Legacy Reviews- Elektra

[Legacy]

Jennifer Garner is a victim of type-casting. It doesn’t matter if she is Sydney Bristow on Alias, Elektra in Daredevil, or Elektra in Elektra, she always ends up kicking some major bad-guy booty. And she’s good at it, which is the most important part. She really seems to enjoy the job as a heroine, and that is one of the highlights in her new film.

Spinning off from the film Daredevil, Elektra starts off with the resurrected assassin finishing off her most recent target. Afterwards her agent, McCabe (Colin Cunningham) tells her about a new mark. Elektra reluctantly agrees and heads off to prepare for the job. While waiting though, she meets Mark (Goran Visnjic) and 13 year-old Abby (Kirsten Prout). She ends up befriending them, but soon discovers that they are her intended target. She refuses to do the job, and instead rescues them from another assassination attempt. Elektra finds herself protecting the two from an evil organization known as The Hand, who is after Abby who is a martial arts prodigy. Fights and visual effects soon follow.

It really is a compelling premise, and Jennifer Garner shines in the title role. Conveying an amazing since of depth and torment in her delivery, Garner almost makes you wonder why they bothered with Daredevil in the first place. The character is fully developed, and watching her grow becomes enjoyable. That’s a good thing too, because the rest of the acting isn’t that strong. Or maybe it is and Garner is just that good. It’s hard to say, but Garner really carries the film well and should be commended for.

And talk about a comic-book movie. This film is easily one of the most comic book films ever made. Director Rob Bowman does a great job of capturing the visual feel of his source material. The use of basic color-scheme backgrounds, with strong contrasting shadows and lights makes the film look fantastic. And the fights are some of the most visually interesting ones that aren’t from a Japanese film. Also, the visual effects involving Hand members Tattoo and Typhoid are stunning.

The film looks great, which really helps over-power some of the cheesy dialogue. Granted, movies based on comics aren’t exactly known for great scripts, but I expect some things that are less predictable. Especially considering the strength of Garner, the compelling story and visual extravagance, the writing seems even weaker. It especially hurts the ending (“You gave me back mine.”-GAH! What is that?). It doesn’t completely ruin the movie, but it does affect my feelings towards it.

Overall this is one of the better Marvel movies. Using some of the symbolism that made Daredevil interesting (but nowhere near as heavy-handed), combined with great effects and stellar lead, Elektra is definitely entertaining and worth seeing. You just have to deal with the script.

3 OUT OF FOUR STARS

Overall Summary- It looks pretty. In fact it looks great. And Jennifer Garner does a great job. And the fights are awesome. The script is eh.

 

[NemoRocks78]

I think I'll wait for the DVD....the trailer didn't look appealing to me. By the way, how was the Fantastic Four trailer? I'm dying to see it, but the word going around is that it won't be online until sometime in the coming week.

I'll be seeing Coach Carter and Hotel Rwanda tomorrow.....planning on seeing those two anytime soon?

 

[DMC-12]

I'll be seeing Coach Carter and Hotel Rwanda tomorrow.....looking forward to it.

I have heard GREAT things about "Hotel Rwanda" from friends... I may go see it this weekend as well.

 

[Legacy]

I think I'll wait for the DVD....the trailer didn't look appealing to me. By the way, how was the Fantastic Four trailer? I'm dying to see it, but the word going around is that it won't be online until sometime in the coming week.

I'll be seeing Coach Carter and Hotel Rwanda tomorrow.....planning on seeing those two anytime soon?

Fantastic Four looked terrible. Awful. Hideous. I was so turned off by it.

And The Thing looks like a big rubber suit. Bleh. uke:

I'm planning on seeing Coach Carter tommorow. And then Racing Stripes and In Good Company the rest of the weekend. Hotel Rwanda looks great, but it isn't something I would go out of my way to see.

 

[Christina]

You actually liked it?

I definetely did not. Since its finals time here in Canada, and were off for "semester break", instead of studying. Here are my thoughts on it.

1. I thought Daredevil was a really bad movie. Period. And any spin-off from that is bound to be even worse. Also, the fact that they killed Elektra in the middle of the movie makes me a tad confuzzled about her having her own movie.

