Being able to have this strong of a storyline in a superhero based TV series that lasts almost twice as long as most others in the same realm is truly an impressive accomplishment. Foggy is just the cherry on top, too.

Is it me or does it feel like Marvel is taking over the world? Based on the first episode here, it's definitely not a bad thing! Superheroes are the norm now and we have more and more coming on the big screen and small, what's key though, is how you make the fans like them. Marvel saw this opportunity in Peggy Carter and took a smart risk there...and here it is also onto a winner here as Matt Murdoch fits the bill nicely as a likable character, yet has dark enough moments to please most.

The show isn't dark, but is feels gritty, which gives it a more real and personal feel. The fight sequences were well choreographed and provided possibly my favourite moments when shown in slow-mo.

Whereas the other Marvel films/shows are bigger and louder, Daredevil works fine as a more "local" setting, which gives it a fresher feeling. This is not someone who will save the world, but more like a local vigilante and that makes it different and interesting from the others.

It's still only the first episode but the show has great potential. Looking forward to the next episodes!

"Into the Ring" is the pilot that kicks off this show and gives first impressions. With Marvel recently just aired Agent Carter which was received very well and of course the still ongoing Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which has gained quality in its new season however many are still divided towards it. Meanwhile, DC in TV has been excellent, they have a huge audience with them and they have been completely destroying Marvel in TV standards. Marvel had to step up their game in TV, sure Agent Carter was a step up, but they needed more to compete with DC. Then came this show which I gave a shot as I want to see Marvel's go at a show now focusing on a main superhero, and boy did I like this one.

The episode instantly starts with (of course) the origin story. I thought that the origin story was gonna take about 1/4 or 1/2 of the episode and it would just drag on. But then something magical happened, it didn't. Just like the Flash, the origin was sped up (pun intended) and they cut the crap and basically said: you know the basics, he's a guy who's blind, a vigilante, he's skilled, you've seen this a lot of times, now shut up and enjoy the episode, and I particularly liked that about the episode. The audience don't need another extremely long origin, you know what'll happen it's basic stuff. To fill in those minor gaps and add depth to Matt Murdock, the episode also uses flashbacks to develop and get to know things in life that might be valuable in times of danger and I'm sure there'll be more flashbacks in more episodes. Charlie Cox was okay as Daredevil, I can't say much since it's his first episode so far, but eventually he will warm up to me and he will improve even further. The action sequences are one of the highlights of the episode. They were shot well and thank god for minimal shaky cam. The choreography was a lot like from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and that's saying a lot because the action in that movie was mind-blowing and intense especially in hand to hand combat action. The episode also gives you a look through the crime world wherein Matt Murdock lives in especially towards the end of the episode. With brilliant editing and brilliant music, it truly brings you in to the crime world that you are about to witness through this show. The episode also feels like a crime thriller rather than a superhero show. It's like The Dark Knight wherein it focuses more in the world of crime and corruption with Batman thrown in it, the same is the case for Daredevil. I'm not saying it's bad or anything, but it's special since shows like The Flash or Arrow are purely superhero shows and focuses on the superhero and comical stuff. While this show focuses on the atmosphere and crime world that makes it different from these DC shows. I'm excited for this show and potential is very strong within it. DC's army should get ready, Marvel has a Daredevil in TV now.

+Taking cues from DC shows and Marvel movies, +It cut the crap, you know the basics of Daredevil, +Flashbacks, +No overly long and dragged origin story, +Good Daredevil, +Excellent and intense hand to hand combat action Sequences, +A crime thriller.

Verdict: 9.4/10