With the sudden explosion in popularity of comic book based films, the movie industry has been hard pressed to please the presently diversified audience. Such fantastical films as Spiderman, X men and The Crow, appealed to both hardcore fanatics and tyrannical movie critics alike. Produced by 20th Century Fox, Daredevil, the newest addition to the growing array of superhero films, has failed to satisfy even die-hard fans.

“I had high hopes for this movie,” Brandon Diaso, ’05, said. “I am a huge fan of Daredevil, and had hoped that the movie would live up to the high standard set by the award-winning comic book. Needless to say, I was very disappointed.”

Ben Affleck plays Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer whose secret identity is Daredevil, the man without fear. Inspired by the murder of his father, Jack ‘The Devil’ Murdock (David Keith), Matt devotes his life to bringing criminals to justice.

Matt falls in love with Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner), an enticing martial arts expert and daughter of Ambassador Nikolaos Natchios (Erick Avari), an undercover business agent for The Kingpin Mafia.

“The relationship between Daredevil and Elektra was not properly developed and when they were separated by death, I didn’t know the characters well enough to care,” April Chapple, ’06, said. “Neither were suited for their roles and this led to a poor romantic escapade and an uninterested audience.”

Affleck’s performance is lacking in many areas, most noticeably in his multiple stumbles during poorly synchronized battle scenes. While Garner is flawless in her physical performance and appearance, she is nothing but a brainless beauty, delivering her lines with little enthusiasm and further contributing to the overall monotony of the film.

“The role of superhero did not fit Affleck at all,” Michael Abajian, ’04, said. “Garner was unemotional in her deliverance and did not live up to the eloquent role of Elektra. Overall, the film was boring and was an utter waste of my time and money.”

When Elektra’s father turns his back on The Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan), hit-man Bullseye (Colin Farell) is hired to take him out. In short, Daredevil is framed for Nikolaos’ death, Elektra devotes her life to avenging her father, discovers Daredevil’s true identity and that Bullseye is her father’s assassin, attacks him and gets killed.

Following this unpredictable chain of events, Daredevil, after being critically wounded yet consumed with mad rage and spurred on by his undying devotion to Elektra, kills Bullseye, then puts Kingpin in jail.

Moviegoers expecting to view a brilliantly directed film featuring exceptional acting and wonderfully coordinated special effects will be dreadfully disappointed. Director Mark Steven Johnson botched a perfect opportunity to produce a blockbuster, warping the story of Daredevil into a pointless journey of heroism.

Poor camera angles, a weak script, horribly choreographed stunts and a lamentable lack of cohesion contribute to the inevitable failure of the film.

Daredevil receives a D-. Please people, don’t waste your money on this film. While I was laughing during the entirety of the film, it was not due to witty humor, but to the overall dreadfulness which was displayed in every frame.

Daredevil is currently playing at Edwards Stadium 21 in the Riverpark shopping center. For more information on this film, students can go online at www.daredevilmovie.com.