Elektra is a film that shouldn't have been made. It should have been made as a direct sequel to 2003's "Daredevil," because its fast and loose playing with the comic book mythos of Elektra Natchios, and too a smaller degree, Matt Murdock's red-suited alter ego, would have been served better with at least the addition of Ben Affleck's portrayal of the Man Without Fear.
Now, having said that, Elektra is not that bad of a film. It's just not that good of a superhero/comic book-based film. The high points include Jennifer Garner's tortured, stoic title character. Garner proves she has the chops to pull off a very complex and homicidal character. The fight scenes are also well choreographed, with a minimum of wire work and just enough CGI-enhanced special effects not to make the audience sick. The low points are the rest of the characters and their respective actors, excluding the always terrific Terrence Stamp as Stick (coincidentally, Daredevil's mentor in the comics, not Elektra's), and the slap-dashed story which picks and chooses bits and pieces from not only Elektra's comic book forays, but also any number of stories and films.
We know when Elektra was resurrected, but not how or why or why should we care that she was. Frank Miller brought Elektra back to life in the comics and it worked and the reader cared. But, at the end of this film, I was left thinking that this story could've never been told and I wouldn't have minded at all.
Recommended, but be wary.
Now, having said that, Elektra is not that bad of a film. It's just not that good of a superhero/comic book-based film. The high points include Jennifer Garner's tortured, stoic title character. Garner proves she has the chops to pull off a very complex and homicidal character. The fight scenes are also well choreographed, with a minimum of wire work and just enough CGI-enhanced special effects not to make the audience sick. The low points are the rest of the characters and their respective actors, excluding the always terrific Terrence Stamp as Stick (coincidentally, Daredevil's mentor in the comics, not Elektra's), and the slap-dashed story which picks and chooses bits and pieces from not only Elektra's comic book forays, but also any number of stories and films.
We know when Elektra was resurrected, but not how or why or why should we care that she was. Frank Miller brought Elektra back to life in the comics and it worked and the reader cared. But, at the end of this film, I was left thinking that this story could've never been told and I wouldn't have minded at all.
Recommended, but be wary.