Movie Review: ELEKTRA

MPAA Rating: PG-13

CRChair and I went to see ELEKTRA this weekend, a film I have really been looking forward to and which stars the comely Jennifer Garner in her first starring role in a major action picture. Coming on the heels of the "Marvel Revolution" of comic book movies and a spinoff of the semi-successful Ben Affleck DAREDEVIL, there were high hopes for this one. But it seems like everyone has the sense that the studios are not sure what to make of this one, and so every friend asked me to let them know what I thought of this one.



First, for those with ADD the quickie review: Better than the theatrical Daredevil but worse than the directors cut which came out on DVD recently. If you like comic book movies in general, you'll like this one. If you are seeking a great drama or great martial arts film, seek out one of the recent Chinese imports instead.



Second, for the longer review. The back-story to Elektra is that she has been raised all of her life by a demanding father whose training was so intense, it drove her to occasional bouts of Monk-like OCD. The death of her mother at a young age made things worse. And the violent death of her father and her own death is alluded to, but never seen in this film - it occurred in DAREDEVIL. A strict mystical-martial arts master known as Stick somehow brings her back from the death and teaches her a mystical fighting skill which actually lets her see the future in a jedi-like manner. Since then, she has applied her skills as the worlds best assassin. Until she is sent on a mission which she can not fulfill, due to a mix of morality and a replay of personal nightmares. Her employer sends others, and she decides to act as a protector instead of assassin. And much Wire-Fu ensues.



This is a very weird film. There is GREAT characterization. Good acting by Garner. Good dialogue which mimics comic books without being that kind of weird self-conscious camp which doomed the later BATMAN films. EXCELLENT special effects. Interesting super powers. And an array of bad guys which are among the best I have seen. And yet, the film fails to really succeed. Why? Two big reasons. One, the editor and director never really bring it all together. They have all the pieces but simply can not put the puzzle together effectively. Consider, the most interesting baddie in the film is a lady named TYPHOID MARY who strongly alludes to a back-story eerily similar to Elektra's own. And yet, it is just mentioned once and then dropped. Two, the writer chose to leave the LEAST interesting bad guy for the climactic battle. You have a guy who is invulnerable, a guy who can sprout snakes from his chest, and a girl who kills everything she touches. And who do you have as the final battle? A guy with no powers who is good with knives. Sigh.



In the end, I really did enjoy the film. It hit the spot and I was in the right mood. But I doubt this one will see wide success. There is not enough here to let in those uninitiated to comics, as SPIDER-MAN and X-MEN did. But there is enough to allow those with a comic background to smile.