‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Review: Disney+’s Marvel Series Is More of the Same, Mostly for the Better

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In the initial encounter between adversaries Matt Murdock (portrayed by Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) in Disney+’s “Daredevil: Born Again”, both characters assert that they are no longer the individuals they once were. Matt, grappling with an unbearable catastrophe, declares his days as a vigilante are behind him. Wilson, pursuing the position of New York City mayor, professes to have renounced his criminal underworld lifestyle.

There’s not a shred of doubt in either one’s mind about the other, nor should there be any for us. This series only persists because the characters must repeatedly regress; if they ever managed to grow beyond their stereotypical superhero and supervillain personas, there would no longer be anything worth watching.

However, that familiarity often carries a dual nature. The very consistency that gives Born Again its best moments their appeal can likewise confine it to a state of perpetual preservation.

In a twist from its slightly revised name and fresh creative minds – Dario Scardapane as showrunner, with Matt Corman and Chris Ord also credited as creators – “Daredevil: Born Again” is not a spin-off of the Netflix series “Daredevil”, but rather a direct continuation. Although the original “Daredevil” concluded its three-season run in 2018, neither Charlie Cox’s Daredevil nor Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin have truly vanished; they’ve made appearances in Disney+ shows such as “Echo”, “Hawkeye”, “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” and even the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home”.

Although a lot has transpired for them since their last major showdown, it’s comforting to realize that fundamentally, not much has altered about their dynamics. In simpler terms, you won’t need to revisit the initial Daredevil series before delving into this one. Initially, Born Again provides a sense of satisfaction similar to visiting an old neighborhood. Admittedly, the diner may have transformed into a SoulCycle, and perhaps some local news has slipped by. Yet, it’s delightful to notice that many familiar faces continue to inhabit the same streets, engaged in their usual activities.

As a fan, I find Fisk exercising absolute power, almost like a tyrant, but not like the Iron Fist who thankfully isn’t around. He frequently makes strong statements about “the city” and seems to be infatuated with his wife, Vanessa, portrayed by Ayelet Zurer. On the other hand, Matt is dedicating himself to championing the underdog in court. Now he’s working independently with his buddies Foggy (Elden Henson) and Karen (Deborah Ann Woll). Eventually, I expect him to don the mask again and take to the streets, all the while wrestling with his own inner turmoil about his penchant for violence.

When he engages in combat, it becomes challenging to resist the primitive joy of witnessing the Man Without Fear brutally defeat nameless minions, with John Paesano’s iconic theme echoing in the background (The Newton Brothers compose for Born Again). Although these hallway fights under soft lighting may not offer freshness, they largely compensate by stirring up nostalgia. Just as before, the skillful choreography by Philip Silvera reveals both his fatigue – the sightless Daredevil may possess heightened senses, but he’s no indestructible Wolverine – and his deep-rooted pain.

Should some conflicts occasionally feature characters from other Marvel universes, that’s even more exciting. In its most joyful instances, Born Again evokes a period when the joint continuity project retained an air of fun. Initially, the narrative maintains a clear focus, making brief crossovers such as Matt’s brief collaboration with a minor Ms. Marvel character feel like a delightful reminder of the vastness of this cinematic world, rather than a symptom of excessive interconnectedness.

Similar to numerous titles within this sprawling 20-year franchise, Born Again excels at hinting at great promise but falls short in delivering it. It’s not just that these nine episodes represent only half of an intended 18-episode series; even for a show that relies on its sense of familiarity, it’s disappointing to see so few unexpected elements and many squandered opportunities throughout the narrative.

Characters such as Matt’s therapist love interest Heather (played by Margarita Levieva) and Gen Z journalist BB “niece of Ben” Urich (portrayed by Genneya Walton) make a strong impact at first, but later on, they seem to lose depth as they become mere pieces in the continuous chess match between Matt and Fisk. Elements like BB’s street interviews or plots involving corrupt officials and police brutality feel more like attempts to create a tougher image for the series instead of genuine efforts to explore deeper themes. Additionally, despite their denials, the parallel paths of Matt and Fisk do not offer much novelty in terms of character development.

What makes Born Again stand out from monotony is the same quality that made Daredevil popular initially. One aspect is D’Onofrio, who has continued to excel as Fisk. His combination of brutish elegance might seem similar to what it was a decade ago, but it remains consistently captivating; with him, even an ordinary act like eating sole meunière can appear charged with hidden potential.

Another character featured in the series is Cox. His compelling portrayal, complemented by exceptional writing that truly highlights his talent, serves as the backbone of the entire show. Remarkably, Cox carries this weight with ease while navigating his character’s complex journey across the cityscape. Much like countless superheroes before him, Cox imbues Daredevil with a sense of angst and aggression. However, he also infuses him with an undeniable charm, even a touch of levity, that makes him all the more captivating – it’s as if we’re privileged to recognize his seemingly ordinary nature, while everyone else seems oblivious to the same trait.

Remarkably skillful is the actor’s knack for creating an immediate connection with virtually anyone, be it Matt sharing light-hearted banter with a cherished co-star (Nikki M. James as Kirsten), clashing fiercely with his adversary/nemesis Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) or playing coy during brief exchanges with a temporary character, a law clerk who appears only to vanish. These on-screen encounters between Matt and his co-stars crackle with the possibility of blossoming into something unforeseen – perhaps even guiding Matt towards the more stable, contented, less violent persona he’s always aspired to become.

It’s clear that he won’t make it there. He simply can’t, as his presence would disrupt the show. This is the price one pays for being a fan of Daredevil – loving the series means wishing its resilient hero to keep battling his inner demons indefinitely, with no end to his struggles in sight.

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2025-03-05 05:25