“Elektra” (20th Century Fox)
Jennifer Garner was introduced as the character “Elektra” in the Ben Affleck starrer “Daredevil.” At the end of that film she died. But this being the movies, and Elektra being a Marvel Comic Book character, she is baaaaaack! And now she has her own movie, titled “Elektra,” and Affleck is nowhere in sight.
In this new movie she is hale and hearty and acting as a paid assassin. Of course she only takes out bad guys but she still seems a bit bloodthirsty. Her latest assignment takes her to a house situated on a lake where she waits to find out the names of her next victims. Meanwhile she meets a cute teenager named Abby (Kristen Prout) and her father Mark (Goran Visnjic).
Elektra later finds out they are supposed to be her new targets, but she decides to protect them rather than kill them. She takes them to the retreat of her mentor Stick (Terrence Stamp), but even he can not keep the men hunting them at bay. These men with mystical powers use every trick in their arsenal to capture Abby and kill her father and Elektra.
All of this sounds exciting and fast moving but it isn’t. This plot seems stretched to the breaking point as it moves along from point to point. The fight sequences are okay but not terribly thrilling, and the acting in the movie is pedestrian.
Garner just isn’t right for the role of the cold and brutal Elektra. She has the physical prowess but her emotional range is from A to A. Anything other than sweet young thing is beyond her abilities. She doesn’t get much help from Visnjic or Prout. They are in the acting class behind her.
Only Stamp seems in control of his character and able to convey some true emotion. As Elektra’s mentor he is sensitive and dynamic. Stamp has been around a few years and his experience makes him head and shoulders the best actor in the film.
The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and profanity.
Whatever charisma Jennifer Garner possesses, it is not on display in this film. She sulks her way though it all and never gives off the spark the role needs. Elektra needs to be electrifying but Garners power wattage is lacking. Her energy couldn’t light a lamp much less a movie.
With this film being only mildly entertaining there is doubt we will have an “Elektra 2.” Maybe they could put her and Catwoman in a movie together and try to energize them both. Perhaps two negatives could create a positive.
I scored “Elektra” a non-electrifying 5 out of 10.
