This doesn't exactly set the world on fire, but I was charmed by its old-fashioned storytelling, which is refreshingly free of archness, self-consciousness, or Kill Bill-style wisecracks.
Elektra (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:4
Rotten:28
Average Rating:3.8/10
Consensus: This comic book movie is an inert muddle that takes itself much too seriously.
Theatrical Release:Jan 14, 2005 Wide
Box Office: $24,326,793
Synopsis: From the pages of Marvel Comics, creator of "X-Men" and "Spider-Man," comes ELEKTRA, the first action event movie of the year. In the ultimate battle between good and evil stands a warrior who... From the pages of Marvel Comics, creator of "X-Men" and "Spider-Man," comes ELEKTRA, the first action event movie of the year. In the ultimate battle between good and evil stands a warrior who makes the choice that tips the balance. Jennifer Garner stars in the title role as a strong, mysterious and sexy action heroine – a lethal synthesis of grace and power. Not long after recovering from seemingly mortal wounds, Elektra has severed all ties with the world, living only for her next assignment. But in an unexpected turn of events, she is forced to make a decision that can take her life in a new direction – or destroy her. Key players in Elektra's journey are Stick, a blind martial arts master responsible for Elektra's "resurrection," and Mark Miller and Abby Miller, a father and daughter on the run from The Hand, a powerful syndicate whose members practice the dark martial art of ninjitsu. After Jennifer Garner made a brief, tantalizing appearance as Elektra in the 2003 Fox / Regency picture "Daredevil," executives at both companies were eager to have Garner reprise the role, but this time in her own motion picture. Garner trained long and hard to do justice to the character portrayed in the famed Marvel comics: a warrior without limits. Already physically fit and skilled in various fighting techniques from her work on the television series "Alias," Garner took her martial arts training to a new level under the guidance of ELEKTRA's Stunt Coordinators and Fighting Choreographers. A bonus for Garner – and the comic's multitude of fans – was that this time Elektra would don a red costume that stays true to the colors worn by the character in the Marvel stories. -- © 20th Century Fox [More]
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Goran Visnjic, Kirsten Prout, Will Yun Lee
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Goran Visnjic, Kirsten Prout, Will Yun Lee, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Terence Stamp, Natassia Malthe, Bob Sapp, Hiro Kanagawa
Director: Rob Bowman
Director: Rob Bowman
Screenwriter: Zak Penn, Stuart Zicherman, Raven Metzner
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Gary Foster, Avi Arad
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Release:
Apr 21, 2009
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- NTSC
- Keep Case
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dolby Surround - Spanish & French
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
- Music Highlights: Soundtrack (1:00)
Featurette:
- 1. Comic-Con Presentation (1:33)
- 2. I Died Once (1:49)
- 3. The Way (2:08)
- 4. Don't Force It (1:32)
Behind the Scenes:
- 1. THE MAKING OF ELEKTRA
- 2. INSIDE THE EDITING ROOM: ONLY A WARRIOR (1:32)
Trailers:
- 1. Theatrical Trailer
- 2. Teaser
- 3. Previews - 1. Intro (:13)
- 4. Fantastic Four (3:00)
- 5. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (3:00).
Reviews for Elektra
Everything comes back to Garner, though -- and even when the movie takes itself too seriously, thankfully she never does.
Offers no surprises, and whether or not you'll appreciate its modest charms depends entirely on whether you too have been anticipating Garner's new outfit.
They should have just called this movie Contractually Obligated Squeal staring Jennifer Garner because I can see no other reason why someone as talented and as smart as she is would want to do this film.
The sad thing about Elektra is that it reveals that for all the millions of dollars now spent on them, comic-book movies are being made with no more distinction than the cheapest old Saturday-afternoon serials.
That she is in fact a hired assassin on a $2-million contract killing is charmingly offset by the fact that she wears no makeup and ties her (albeit ridiculously) long brown hair back in a ponytail.
What it suffers from most is the sense of offhand storytelling that lies halfway between creative laziness and cost-cutting sloppiness.
The constant talk and tease of Elektra is sure to cause even more male frustration than Catwoman and Tomb Raider, where the femmes were similarly dolled up and then sexed down to appease the nanny censors.
Another inert, soul-dead action drama that turns actors into zombies.
Half of it feels like pure, Saturday-morning cartoon show. Half feels like an attempt at an actual relationship drama. They should have listened to the first half.
Resembles nothing so much as a dumbed-down, PG-13 version of Kill Bill, put together by a team tone-deaf to bad dialogue, atrocious acting, cheesy special effects and clumsily staged action sequences.
Elektra is stripped of the unrepentant ferocity that made her a crossover hit in the first place. Here, she quickly succumbs to her gooey, maternal side -- which means if ever there's a sequel, she'll have no edge.
Hmmm, where have I seen this before? Oh, yes, I saw it Wednesday night on television. Except her hair was pink. And I had eight more bucks in my wallet.
Elektra the movie is a lot like Elektra the assassin. It executes its mission with considerable precision but never feels truly alive.
Plays like a collision between leftover bits and pieces of Marvel superhero stories.
[Garner] does all the stuff you can see her do on Wednesday nights -- namely, some of her own stunt work in outrageous costumes -- but without an ounce of zeal, charisma, or purpose.
Garner, adept as she is at physical stunts and action moves, is far more appealing when she's playing charming and adorable, as she did so winningly in 13 Going on 30.
Would it kill a tough girl to crack a smile or eat a Twinkie or make a pass once in a while? Does she have to be a squinty jerk with intimacy issues in order to be considered super?
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