It’s crazy to think that it’s been a decade since Daredevil first appeared on Netflix and 7 years since it was cancelled. After years of fan campaigns and multiple cameos, Charlie Cox and Vincent D’onofrio are finally back in Daredevil Born Again on Disney+.
Fans were excited and nervous for this return. They were worried that the show wouldn’t be as violent or gritty as it was on Netflix now that it’s produced by Disney. I can assure you that’s not the case. Daredevil Born Again doesn’t hold any punches when it comes to blood and violence, but I can’t say it quite lives up to the standard the first seasons set.
We’re two episodes in, and it’s already one of the best MCU shows. The episodes feel episodic and like I’m watching an actual TV show rather than a long movie. This gives me strong confidence that Marvel’s future shows will feel similar. The premiere starts the season’s story off strong as far as Disney+ shows go, but I can’t help but feel like something’s missing.
Daredevil Born Again Holds Nothing Back
The action is great so far. The choreography is much of what you’d expect and there’s just as much blood as before. What’s fun is that they now have an MCU level budget. That means Daredevil swinging and flipping around New York City like we never got to see him do before.
The first issue I had with these episodes is the CGI. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely noticeable in a couple of scenes. The cinematography as a whole has a much shinier and glossier look than the Netflix show did. It’s an adjustment coming from that grounded and gritty look. Still, filming on the streets of New York adds a lot to the scenes. It’s a big improvement over other MCU projects and their overreliance on green screen.
There hasn’t been a standout fight scene in the way each of the Netflix seasons did, but it’s still early. Hopefully we’ll get something to rival the hallway sequence eventually. Regardless, I’m just happy to be getting new Daredevil action again.
Charlie Cox and Vincent D’onofrio Don’t Miss a Beat
The acting is perhaps the greatest part so far. Charlie Cox is as good as ever as Matt Murdock/Daredevil. He’s charming but brilliantly hides a deeper pain/conflict inside that eats away at him. Vincent D’onofrio proves he’s the only one who can play Kingpin. The character’s story is very timely and Vincent’s performance makes it feel natural instead of preachy.
Daredevil Born Again proves that bringing these actors back wasn’t just the right choice but the only choice. It would’ve have worked without them. I only wish the show gave them a little more to work with.
My biggest problem isn’t so much with the story as it is the pacing. The scenes in these two episodes are quick to the point. They rarely take a minute to breathe. It’s a shame because the small character moments are what made the original seasons so good. There were many times that I wanted to sit with a scene longer. I think it would’ve helped flesh out the story and dive deeper into each character’s internal conflicts.
One part about these episodes that was fascinating is that you can see the show’s original direction. Marvel was very open about the show’s creative overhaul halfway during production to make it connect to the Netflix show. It was a great move, but the seams definitely show.
There are plenty of brand new characters that make it feel like a soft reboot if it weren’t for the way Foggy and Karen were shoehorned in at the start. It’s interesting to speculate on what the show was originally going to be like, but that’s a discussion for another time. I’m hoping that the returning characters play a more pivotal role as the season goes on.
The Verdict
The first two episodes of Daredevil Born Again mark a solid return for The Man Without Fear, but it has a long way to go if it wants to match the heights of the Netflix series. As far as MCU series go, this is without a doubt one of the best, though I think I enjoyed Loki more so far.
Episodes 1 and 2 of Daredevil Born Again are streaming now on Disney+. New episodes every Tuesday.
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