Elektra

The problem with Elektra is not only that it's an extremely dull film whose sole reason for being made is to parasite on the relative success of Daredevil (which also sucked), but also that the filmmakers tried to create a portrait of the psychology of the main character at the expense of the necessary no-brain popcorn fun, which they shouldn't have done. In films of this type, such an effort is rather lamentable. If I decide to watch a film like this, I expect an intellectually unpretentious whirlwind of action and special effects, which in Electra are very poor. There is little action and the whole film reeks of a filmmaker’s attempt at tricking the viewer that they are being served a thick hamburger when it is just a regular toast (nothing against toast, of course). (2005.06.15)

Daredevil didn't do great in theaters, so the producers listened to the wishes of the male part of the world, who unwittingly drooled over Jennifer Garner, and gave Elektra her own standalone film. And precisely what all film fans (not just male ones) were looking forward to, failed the most. I'd condemn Elektra's makeup artists for... Elektra swapped her fitting sadomasochistic leather outfit for a brightly red ensemble that covers up too much at times. The red color is more faithful to the comics, but it looks a bit strange. And the make-up artists straightened her beautiful wavy hair and added some absolutely horrible bangs. This really stirred my stomach juices. It didn't surprise me that the film's script wasn’t groundbreaking, similar to Daredevil. But that it would be so (sorry) stupid and illogical is a bit too much even for me. The dreadful main storyline is actually totally meaningless. There is not a single twist in the film, and not a single character utters a sentence that hasn't already been heard elsewhere. Anyone could have written such a lame story. The omission of the screenwriter's mind (and not only his) is ultimately glued together by one man. The credit for the fact that the film is not that terrible and remains at least watchable until the end goes solely to director Rob Bowman, who skillfully keeps this rapidly sinking ship afloat. Yet what strikes me most about the film is the lack of action. Having only four major action scenes in less than an hour and three-quarters is too damn little. It doesn't even help that Bowman shot them in a cool, bombastic style. Another downside is definitely the absence of a better villain. A Japanese man with two katanas doesn’t really cut it. Of course, I don't count those comical fighters with abilities that even the X-Men would envy. The digital effects, with which the film "helps" itself to an unhealthy extent, look rather cheap. All things considered, if it weren't for the director, the film would have been a complete wreck. As it is, it's just a dull mishmash from which any impression fizzles out before the end credits roll. (2005.04.09)

This is basically comparable to Daredevil, with the difference that Jennifer Garner is much more pleasant to look at than Ben Affleck. But still... it’s a big bore right from the beginning. In places, things are improved by unusual baddies, but they soon slip your mind in a puff of green smoke. As is the whole movie. (2008.10.31)

Elektra is by no means a great film, but at least you won't get bored and you won't laugh at it (like Catwoman). The action scenes are sometimes messy (with excessive editing in the final fights), but some of them are really well done (the training), and there are some excellently shot sequences where the protagonists use throwing weapons (shurikens, daggers, knives, etc.). Everything is complemented by a solid musical score, so I'm actually satisfied with the final product. It may be slightly overshadowed by the action masterpiece Mortal Kombat, but it's not completely bad either. (2005.05.01)

After watching it in a slightly better mood, I raise my rating and give Elektra two and a half stars. One is for Jennifer Garner (yeah, yeah, I know), the second is for Terence Stamp and the overall pleasant, comic-book atmosphere, and I give half a star to the music, which, although it didn't particularly stand out in the film, is worth listening to on its own. (2009.11.01)