Unfortunately, it looks like the Marvel TV productions are all eventually coming to a close. One of those that ended prematurely despite there being clear plans in the works for a subsequent, in this case, fourth season was one of the Netflix Marvel TV series, Daredevil.
Last fall was one where many fans were left with broken hearts when the news dropped that Netflix would not be renewing Marvel's Daredevil for a fourth season. This was especially heartbreaking to many because, not only did the series produce quality seasons (with some better than others, of course), but season three was a masterclass to the majority of critics and fans. Here are 10 reasons why Daredevil is a must-watch series.
The Actors' Performance
Obviously, you can't have a live-action production of any kind, whether it be a movie, television series, play, etc., without actors. And Marvel's Daredevil on Netflix brings actors to the small screen that truly pack a punch in terms of their acting chops. Each one of the actors involved put their best foot forward in their performances.
They each bring forward a drive and passion for the role at hand more than worthy of an Emmy award. Particular attention should be paid to Charlie Cox as the titular superhero and Vincent D'Onofrio as the Kingpin. Both performances are jaw-dropping and keep the viewer's eyes glued to the screen.
The Source Material
This entry in particular is a nod season one of Marvel's Daredevil. However, season two and three are no slouches at all either. Season one especially pays homage toward the source material regarding Daredevil's origins, particularly with the author Frank Miller's work in his telling of the titular superhero's origins.
And that is with Miller's work in the legendary Daredevil piece of writing, The Man Without Fear. The first season of the series does well in taking inspiration from this particular comic book, right down to the makeshift outfit Matt Murdock dons.
One Of The Best Superhero Revivals
No one can forget the blotch on the character's big-screen history and reputation that was the 2003 film starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. The character of Daredevil, admittedly, wasn't nearly as well known compared to other major Marvel characters and properties such as Spider-Man or the X-Men but had a good reputation thanks to the character's various solid comic book runs.
But after the 2003 movie, which was mostly regarded by fans and critics as a dud, the character needed a revival. And a revival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be a prime opportunity. The high quality of the final product reflected that.
The Kingpin
This factor of the Netflix Marvel television series absolutely deserves its own entry on this list. The villain portrayed by actor Vincent D'Onofrio, who served as the main antagonist of the majority of the series, particularly seasons one and three, is one of the strongest portrayals of a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and one of the best and most grounded villains that Marvel has effectively set up.
He brings power to the performance and the villain, Kingpin, is presented in a way that brings fear because of his presence in a way few actors can bring to a character.
A Gritty Tone
For those that are fans of more serious, gritty, and dark stories, look no further than Marvel's Daredevil. While the majority of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is kept in PG-13 areas and can be quite lighthearted by nature, this series offers something different.
Daredevil adopts a tone similar to that of DC and Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy. Fans that want a nice change of pace for something grittier and more serious will feel right at home with this series. However, that is not to say that Daredevil doesn't have more lighthearted, and even heartwarming moments, because that is there as well.
A More Grounded Story
Another welcome change of pace of Marvel's Daredevil from other works in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the fact that the story is overall more grounded and realistic. With the character of Daredevil being a more tame superhero in terms of what his abilities are, the story reflects that.
Ultimately, the bulk of the series is about a lawyer by day turned superhero by night taking it upon himself to bring down one of the city's most notorious mob bosses who has a vice grip on the crimes that go down throughout Hell's Kitchen. That is a nice change of pace from constant intergalactic threats.
Street-Level Scale
Instead of the constant global or galaxy-wide conflicts affecting the world around them and the superheroes that occupy said worlds, Marvel's Daredevil takes things down to a much smaller scale adventure.
There is nothing wrong with a well done global or galactic-scaled action-adventure Marvel film, see The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy films as just a few examples. But while this is on the topic of welcome changes of pace, Daredevil brings things to a literal street or city level scale and that contributes well to adopt a grittier tone and have a more grounded story. This also helps give the series a more intimate feel.
Incredible Action
While the series itself can be also considered a television drama, since it involves a superhero, it is also an action and adventure series. After all, superhero fans, are expecting the titular hero to serve some hard, physical justice to the criminals he goes up against.
This series does not disappoint in that department. This is, in part, due to the excellent fight choreography done by the respective choreographers of the show. From the very start of the series, every action scene involving Matt Murdock donning his gear sees some incredibly hard-hitting sequences.
The Cinematography
An equal parts beautiful and thrilling aspect of the series is how well done the cinematography is throughout the entirety of the show. Every significant shot is done so well, particularly throughout the action scenes. They help to enthrall and captivate the viewer's attention to the scene that is going on.
Without a doubt, the particular moments that come to mind are the few fights that go from roughly four to up to ten-minute-long action scenes sprinkled in throughout seasons one through three. They're done in a single take; a truly impressive feat and they leave the audience amazed throughout.
He's Like Marvel's Street-Level Batman
If any fan of DC's character Batman, and in particular Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, watches Marvel's Daredevil, they are bound to at least find something that they like both about the series itself and the character it is centered around.
Obviously, this isn't the first time on this list that a comparison has been made between the two characters. Historically, both are forged through strength out of their tragedy and adopt similar tones in their most prolific stories. At times, it seems like Daredevil is like a street-level Batman.