2. The script was a poor one - lots of cliches and unimaginative action.

3. The acting was sub-par, but to me, Jennifer Garner's acting is always sub-par. They only use it cos she's pretty. And the outfits they put her in? Please. I mean I know its a Marvel story... but c'mon.

4. The incability to relate this Elektra to Dare Devil's Elektra just made me mad.

Overall, this movie gets from me, 1 1/2 stars. And that half is only cos Jennifer Garner is hawt :animwink:

Haha sorry for totally disagreeing with you, Legacy. Just my opinon. And I also wish to be a film critic someday, so I thought i'd give it a quick shot.

 

[Not For Sale]

I HATED Daredevil, so I don't know about this one. I don't even think it did too well in theaters, so why make a spin-off of it? Also, I thought SPOILERS: Highlight to read died in Daredevil

 

[Legacy]

I definetely did not. Since its finals time here in Canada, and were off for "semester break", instead of studying. Here are my thoughts on it.

1. I thought Daredevil was a really bad movie. Period. And any spin-off from that is bound to be even worse. Also, the fact that they killed Elektra in the middle of the movie makes me a tad confuzzled about her having her own movie.

2. The script was a poor one - lots of cliches and unimaginative action.

3. The acting was sub-par, but to me, Jennifer Garner's acting is always sub-par. They only use it cos she's pretty. And the outfits they put her in? Please. I mean I know its a Marvel story... but c'mon.

4. The incability to relate this Elektra to Dare Devil's Elektra just made me mad.

Overall, this movie gets from me, 1 1/2 stars. And that half is only cos Jennifer Garner is hawt :animwink:

Haha sorry for totally disagreeing with you, Legacy. Just my opinon. And I also wish to be a film critic someday, so I thought i'd give it a quick shot.

Oh, I don't mind the disagreements (In fact I encourage them as long as they are plausible, which your's are). The thing is that I liked Daredevil. The writing was weak, and they took way too many liberties with the character designs, but I still thought it was good. As such, I enjoyed this one because it seemed to learn from some of Daredevil's mistakes (not as heavy in symbolism and more interesting characters). As such, the only thing that really got to me was the script. If the script was better, I would have added half a star.

One of the things that I rate my movies on is its own expectations. If the film doesn't expect to be Oscar worthy (like this and horror films), then I won't review them as such. I review within the genre. That causes the overall reviews to be swayed, but I think it also allows people to have a better idea of if they will really enjoy it. Most people like particular genres and styles, and I try to review to those individual taste.

I hope that makes sense, because I know not everybody totally agrees with the individual ratings. I hope this allows you, and others, to understand where I am coming from.

I look forward to discussing more movies with you though.

-Jeff

 

[dxwwf3]

I liked Daredevil, but I'm staying away from this one like the plague. It has a solid 06% from Rotten Tomatoes and the trailer makes this look like it might rival The Punisher for the title of Worst Comic Book Movie Ever. The whole theater was laughing out loud when I first saw the trailer for Elektra and that's never a good sign.

But different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[Legacy]

I liked Daredevil, but I'm staying away from this one like the plague. It has a solid 06% from Rotten Tomatoes and the trailer makes this look like it might rival The Punisher for the title of Worst Comic Book Movie Ever. The whole theater was laughing out loud when I first saw the trailer for Elektra and that's never a good sign.

But different strokes for different folks I guess.

Then stay away from Fantastic Four. It actually looks worse than Punisher.

 

[Christina]

=)

Oh, I don't mind the disagreements (In fact I encourage them as long as they are plausible, which your's are).

Thank you . For a seventeen year old, sometimes it can be hard to take your mind off the hot guy in the movie and FOCUS. But I try, I really do.

One of the things that I rate my movies on is its own expectations. If the film doesn't expect to be Oscar worthy (like this and horror films)

HEY! Watch it haha. Some of most favorite movies are the ones who can scare me... Silence of the Lamb, Das Experiment.... Scream haha...

I hope that makes sense, because I know not everybody totally agrees with the individual ratings. I hope this allows you, and others, to understand where I am coming from.

