Daredevil: Director's Cut DVD Review:

After a chemical spill sends him blind at twelve years old, Matt Murdock (Affleck) discovers that his other senses have become almost superhuman in quality. His hearing now works more like a radar sense allowing him to see sounds, making him react quicker to any situation. He grows up to be a lawyer, defending the defenceless but when justice fails them he punishes them in his own way. You see Matt Murdock has a darker side. He is a man without fear, taking the law into his own hands. He is Daredevil.

After pressure from the studio to quicken the pace of the movie, writer director Mark Steven Johnson was forced to make some changes to the
theatrical cut of 'Daredevil' but now he has been given the chance to go make and complete his original vision but does this create a better film?

With over 30 minutes restored to the film and some scenes removed altogether, we now have a more complete adaptation of the man without fear. Instead of the revenge movie theme that seemed to run through the original release we now have a movie that reveals more of Matt Murdock and not just him distributing justice in a red suit. We now see him more in court with a
complete storyline that was removed from the first edit. This secondary plot shows us more of the power of the Kingpin, revealing his long reach into every facet of criminal activity in Hell's Kitchen and most of New York. This gives the movie a greater balance and makes the characters a lot more developed and rounded.

The director's cut gives you the chance to see more of the main characters and some of the smaller ones from the film. As well as seeing more of Matt Murdock out of the costume in court, we also see his as the investigator, tracking down leads and making connections that will not only help his case but also lead him ultimately to the Kingpin. This increased out of costume
activity means we also get to see more of Jon Favreau as Foggy Nelson. We now get the chance to see Favreau shine and bring his comedic talents to the fold. We also see more of Joe Pantoliano as reporter Ben Urich,
investigating the Daredevil and the Kingpin. Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin himself also gets more scenes. In the original we never really saw what a
treat he can be but this version shows you how he got his reputation and how powerful a man he really is. As a bonus we also get to see more of Colin Farrell's brilliant Bullseye, laughing as he comes up with even more ingenious items to make into weapons.

While some Daredevil fans may have been disappointed with the original cut of his first big screen outing, this extended version should enough to do much to appease the devotees of the man without fear. With more character
development, a whole new storyline that adds more to the character and a much better flow to the entire film, this is a director's cut that really
does improve the film and gives us the true screen version of Daredevil.

Star Rating = * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic with a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 or dts soundtracks, the transfer is extremely good. The picture is crystal clear, even during the night scenes as Hell's Kitchen comes to life on the big screen. The sound is also extremely good, especially when Daredevil 'sees' what is going on with his own unique sound vision.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary by Writer/Director Mark Steven Johnston
The man at the helm is joined by producer and head of Marvel film entertain Avi Arad for a chatty and fun commentary for the director's cut of the film. The pair point out the differences between the original and extended version, revealing why the changes were made and the reasoning behind the extra scenes. Johnston explains his original vision for the character and
his love of the source material, revealing how this version enhances the characters and brings the real Matt Murdock to the silver screen. This is an
informative and detailed commentary from two men who feel very passionate about seeing the completed version on DVD.

Giving the Devil his due: The Making of Daredevil: Director's Cut (15.25
mins)
Writer/Director Mark Steven Johnston and producers Gary Foster and Avi Arad talk about the differences between the theatrical and director's cuts of the film. With comparisons between the two versions and highlighting the changes between made to this cut, we get the explanations for the two versions from the director and Gary Foster, the studio representative who enforced them in the first place.

OVERALL

With all the making of... material on the original release, Fox have not included any of it in the director's cut release and to be fare, it is not
needed. Fans of the film would have already have bought the theatrical version and wouldn't have liked to have two lots of the same bonus material.
For everyone else, they now have the dilemma of which one to buy. The Director's cut is the best and most complete version of the movie and should be the one you buy, if you are a Daredevil or comic book fan. This is the version that really gives the devil his due.



Jamie Kelwick