Daredevil: Born Again Review: Let Them cook

It’s been seven years since Daredevil’s three-season run on Netflix. With its gripping story, intense action and stellar performances, the show quickly became a fan-favourite. Fans have been vying for the show’s return after it was abruptly cancelled. So it only makes sense that Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel’s reboot following multiple creative changes comes amidst much anticipation and apprehension. Created by Dario Scardapane, the show marks Charlie Cox’s return to Hell’s Kitchen as Matt Murdock aka Daredevil alongside Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin. The roster hype-worthy includes Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle aka the Punisher, Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page and Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson, among others. The series takes everything that’s great about Daredevil’s original run and sprinkles enough new arcs and elements to stir up the characters’ story within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.

A gritty, grounded story

The one thing Daredevil: Born Again maintains across 9 episodes (all made available for review) is its grounded narrative. The show tells a distinctly New York story along with a superhero story. Seldom do we see the city depicted like this in some of the larger spectacles within the MCU. It opens with Matt Murdock back at his law practice and drops enough recap dialogues as a refresher course for returning fans and an introduction to newer viewers. After an unthinkable tragedy, Murdock is forced to choose between leading the relatively normal life of a lawyer and going back to his vigilante ways. He must also contend with his violent nature. The plot cleverly brings out this dilemma by digging deeper than ever into Matt’s inner world. Tension mounts as he goes about the city with his heightened senses owing to his visual impairment, trying to avoid violence (until he cannot). And one can instantly sense it right from Murdock’s first catch-up with Fisk, who is poised to be the mayor. Loaded with chemistry, the scene is fresh proof of why Daredevil has a perfectly-cast ensemble.

The show lingers on questions about vigilantism as Matt Murdock dons his suit and mask once again. But as the end-credits roll on each episode, it becomes clear that it’s so much more than that. It’s a story about Matt’s darkness, the repercussions of Wilson Fisk’s appointment as Mayor and the state of the citizens. Moreover, the show never forgets that Matt is a great lawyer. Born Again sticks to its character’s roots and unleashes a nail-biting courtroom drama, reminding us why audiences cheered so loud when he made that brief appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Some of the most intriguing subplots come to life when Matt defends Hector Ayala aka White Tiger played by the late Kamar de los Reyes in court. We also get to see Fisk’s marital conflicts with Vanessa, played by Ayelet Zurer, and how they collide with his ploy for acquiring more power. With Cox and D’Onorfio as co-leads, the makers manage to give us a nuanced watch over a series of intense action sequences.

Born Again returns to form with brutal action

Back when the creative overhaul was announced, fans were skeptical about how much of the original show’s brutality will make it to the Disneyfied reboot at Marvel Studios. However, the fandom can rest assured that Matt Murdock has not lost his penchant for a good fight. The action sequences are just as bloody and intense, retaining much of the potency of the first three seasons. It’s as thrilling as it gets. That being said, the show does have its weak moments like repeating Murdock’s hesitant vigilante arc. It will take a couple of episodes before viewers forgive the repetition. It won’t take long given the context of a floundering MCU at the movies and all the messy multiversal drama.

The aptly titled Daredevil: Born Again is a solid comeback for the man without fear. Hell’s Kitchen has missed its flawed, powerful and unflinchingly human characters. Luckily, we more or less get to catch up with them right where we left off.

The first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are available to stream on JioHotstar. 

See Also: Daredevil Born Again: Where & When To Watch The New Marvel SeriesDaredevil: Born Again marks Charlie Cox’s return as Matt Murdock. Continue reading …Read More