I was originally excited by the plans to make a full blown “Elektra”, following the underrated premiere of “Daredevil.” I thought Jennifer Garner was a perfect choice to play the role, as she had the right ‘look’, and from her stint on “Alias” which proved she had the ‘moves.’ Unfortunately it turned out to be a case of high expectations turned awry. “Elektra” had everything going for it, but fell far short of its potential. The story followed Elektra, though to have been killed in “Daredevil”, having gone on to become a world renowned assassin. (Well, renowned within the underworld…) She is enlisted to ‘erase’ a man and his young daughter, but soon comes to the realization that they need her help more than her employers need her them dead. The rest of the film deals with Elektra’s battles with her employers, her mentor and eventually her own ideals.

First the good… As I mentioned, Jennifer Garner was the right actress for the role, the cinematography was outstanding, and the fight sequences (what there was of them) were pretty exciting and well-executed. Actually, to be honest, the entire cast did pretty well in their roles. There were also some awesome special effects scattered throughout the production due to the mystical powers endowed upon her enemies. To give you a little taste, just imagine your attacker having a body covered with tattoos that can come to life to fight. Some of these effects do look a little comic book in nature, but they work since Elektra is a comic book figure.

As for the bad… well, the script just could have offered a stronger storyline and allowed Garner to be the polished assassin she is supposed to be by the time this story takes place. Instead she seems rather weak willed and unsure of herself, and the plotting of the story is rather… plodding. All of the characters make mistakes that should have been fatal, and in one case a major character makes an unnecessary fatal sacrifice. It’s not that the film is that bad, it just could have been so much better.

Fox has released a brand new DVD version that is being billed as a Director’s Cut and I thought I’d give it a try since the Director’s Cut of “Daredevil” as few months back offered a much stronger version of the film. Unfortunately, this new cut of “Elektra” adds only a few minutes and doesn’t really improve upon the film that much. However, this is not to say that the new DVD isn’t worth adding to your collection if you’re a comic book fan. What this set does deliver is an awesome 2nd disc full of great extra features. But before I get to those, I’ll mention the 1st disc includes a great commentary by director Rob Bowman and editor Kevin Stitt. They’re commentary is almost more interesting than the actual feature itself.

The 2nd disc gets to the heart of the matter with a documentary that is broken up into two parts and features extensive information on the production and post production of the film. Within this documentary you’ll find a god number of interviews and behind the scenes footage. There are also alternate angle shots for several of the film’s sequences as well as three deleted scenes and a handful of alternate or extended scenes. One of these deleted scenes, by the way, has an interesting surprise star (well, maybe not that big of a surprise…). From there we travel into a look Elektra as she has been presented in the comics. This is the featurette that will get most comic book fans salivating as it includes thoughts from some great artists such as Frank Miller, Greg Ruckas and Brian Bendis. You’ll also find a featurette that focuses on Elektra as she appears in Greek Mythology. Throw in some storyboards and art galleries and you have a better than average DVD release for an okay movie.

“Elektra” may be far from the best comic film made in recent times, but it has its high points. Perhaps if a follow up movie is ever made, maybe they’ll do a little better and get it right. But as far as DVD releases go, if you don’t already have the first release and you’re at all a comic book fan, the 2nd disc makes this set well worth having.

Directed by: Rob Bowman
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Goran Visjnic, Kirsten Prout, Will, Yun Lee,
Extras: Commentary by: director Rob Bowman and film editor Kevin Stitt, Relentless: The Making of Elektra: Production and Post-Production, Showdown at the Well: Multi Angle Dailies: Take 3, Take 5, Take 7, & Take 9, Deleted Scenes (with optional commentary by Rob Bowman and Kevin Stitt): Sai Approach, "Come Back To Me", Rounding Up The Troops, Alternate/Extended Scenes: Alternate Opening (with optional commentary by Rob Bowman and Kevin Stitt):Young Elektra Throws Coin Into Wishing Well, Young Elektra Buries Sais, Sais Out Of Ground, Alternate Elektra & Abby, Go Game, "Elektra: Incarnations" comic mythology documentary, "Elektra in Greek Mythology" featurette, Still photo galleries, Storyboards: Elektra in Pool, Mark's House, Alley / Hawk, Abby in the Woods, In the Maze, Kirigi's Death, & Natchios Estate, Original theatrical teaser and trailer
Specifications: Widescreen, DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Fox
Release Date: 11/18/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Elektra: Director's Cut a C+.