Daredevil Synopsis Matt Murdock (Ben Affleck) is a blind lawyer who, with his legal partner, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, helps the innocent in New York City's Hell's Kitchen by day and seeks vengeance on those who've eluded justice by night. He does so in the form of his alter-ego, the mysterious and acrobatic Daredevil, a figure who's drawn the attention of newspaper reporter Ben Ulrich. Long ago, 12-year-old Matt was accidentally blinded by a chemical spill. It left his remaining senses, however, super-enhanced, including the ability to "see" with something akin to radar vision. When a crime boss murdered his father Jack for not throwing a fight, Matt vowed to fight for the little guy and right all of the wrongs that he could. Yet, his vigilantism has created mixed feelings in him, resulting in him often spending time in a church's confessional. That is, when he's not pursuing Elektra Natchios (JENNIFER GARNER), a beautiful young woman who's just as proficient at martial arts as he is. The fact that her father, Nikolas has business dealings with Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin and wants out, soon puts all of them in danger. That's because Kingpin has sent his highly proficient assassin, Bullseye to kill Nikolas. Soon, Elektra's life is in danger as well and it's up to Daredevil to save her. From that point on, the masked avenger must contend with all of that, his possibly outing by Ben, (remember the newspaper reporter) and all of his pent-up and conflicting emotions about what he does and who he is. The Message Daredevil has all the comic book movie prerequisites-a hero with extraordinary powers and courage, wicked antagonists, death-defying action, sexy love interest-but it ignores the humanity beneath the costumes. That's shameful too because Daredevil is a cool, complex, and conflicted superhero who deserves better treatment. The action gets expressed through quick edits and computer-generated acrobatics instead of centering on genuine conflict involving human beings. The cardboard love story between Daredevil and Elektra resorts to "love" via quick sex rather than genuine sparks of passion (though their battle on seesaws provides the film's best scene). The villains perpetrate unspeakable evil for evil's sake and nothing more. (Kingpin says, "It's only business," but what business? What does he own, sell, or invest?) Daredevil is a fascinating character, a blind man who brings justice to the oppressed and the forgotten of society. The Daredevil film, however, perpetrates the real crime here by turning this vibrant hero into a lame excuse for karate kicks, explosions, and women in bustier garb. Though Daredevil creates a disappointing movie going experience, its themes are rich with spiritual parallels. It touches briefly on perseverance and revenge, but the discussion reaches ocean like depths on the subjects of fear and justice. First, Daredevil is known as the "man without fear." This fearlessness imbues him with extra strength and courage-nothing holds him back. Christians should mirror this fearless attitude. (With God behind us, who can stand against us?) All fears appear petty when laid at the feet of Almighty God, so you are challenged to leave fears behind and step forward in faith and courage. Secondly, Daredevil's whole mission in life is seeing justice done in the name of the oppressed. This cry echoes God's Word, which gives verse after verse calling for action on behalf of the "fatherless and the widow." Daredevil acknowledges that human justice is fallible. (Who decides on the good guys and bad guys? the judge and jury?) Though important, these moral issues don't excuse inaction. It may seem as if one person can't make much of a difference, but change always begins with one person. Christians should bring justice to the defenseless in their schools, city, nation, and the world at large. It may seem like an impossible task, but we have nothing to fear. Scriptures Luk 18:1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luk 18:2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; Luk 18:3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Vindicate me against my adversary.' Luk 18:4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, Luk 18:5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" Luk 18:6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. Luk 18:7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? Luk 18:8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" 1Cr 12:25 that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 1Cr 12:26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. FEAR Fear isn't an option with Almighty God at our side. If we really believe that God is in control and heaven is real, nothing should deter us. You are challenged to face fear by trusting God completely. Discussion Questions: ·Do you know anyone whom you'd describe as a person "without fear"? If so, who? What's the source of this person's fearlessness? ·What are some of the ways that people cope with their fears? How do you usually cope with feelings of fear? ·What fears are you dealing with most right now? How do these fears affect your everyday life and choices? ·Do you believe that God has control over your life? If so, how do you reconcile this believe with the fears that arise? ·Why are so many people scared of new things?  ·Read 2 Timothy 1:7-9. 2Ti 1:7 for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 2Ti 1:8 Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, 2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, ·What has God given us? Why are Christians sometimes scared of the world? ·What things happen when we "hide" in church?  ·How do we relate to the world without compromising our faith?  Other Topics for discussion JUSTICE Our spirits ache for justice in a brutal, selfish world. Explore ways to help find God in the midst of senseless violence and oppression, and encourage each other to cling to his promises that he will bring justice. Discussion Questions:  ·Where have you seen injustice around the world? in your life?  ·What consequences does injustice bring? ·How do you usually deal with your feelings about injustice? ·Why do you think God doesn't simply step in and wipe out injustice? ·Does all the injustice in this world ever cause you to waver in your faith? Explain. ·Other than acting justly in our own lives and teaching God's standards, what else can we do to fight the injustice we see around us? ·Read Matthew 7: 1-2. Mat 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. Mat 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. ·Can men and women be trusted to render justice? Why or why not? ·Is it acceptable to break the law in order to bring about justice? Why or why not? ·Have you ever seen one person make a difference? If so, how? What's one thing can you do this week to help someone who's oppressed? What's one thing can we do as a ministry? OUR WORD TO THE WISE:  Here's a quick look at the content found in this action/adventure film that's been rated PG-13. Some brief and non-explicit sexually related dialogue is heard and sex is implied (mostly seen in a head and shoulders shot with no explicit nudity). A woman shows varying amounts of cleavage throughout the film, while a man unknowingly caresses a statue's bare breast (played for laughs). Violence consists of various people killing others in various fashions (including the hero dispatching villains and criminals), with enough resultant and cumulative bloodletting to warrant a heavy rating. Other non-lethal, but brutal fighting is also present.  All of that fighting and stunt work might be enticing for some kids to try to imitate, while various characters drink and/or smoke. Meanwhile, some tense family material has various people (young and adult) seeing their parents murdered in front of them. The amount of Violence in this movie is excessive, thus the small print for space. BLOOD/GORE  ·We see a small stream of blood running down a piece of stained glass. ·Young Matt has a little bit of blood on his lip. ·We see a brief (and slightly gory) visualized trip inside a boy's eye and then down the meaty and red-looking optic nerve (in a special effects shot). ·Jack spits out some blood and has some on his face during a boxing match.  ·A man's face is somewhat bloody after being beaten by others.  ·We see photographs of a woman with bruises on her face.  ·A man has a little bit of blood on his neck.  ·We see many old scars on Matt's back.  ·Following a fight, Matt pulls a loosened tooth from his mouth (we hear the sound of it coming out). ·A man has some blood on his face after Daredevil beats him.  ·A person falls to the ground dead, with something sticking out of their forehead (with a little bit of blood around it). ·Elektra has blood on her hands when tending to a man who's just been killed. ·We see a dead man with several pencils sticking out of his throat (courtesy of Bullseye and with a tiny bit of blood around them). ·Blood smears down a window after a person has been stabbed through the shoulder/chest. ·A sword impales a woman through her hand (seen, but without blood, and she then slowly pulls it out). ·A man has a slightly bloody slice across his face. ·A person throws a playing card that slightly cuts another person's throat (a little bit of blood). ·A police sniper's shot goes through a man's two hands (we see the slightly bloody holes in his palms). ·Daredevil has a little bit of blood from his mouth during a fight PROFANITY  ·At least 4 "s" words, 4 asses, 2 hells, 3 uses of "Oh God," 2 of "Oh my God" and 1 use each of "G-damn," "Jesus" and "My God" as exclamations. SEX/NUDITY  ·We hear a message that Matt's girlfriend leaves on his answering machine. In it, she breaks up with him, but not before explaining that one reason for that is "Every time we sleep together, I wake up alone." ·Elektra shows varying amounts of cleavage (sometimes a great deal) in various outfits throughout the movie. ·Matt and Elektra passionately kiss in the rain. Moments later, we see a head and shoulders shot of them passionately kissing (both are shirtless, but no nudity is seen) ending with implied sex. ·Foggy unknowingly caresses a bare breast on a statue while at a ball (and then stops when he realizes what he's doing).