8.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A blind lawyer with his other senses superhumanly enhanced fights crime as a costumed superhero.
Starring: Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jay AliComic book | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 48% |
Action | 30% |
Adventure | 14% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
German: DTS-HD HR 5.1
English SDH, German
Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (4 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The seemingly endless battle between comic book heroes and their respective villains has been ongoing since the format's inception, and the writers and animators have found a way to keep their fans coming back for more, issue after issue, year after year. What is it that prompts such a following, what creative secret formula have the authors discovered that not only keeps old fans, but continuously draws in new ones? Is it the nuts-and-bolts story mechanics of various clashes and revelations? Probably not, not exclusively, anyway, though the (mostly) linear A-B narrative is certainly a major part of the appeal. Never mind that some of the stories are immensely complex while others would make a literature professor or maybe even casual reader cringe, but any good writer knows there needs to be more than just action. Perhaps the draw is instead the struggle, not just between good and evil on the surface but between and within the characters themselves, characters who are often deeply flawed and, with the best of them, an understandable and maybe even sympathetic blend of good and evil. Every great character has a little Hulk in them. Daredevil certainly fits that mold, and even if it's only a single season's worth of television rather than decades of complex comic book characterizations and arcs, the televised format allows plenty of space to explore the driving concepts of good, evil, justice, fairness, and what it really means to protect and to serve.
Daredevil: The Complete First Season was originally produced for Netflix, and it's hard to imagine the program looking this good on the
streaming service. Disney's 1080p Blu-ray presentation is frequently stunning, revealing amazingly intimate and clear details while retaining a slightly
(and deliberately) roughhewn look. The show was digitally photographed, but beyond some blasts of source noise in lower light shots (which is much of
the show), it nearly passes for film, texturally. There a grittiness about the show that even the digital source captures quite authentically. Textural
nuance is incredible. Faces are showcases for about the most extreme, razor-sharp details the Blu-ray format can yield at 1080p. Pores, scruff, bumps
and other imperfections, even beads of sweat pose no challenge, presenting with immaculate up-close-and-personal, lifelike definition. Much the same
can be said for any of the show's locations. Murdock's rather pedestrian, almost industrial apartment; closed-in and dingy police station interrogation
rooms;
offices; hospitals; restaurants; garages; city streets; alleyways...wherever the show happens to go, incredible textural depth and complexity follow.
Colors are very rich and pleasing, at least when the situation warrants. Much of the show is dark, and significantly so. Red and green pushes are not
uncommon, particularly at night, but brighter daytime and evenly lit interiors favor a contrasting neutrality and vibrancy. No matter the condition,
Daredevil's Blu-ray nails its colors. Blacks are inky deep, maybe on the edge and occasionally stepping a foot over the line into crush, but it's
hard to argue with the textural and dramatic significance of the show's darker scenes and how the absorbing blacks benefit the show's cadence. Flesh
tones are fine, falling in-line with any given moment's lighting and contrast demands. Beyond the aforementioned noise, there are no source or encode
flaws
of note. This is a terrific presentation from Disney.
Daredevil: The Complete First Season's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack makes use of the entire stage, sometimes in a clearly elaborate manner and at others in a more subtle reflection of the title character's enhanced auditory capabilities. Emphasizing far-off dialogue, heartbeats, or other necessary tell-tale signs are fairly common, with fine full-on delivery and clarity, albeit sometimes a little muddled for effect if the sound is some distance away. At other times, sounds can effortlessly whirl around the listener. In fact, it only takes minutes into the show to appreciate the track's spaciousness and fluidity. Music moves along the 360-degree plane during Daredevil's first crimefighting encounter. The transition around the stage comes smoothly and seamlessly, a remarkable effect and particularly so considering the lack of additional rear-channel supports. More traditionally oriented music enjoys excellent width and detail. Action scenes feature plenty of impactful hits and crashes. Gunfire pops with excellent stage command and zip. Environmental qualities are effortlessly fulfilling, transporting the listener into bustling police precincts, city streets, or bars. Surrounds carry a healthy and balanced bit of the environmental load, and the track's sense of place comes seamlessly. Dialogue is clear and detailed with excellent front-center positioning and prioritization, even in louder environments or in hushed whispers.
This Blu-ray release of Daredevil: The Complete First Season contains no supplemental content.
Daredevil is a fantastic show. Never mind simply praising it within the Superhero realm. It's fantastic television compared even to any of today's top programs. Characterization is off-the-charts levels of excellence, and the performances are equally stellar. Production design is fantastic, the show oozes dramatic complexity and thematic heft even in its technical execution. It's a wonderful show that absolutely nails the long-form superhero and villain dynamic. Daredevil: The Complete First Season's Blu-ray is only short of a good supplemental package from being remembered as one of 2016's best Blu-ray releases. Video and audio are certainly right up there. Very highly recommended.
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