Yesssir. Although sometimes its difficult not to compare preformances and movies of like genres, every movie should be subjected to sort of their own guidlines...I mean you can't compare Elektra on the same bases as... oh lets say, Sideways. WHICH IS SO GOING TO WIN BEST MOTION PICTURE THIS YEAR. Who knew... a movie about wine!

I look forward to discussing more movies with you though.

Likewise :wave:

 

[Legacy]

I still need to see Sideways. I still say Finding Neverland will win... but that's without knowing the real competition. (Which is a shame... Ray was such a good movie...)

 

[Christina]

Oh my .. Finding Neverland

I still need to see Sideways. I still say Finding Neverland will win... but that's without knowing the real competition. (Which is a shame... Ray was such a good movie...)

Finding Neverland.. oh wow. I was really mad when I saw that Jamie Foxx won the Best Actor's award at the Critics Choice Award.. but then I realized that he deserved it. BUT STILL.

I am a HUGE fan of Johnny Depp as you can prolly already tell. He is a STUNNING actor and I am getting madder and madder that he has yet to win an award for anything. Pssht, he should of won the Oscar for Pirates.

And I mean, just look at him in Finding Neverland. He played the part incredibly and even brought me to tears at the end. He was really convincing, and the thing that always suprises me is the way that he seems to get BETTER and BETTER with each movie and has such variation.

Yes, Johnny deserves to win SOME kind of an award... prehaps he'll take home a Golden Globe?

Whatever. He'll always be number 1... (er 2 to Robert DeNiro) in my eyes.

 

[dxwwf3]

Then stay away from Fantastic Four. It actually looks worse than Punisher.

Yes I did the see the trailer for the Fantastic 4 and yes I thought it looked horrible. I thought it looked better than Elektra, but yes I will probably be avioiding that one as well. And I don't remember if I saw it on the trailer or on a pic on some movie site, but I DID like they way Dr. Doom looked though. Just like over at IOA :lol:

 

[Legacy]

Finding Neverland.. oh wow. I was really mad when I saw that Jamie Foxx won the Best Actor's award at the Critics Choice Award.. but then I realized that he deserved it. BUT STILL.

I am a HUGE fan of Johnny Depp as you can prolly already tell. He is a STUNNING actor and I am getting madder and madder that he has yet to win an award for anything. Pssht, he should of won the Oscar for Pirates.

And I mean, just look at him in Finding Neverland. He played the part incredibly and even brought me to tears at the end. He was really convincing, and the thing that always suprises me is the way that he seems to get BETTER and BETTER with each movie and has such variation.

Yes, Johnny deserves to win SOME kind of an award... prehaps he'll take home a Golden Globe?

Whatever. He'll always be number 1... (er 2 to Robert DeNiro) in my eyes.

I want Johnny to win for Finding Neverland and Foxx to win for Collateral. Depp deserves it more, especially considering Jamie Foxx is still a relatively young actor. Johnny Depp is just one of the most consistant actors in Hollywood. He ALWAYS delivers in roles that others would fall apart in. Now that he has done a classic, dramatic performance he deserves to win it from the Academy. Foxx was damn good in Ray, but I think this is Depp's year.

(Christina, I think we are going to have some GREAT discussions.)

 

[Christina]

Go Johnny Go!

I want Johnny to win for Finding Neverland and Foxx to win for Collateral. Depp deserves it more, especially considering Jamie Foxx is still a relatively young actor. Johnny Depp is just one of the most consistant actors in Hollywood. He ALWAYS delivers in roles that others would fall apart in. Now that he has done a classic, dramatic performance he deserves to win it from the Academy. Foxx was damn good in Ray, but I think this is Depp's year.

(Christina, I think we are going to have some GREAT discussions.)

Foxx was okay in Collateral. Personally, I fidgeted all throughout the movie and the guy I was with got fed up with me. BUT, it would be good for him to win Best Supporting Actor and leave the BEST ACTOR spot to Johnny.

With Johnny being consistant, I agree with you 139%. From Crybaby, to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, to Secret Window, to PIRATES, to Edward Sissorhands...(I could go on and on) ... he never ceases to amaze me with his diversity and how WELL he plays different characters.

