"Elektra" is a mess, and yet it stars the very hot Jennifer Garner in the title role. However, this frail story asks the captivating question: What do you do with a "second life"? This actually saved the movie for me. Director Rob Bowman's "Elektra" follows the character Elektra, who died in the movie, "Daredevil". Yes, died. Elektra (Garner) is a ninja of great and legendary prowess. According to the mythology of the movie, she is also the balance between the forces of good and evil, in the quest for the Treasure-- the source of ultimate power. The comic book character created by Frank Miller, in the hands of screen writers, Zak Penn, Stu Zicherman, and Raven Metzner clumsily handles this intriguing premise. Garner is effective as Elektra, who is brought back from the dead, and is creating the path of her second life. The assassin for hire, Elektra, accepts an assignment from an undisclosed client, to kill widower Mark Miller (Goran Visnjic) and his daughter Abby (Kirsten Prout), who possesses a great secret. Not able to bring herself to kill them, she chooses instead to protect Mark and Abby, from The Order of the Hand, a powerful Ninja Clan. What follows is battle against great evil, in a very murky and convoluted story.
Elektra is much too dour for Garner, rather this wastes the innate lightness and charm which she displayed in "13 Going on 30". Garner to her credit is a strong and charismatic force, and a true physical screen presence. She looks awesome. Her fight sequences, when not overly edited, are very impressive. She obviously trained intensely in the martial arts for the movie. It is a shame that the story does not adequately support her. Having her character suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder is a curious touch for character complexity. An unexpected saving grace is Terence Stamp as Elektra's "gaijin" Sensei, Stick. In a flashback, Stick points out to Elektra that she is his most powerful student, but not his best student. The point being that Elektra has a good soul, but has chosen a dark path. Stick is the one who asks, "What do you do with a second life?" Elektra eventually asks Stick for help in protecting the Millers. But it is Elektra, alone, who must face the evil forces of The Hand. Even amidst the over done, aerial wire fighting sequences, the notion that our warrior Elektra chooses to protect life, instead of taking it, is noble. Granted this is not always clear in this movie, but it is well intentioned.
"Elektra" is a very glossy mess that to it's credit has it's moments. The movie is really saved by a noble premise. Jennifer Garner is an absolutely hot star, who has a commanding screen presence. Though "Elektra" for the most part, wastes her gifts. Hopefully and mercifully, there will not be a sequel.
Elektra is much too dour for Garner, rather this wastes the innate lightness and charm which she displayed in "13 Going on 30". Garner to her credit is a strong and charismatic force, and a true physical screen presence. She looks awesome. Her fight sequences, when not overly edited, are very impressive. She obviously trained intensely in the martial arts for the movie. It is a shame that the story does not adequately support her. Having her character suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder is a curious touch for character complexity. An unexpected saving grace is Terence Stamp as Elektra's "gaijin" Sensei, Stick. In a flashback, Stick points out to Elektra that she is his most powerful student, but not his best student. The point being that Elektra has a good soul, but has chosen a dark path. Stick is the one who asks, "What do you do with a second life?" Elektra eventually asks Stick for help in protecting the Millers. But it is Elektra, alone, who must face the evil forces of The Hand. Even amidst the over done, aerial wire fighting sequences, the notion that our warrior Elektra chooses to protect life, instead of taking it, is noble. Granted this is not always clear in this movie, but it is well intentioned.
"Elektra" is a very glossy mess that to it's credit has it's moments. The movie is really saved by a noble premise. Jennifer Garner is an absolutely hot star, who has a commanding screen presence. Though "Elektra" for the most part, wastes her gifts. Hopefully and mercifully, there will not be a sequel.