Daredevil Season 2: The Early Reviews Are In
Storming into the room and immediately pounding every living thing in the face in one long tracking shot of violent, giddy joy, the Daredevil Season 2 early reviews are in, and the verdict is…
…if you liked the first season, you’ll love the second one.
Praising its cinematic looks – which are said to put some of its cinematic cousins to shame - and newly extended cast (as well as the rather awkward looking new costume) Den of Geek had some reservations but overall, were impressed by the new series.
“All Daredevil season 2 lacks is the sense of heart-pounding urgency that Jessica Jones delivered in its best moments. Daredevil is a far more deliberate affair by design, and it suffers a little for it (but only a little),” they said.
It’s those flaws – carried over from the first season – that stop it from being completely perfect.
“On the other hand, Daredevil is more cinematic in its visual approach, so the whole Netflix "urban superhero drama" genre isn't supposed to be a one size fits all affair. Flaws and all, Daredevil is still the most ambitious live action superhero project around, and even the things I don't love are the result of a series willing to take risks that I can't imagine other franchises would.”
Variety are just as positive – although they concede that the show takes a while to find its feet (after all, it did switch showrunners this year).
“Binge viewing becomes the second season of “Daredevil.” After a mostly top-notch debut on Netflix, Marvel’s Man Without Fear begins season two on an uneven note, occasionally feeling as if he’s taken a detour from dark and gritty into the realm of Sam Peckinpah movies, complete with slow-motion bullets and blood sprays. Stick with it, though, and the show blossoms, featuring a few terrific action sequences while introducing into this grim world seminal characters the Punisher and Elektra – both mostly victimized by earlier feature adaptations. So far, the Marvel/Netflix collaboration has brought a nifty dimension to both parties.
“By that measure, these Netflix programs have already leapfrogged ABC’s forays into the Marvel universe in terms of their appeal, in part by tapping into the avid fan base that supports pay models and doesn’t need to be spoon-fed plot points. In the process, they have demonstrated that it’s possible to deliver a credible superhero show without a lot of pyrotechnics – a “Daredevil” with enough sure-footed elements to survive the occasional season-two stumble.”
Both reviews speak highly of the casting of Jon Bernthal’s as the Punisher but it’s Élodie Yung Elektra that seems to be the breakout star. Nerd Repository believes it more than makes up for the middling on screen version, played by Jennifer Garner in Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005).
“Season 2 moves along at a quicker pace than Season 1, and the introduction to iconic characters like The Punisher and Elektra (Élodie Yung) really spice up the early episodes. Speaking of the lady in red, fans should be quite pleased with this extremely faithful incarnation of the character, as Yung is visually ripped from the panels of a Frank Miller comic. She looks the part and plays it with confidence, seduction and dangerous intrigue. Oh, and she can kick ass too. Naturally. There’s real, palpable chemistry between Yung and Cox, and whenever they’re onscreen together there’s an air of danger along with a feeling of a loss of control – for both characters.”
It’s not just the brutal combat that’s impressed reviewers, the dialogue – or rather then pregnant pauses between battling, opposing foes, is just as riveting.
“Even more impressive is the dialogue-only scenes between Cox and Bernthal, which come across more riveting than the punches and explosions,” said Nerd Repository. “The episodes definitely slow down when necessary, and the scripts really capture the essence of each character, allowing Cox and Bernthal to run with the material and create gripping, emotional – even desperate – conversations between two men, both trying to find retribution. These moments are wonderfully true to each character, and just fascinating to watch.”
And yes, there is an attempt to top that bruising corridor fight from season one, and yes, it’s pretty amazing.
“[An early episode] includes an incredible fight sequence early on that was clearly meant to top the insane hallway fight from Season 1,” said Nerd Repository. “I don't think I will praise it quite that high – it's close – but the ante is definitely upped in this sequence, and the choreography and carnage are undeniably badass.
Daredevil Season 2 is released in the US and UK March 18.