And I agree on the great discussions part... what do you think of DiNero?

 

[Legacy]

And I agree on the great discussions part... what do you think of DiNero?

DiNero is a legend in the making. Since he is still making movies on a regular basis, people don't realize it. Once he lets off a little, people will REALLY start to realize how good the guy is. He just gets so into his roles. Everything he does is strong. Plus, he always develops great chemistry with his co-stars, which allows his films to become even better.

(I also like Christopher Walken, William Dafoe, and Dustin Hoffman.)

 

[Christina]

Haha, I know about the chemistry thing. Incredible. Have you seen Once Upon a Time In America? I've honestly never seen a better actor. That movie just skyrocketed him to my number one spot and he remains there. Maybe its just cos of my passion for mafia and gangster movies .. mmm mafia.

I have a problem with Dustin Hoffman. Now whenever I watch a movie with him, I always always ALWAYS picture him in Rainman... its odd.

Tom Cruise to me is also really good. A lot of his movies are very highly rated with me and critics world-wide and he also has amazing diversity.

 

[Legacy]

Haha, I know about the chemistry thing. Incredible. Have you seen Once Upon a Time In America? I've honestly never seen a better actor. That movie just skyrocketed him to my number one spot and he remains there. Maybe its just cos of my passion for mafia and gangster movies .. mmm mafia.

I have a problem with Dustin Hoffman. Now whenever I watch a movie with him, I always always ALWAYS picture him in Rainman... its odd.

Tom Cruise to me is also really good. A lot of his movies are very highly rated with me and critics world-wide and he also has amazing diversity.

Have you seen Meet the Fockers? Great movie. Better than the first one and Hoffman and DiNero are brilliant together.

I'm not a big fan of Cruise. I just think he is a little inconsistant in his role choices. He does good, but it isn't always the best. Collateral was one of the best performances I think he's done in a long time.

 

[Christina]

I'm going to see Meet the Fockers tommorrow!!! :sohappy: I have a date believe it or not bahaha... and I'm already nervous. Bah.

I HEARD it was fantastically funny and I can't wait to sit and laugh... I just hope theres nothing that will make me blush because I am there with a guy. That I like. Somewhat. :veryconfu

But I thought cruise was incredible in The Last Samuri and... whats the other one... well he was good in Rainman too and and and ... god what am I thinking of... Penelope Cruz... AH! Vanilla Sky! I thought he played well in that.. and Jerry Mcguire.

How do you feel about Jim Carrey? He's a CANADIAN. Bahaha. But honestly, I think there is something very.. very... iffy about Jim Carrey. As a human. He's way to hyper. Seceretly I think he's on drugs or something... have you ever seen a interview with him? He has a hard time getting in and out of character... a ridiculously hard time. And his last movie, Lemony Snicket's A serious of unfortuante events was god awful and it does the books NO justice what so ever.

 

[dxwwf3]

How do you feel about Jim Carrey? He's a CANADIAN. Bahaha. But honestly, I think there is something very.. very... iffy about Jim Carrey. As a human. He's way to hyper. Seceretly I think he's on drugs or something... have you ever seen a interview with him? He has a hard time getting in and out of character... a ridiculously hard time. And his last movie, Lemony Snicket's A serious of unfortuante events was god awful and it does the books NO justice what so ever.

Yes he does have trouble getting in and out of character, but all I know is that if that's what it takes, then I'm all for it.

His performance of Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon is the single greatest piece of acting I have ever seen in my life. Yes that is just my opinion and I know that probably 99.9999% of you disagree, but I honestly believe that no other actor has done a better job than Carrey did in MotM. And for the record I haven't seen Ray yet, so my Carrey vote still stands.

I really wish he would go back to his roots and make one more really silly comedy. I'd give anything to see a Dumb and Dumber sequal or something along the lines of an Ace Ventura character. But as far as his dramatic roles, I thought he was excellent in The Truman Show and even better in The Majestic. And you already know how I feel about Man on the Moon :lol:

BTW, I find it odd that a thread drift about good acting has come from an Elektra review :lol: No matter if you like it or not, we all know that most movies like this aren't known for good acting, and that's being kind.