Self-proclaimed “really good lawyer” Matt Murdock returns to the streets of Hell’s Kitchen in the aptly named revival series Daredevil: Born Again. This time, however, the series has made the jump from Netflix to its new owner, Disney+, and had some creative team shifts behind the scenes. Fans of Ol’ Hornhead need not fret though, as the overall mature tone of the series and the quality of storytelling are still intact in this intense re-introduction of the character into the broader MCU.
The series begins with a jaw-dropping 15-minute shocker openning that is capped off by an exquisite prolonged fight sequence – wouldn’t be Daredevil without one, right? When the dust settles, the story jumps forward to follow Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox) and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) as they start new chapters in their lives and circling each other metaphorically, waiting to see if either are truly changed men.
After a riveting conversation in a diner where Cox and D’Onofrio showcase their considerable acting talents, the characters return to their respective corners for most of the early half of the 9 episodes of the season. Matt has encounters in the courtroom as well as the streets with other vigilantes and Fisk is getting acclimated with his new position as Mayor while reconciling his criminal empire, having been run by his wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) in his absence.
Both lead characters get equal screentime and story treatment, but unfortunately much of Fisk’s political maneuvering and marital issues aren’t all that compelling compared to the gripping legal drama brewing over on Matt’s side. Eventually a nasty piece of work, a masked serial killer named Muse, gets the attention of both Fisk and Murdock, setting up their inevitable showdown with unexpected results and revelations.
Even though Netflix’s Daredevil series was set in the MCU it was widely ignored by the larger parts of it, but Daredevil: Born Again definitely feels like a New York bustling with all levels of vigilantes and superheroes – some old favorites, some making their MCU debuts. Also, a few other fun MCU surprises we won’t discuss here. But the grimy, dirty look of the previous Hell’s Kitchen is replaced by brighter, cleaner shots of the overall city that look like somewhere Tom Holland’s Spider-Man would be swinging around. Some might miss the grittiness of the old aesthetic, but Daredevil: Born Again‘s new-ish feel works for the series and its place in the MCU.
It’s been a long road (and a whole fan campaign) to get Daredevil back on our screens and the wait has been worth it. Cox and D’Onofrio continue to be superb in their roles and have one of the best rivalries in the MCU. From the beautifully revamped opening credits to the crushing fight sequences, Daredevil: Born Again is what fans loved about the previous incarnation, only back in snazzy new packaging.
Score: 4 out of 5