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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 2.35:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: DTS 5.1 Surround
  • Commentary - English: Dolby Digital Surround
  Subtitles
    English - Hearing Impaired, Commentary - English
  Extras
  • Teaser trailer
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Audio commentary
  • Featurette
  • Photo gallery
  • Animated menus
  • Music video
  • Behind the scenes footage
  • Multiple angle

Daredevil - Director's Cut

20th Century Fox/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 128 mins . M15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

In what appears to be an increasing trend with Hollywood these days, Daredevil makes its second appearance on DVD in a new daring vision; Fox’s words not mine! The theatrical cut was more or less universally panned, not for betraying its comic origins, for which it did to a small degree. I can live with that, instead the chief complaint was the narrative mess of the story which appeared to be a collection of strung together plot points that had no real sense of urgency or gravitas.

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Mr Johnson, you get a burning sensation?
Fox wanted a quick in & out 95 minute flick and as a result the story unfortunately took a back seat. The new cut addresses the above problems and provides a more engaging and clear story with the additional 30 minutes of new footage as well as the deletion of some scenes no longer needed.

The story is your typical comic book rise to hero status of a young boy growing up in Hell’s Kitchen that was blinded by a freak accident and as a result of his blindness has developed a heightened sense of hearing which gives him extraordinary abilities. All grown up now, by Day Matt Murdock (Ben Affleck) is a lawyer looking after the little people of Hell’s Kitchen, by night he is Daredevil: a one man army against crime.

The main problem with the original cut in my opinion is the chief villain, The Kingpin, who’s influence and power over Hell’s Kitchen didn’t really come across. There is now a whole new subplot featuring Coolio the rapper as Daunte Jackson who is accused of murder that is in someway connected to the Kingpins criminal organisation that Matt and his partner Foggy Nelson (Jon Favreau) defend. As the two investigate the murder they slowly find out just how far The Kingpins reach is in da Hood.

The romance between Matt & Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner) has been tamed down a touch by the removal of the “Love Scene”. And there are a whole lot of other minor inclusions that give the film a lot more life with some of the characters having more screen time than previously giving you the opportunity to get more involved with them.

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Stare at finger, cross-eyed me gets.
Bullseye, played with a disturbing amount of nastiness by Colin Farrell, gets more time here also and is a riot to watch. In fact I think he is one of the better comic book villains to make it to the big screen. Bring on a Bullseye flick I say!

"I want a f*%king costume!"

  Video
Contract

Presented in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with 16:9 enhancement, this is a reference transfer. Not much has changed since the original release even with the extended running time of the feature, with this disc's bit budget now allocated to the audio and video almost exclusively instead of the enhanced viewing modes and supplements that can be found on the theatrical cut DVD.

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George Lucas goes Green Mile Special Edition.
Colour detail is vivid with no obvious bleeding and black levels hold up well during the night scenes. Small object detail is excellent also even with the minor amount of film grain present, which only really shows itself up during the darker moments in the film. Not a fault of the transfer in my opinion only adding to the tone and look of the film

  Audio
Contract

Like the first release on DVD, this new cut features Dolby Digital 5.1 and a DTS 5.1 track also. Given that the story is about a blind superhero that makes use of his extraordinary hearing abilities the audio should be paramount in demonstrating this, and it hits the bullseye! These are reference soundtracks with only a slight preference towards the DTS track for it's deeper bass and overall tonality. The sound design for Daredevil is excellent and uses the soundstage to the fullest throughout the film.

There are a number of directional cues that are sent to the rears along with pans between the front and rear channels that will give your system a solid workout. There is hardly be a moment where are all channels aren't doing something.

  Extras
Contract

A new audio commentary has been recorded that features Director Mark Steven Johnson with Marvel Chief Avi Arad. It's a good listen and both serve up a trainspotter’s guide to the new scenes as well as the scenes no longer included. Both are very humble in pointing out what they thought worked and didn't work in both versions of the film. From a Fanboy perspective I would've loved to have heard Kevin Smith included in this yack-track; Big Kev was instrumental in getting Affleck to play Daredevil and gave Johnson plenty of kudos in getting the film made. Not too mention also recently writing for the comic.

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Jennifer Garner, alias Elektra.

On disc 1 there is brief Featurette titled Giving The Devil his Due (15:26) that details the differences between the two versions featuring interviews with the crew justifying the two cuts of the film with snippets of the new scenes and ones that have been excised. I'd recommend watching this after the film to avoid giving anything away, especially if this is your first dance with the Devil so to speak.

As for the extras on Disc 2 they are exactly the same as what was issued previously in the Daredevil 2 - Disc Special Edition that was reviewed upon it's release. If you have managed to hold out and wait for the director's cut it's paid off with the only things missing from this new release being the original commentaries that accompany the theatrical cut as well as the enhanced viewing mode. If you are a Daredevil fan hungry for extras then grab both versions, with the cost of both versions totaling a price similar to a full priced new release DVD these days.

  Overall  
Contract

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Budgetman - Can't afford cape.
This new cut of Daredevil is a much fuller and darker version of the film. Characters and plot are allowed plenty of space to develop rather than the somewhat incoherent breakneck speed that was the romantic revenge caper of the theatrical cut.

Both cuts can however co-exist comfortably in one's collection in this reviewers opinion, with the Theatrical cut being something of an indulgence to share with the better half with all it's romantic interludes involving Ms Garner. While the extended cut might prove a little bleak for her and best suited to fans of the comic.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=5131
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      And I quote...
    "This new cut of Daredevil is a much fuller and darker version of the film."
    - Anthony Bethell
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS780
    • Projector:
          Infocus 4805 DLP Projector
    • Screen:
          LP Morgan Galleria 95" 16:9 fixed screen
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DB795
    • Speakers:
          Sony SS-MF650HM
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony CR550HM
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SS-550HM
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SA-WM500M
    • Audio Cables:
          MaxCable Optical
    • Video Cables:
          MaxCable Component
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