Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12967 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-30
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
While 2003's Daredevil was a conventional superhero movie, the 2005 spinoff, Elektra, is more of a wuxia-styled martial arts/fantasy flick. Elektra (Jennifer Garner) has returned to her life as a hired assassin, but she balks at an assignment to kill a single father (Goran Visnjic, ER) and his teenage daughter (Kirsten Prout). That makes her the target of The Hand, an organization of murderous ninjas, scheming corporate types, and a band of stylish supervillains seeking to eliminate Elektra and tip the balance of power in the ongoing battle of good vs. evil.

As the star of Alias, Garner has proven that she can kick butt with the best of them, and some of the visual effects are impressive, but the action sequences tend to be anticlimactic, and there's not much to the story. Fans will notice numerous references to Frank Miller's comic books, but there's very little resemblance to Miller's cold-blooded killer (Elektra with an agent? Elektra referring to herself as a "soccer mom"?).

Is Elektra better than Daredevil? Not really, even with the distinct advantage of having all Garner and no Ben Affleck. That could be the spinoff's greatest disappointment: after Spider-Man 2 raised the bar for comic-book movies, Elektra lowered it back to Daredevil's level. Directed by Rob Bowman (the X-Files movie), and featuring Terence Stamp as the mysterious mentor Stick, Will Yun Lee (Die Another Day) as the chief villain, and NFL-player-turned-mixed-martial-arts-champion Bob Sapp as the immovable Stone. --David Horiuchi, Amazon.com

Synopsis
In this sequel to DAREDEVIL, the Marvel series is drawn upon once again to present the mysterious and powerful character of Elektra (Jennifer Garner), a professional assassin with special skills. Clad in a red suit, she relies on her mental acuity, which allows her to see a short distance into the future. With this talent she can stalk her victims and kill them before they are even aware of her presence. She is cold and introspective to a fault, shunning all human contact in favour of meditating on her powers. Even so, she is haunted by the memories of her youth, when as a small girl she witnessed her mother's brutal murder by a mysterious horned enemy. When a mission leads her to a father and daughter, Mark (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Kirsten Prout), something deep inside her causes her to abort the assassination. But before she knows it, a team of the highly dangerous ninja experts called the Hand are sent to take out Mark and Abby themselves. The leader of the Hand, Kirigi (Will Yun Lee), has a greater objective in mind for Mark and Abby, and Elektra decides to defend the helpless twosome until she solves the mystery behind why the Hand wants them dead. Highlights of the film centre on Elektra's impressive moves in her red-hot suit, flinging her Sai weapons with menacing accuracy. Plentiful action scenes and special effects certainly add some high-intrigue moments to the plot, but there is also a softer side to ELEKTRA, which is about mothers and daughters. Elektra frequently flashes back to her mother's death and her memories of youth, while in present time she is forming a bond with young Abby, providing for some tender moments.

Customer Reviews

Better than the critics say
Elektra has had some fairly negative press, however I urge you to take an action figure leap of faith and make up your own minds.

I found it far superior to its "predecessor" Daredevil and for me, Garner gave Elektra real character. She has been critisied for playing it too cool and unfeeling, but I ask how else would an assasin be? Warm and cuddly??!! I found it easy to see the torment she is feeling over her orders to kill and her compassion bubbling under the surface as she struggles against her instincts to kill.

It was a far better plot than Daredevil with superior action sequences and an element of the Hero / Flying Daggers style of bright colours against the darkness of the scences which I found visually very effective.

Yes, before I am bereated for the glowing review, it does have some flaws, some of the dialogue could have been written better (or even left out) however this is an adaptation of a loved comic book character. With these I want to see mainly action, feel the characters emotions and empathise with them and to be visually attracted to the screen and for me Elektra offers this in droves.

The DVD features had the usual deleted scenes and interviews with Garner, which I found entertaining.

Elektra scores high on my list with the script downfalls being lifted by Garners performance. This girl has serious talent and can do no wrong in my eyes, she is on her way up and I continue to support any project she features in no matter what the critics say. Alias.... need I say more?!

So go on, add this to your to be watched list, Elektra knocks the socks of supposed hit Ocean 12, which with a stunning cast list is saying something.

Elektra's way better than they say
"Elektra" is the latest film to star Jennifer Garner - one of Hollywoods most beautiful and charismatic people. Garner was last dazzling last year in "13 Going on 30"
With "Elektra" the source material is a bit off-key and theres not nearly enough time to do the movie in, but it all still gels together quite nicely thanks to another saving grace performance by Garner and some beautiful cinematography.

Elektra's only real fault seems to be that it takes itself a little too seriously; oh and the acting talents of some minor characters. Either way its beautiful action scenes, fighting fight and totally able lead actress pulling of sweary words after giggling at the word "bitch" last year and generally being someone you dont want to mess with is alot of fun to watch. Its ending is satisfying and the layer of drama is successful. However, i can't shake the wants and needs for Garner to do something more challenging - see her confirmed role in a new drama in 2006... :)

Elektras faults lie with a script that varies greatly in quality and pace; either way, most of the actors seem to be able to deliver some cliches without hamming them up, notably strong is teenage actress Kristin Prout.
Most important question here. Is it better than Daredevil? Yes. By a long shot. Theres far less bloated drama scenes with inplausable intent; theres far more rapid action, its far more beautiful to watch and the tone is far superior to campy Daredevil. Its actually one of the better films out of the Marvel DC revivial of late, but Spider-Man 2 it aint.

Its one of the better action movies of recent, better than "Oceans 12" and other fairly good films. Its worth the time if you can switch off what the critics say. And this comes from someone who loathed the abysmal "Catwoman".

Good game, Garner.

GREAT
I went to see this movie the night it was released an i thought that it was excellent.

Elektra, the spin-off of the popular movie Daredevil, is about the classic comic book character,after rising from the dead. The story has a lot more content than that of Daredevil and provides much more entertainment.

Finally Jennifer Garner has been given space to show off her kick-ass talents as the lead in a big budget movie. 13 going on 30 was great, but did not show her abilities in martial arts, unlike this movie. She does almost all of her own stunts (like in Alias), and that adds a sense of reality into the film.

The plot is much better than Daredevil, and the "bad guys" ar much more creative.

The special effects are awesome making the film truly come alive. The fight scenes are fantastic! The use of colour makes what could be a very dark film, very bright, saving it from the typical depressing look that films like these tend to pick up.

A great comic book adaption, great actors, great direction. Great film!