Elektra (2005) starring Jennifer Garner, Goran Visnjic, Kirsten Prout, Will Yn Lee, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Terence Stamp, Natassia Malthe, Bob Sapp, Chris Ackerman directed by Rob Bowman Movie Review

Elektra (2005)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Jennifer Garner as Elektra

Elektra Glide in Red Leather

There is one important thing to remember when watching superhero movies; there are no rules, so if someone dies there is absolutely no reason why they can't return. And that is the case when it comes to the movie "Elektra" as although not technically a sequel to "Daredevil" it did feature the character of Elektra being killed. But thanks to the magic world of the super hero movie Elektra is back from the dead with her own movie and with Jennifer Garner returning to reprise the role. Sadly whilst Garner was one of the best things about "Daredevil" she isn't the best thing in "Elektra" unless you enjoy the tight leather outfit and lusty looks filmed in slow motion. But then to be honest there isn't much which is that good about "Elektra", not that it is terrible but like "Daredevil" is weak compared to other super hero movie.

Elektra (Jennifer Garner - 13 Going on 30) a lethal assassin with the ability to see the immediate future has got to where she is by having no connection to the real world and no friends other than her agent and her mentor. But her latest mission forces Elektra to make a serious decision which could end up destroying her as she finds herself protecting a young girl called Abby (Kirsten Prout) from a mysterious group known as The Hand.

Goran Visnjic, Kirsten Prout and Jennifer Garner in Elektra

So get past the fact that previously Elektra died and what we have got now is Elektra as a deadly assassin for hire, trained by her tutor Stick. And being an assassin we accept that Elektra is detached from having friendships but then the storyline which follows becomes rather dull as we have her forming a bond with a young girl who she ends up protecting from a dangerous gang having made a major decision. There is more to it than that as this young girl is a chose one, yep the old special one chestnut, and so it is critical that Elektra keeps her alive and so needs more guidance from her mentor. But to be frank, dress it up anyway you like and the storyline isn't that original and has been seen in one form or another in a variety of other movies.

Having said that you really don't watch a superhero movie for a compelling and original storyline but for the action and excitement. And watching "Elektra" purely for visual entertainment it sort of works with plenty of expertly choreographed fight scenes embellished with special effects. I say sort of because whilst there is excitement there is also some cheese and the whole sexualisation of Elektra with the tight red leather outfit, slow motion shots of her in action and sometimes not all seems a little exploitive. Not being a doyen of the comic book super hero I don't know whether Elektra is meant too ooze so much sexuality, maybe she is but it just ends up making "Elektra" all about Jennifer Garner looking mighty fit in a tight outfit.

As for Jennifer Garner well to be honest for me the script does her little favour and so ends up playing this comic book character in a very cliche manner. Yes Garner does look fit and to be honest seriously hot but get beyond that and what we have is a cliche character delivering corny dialogue. And to be honest no one else really stands out in "Elektra" with Terence Stamp coming over a little bit too Yoda like as mystical mentor Stick and Kirsten Prout is almost a cliche as the teenager golden child. As for Goran Visnjic who plays Abby's father Mark and is there to provide a bit of a romantic sub plot, well it doesn't work because there is no chemistry going on between him and Garner. Maybe the lack of chemistry is right with Elektra this detracted character but it makes the subplot weak.

What this all boils down to is that "Elektra" like it's predecessor "Daredevil" is inferior to other super hero comic book movies. It is still entertaining but it is also quite cheesy and won't leave you with a feeling of wanting to watch more, that is unless all you want is Jennifer Garner looking hot and sexy.


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