The skirmish between Daredevil and Echo in the new Disney+ series has left some Marvel fans disappointed over its use of CGI effects. Episode 1 of Echo culminates in an extended brawl between Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) and Matt Murdock’s Daredevil (Charlie Cox). Their no-holds-barred fight is visceral and cringe-inducing. But the closing moments rely on some distracting computer effects.

Controversy Rises Over CGI Effects in Daredevil and Echo’s Brutal MCU Fight

Charlie Cox
Charlie Cox as Daredevil

Many viewers have taken issue with the scene’s CGI enhancements during the final clash. As Daredevil hurls Echo through a window, her CGI body can be seen tumbling down in slow motion.

Some fans felt the VFX took them out of the moment, despite praise for the long tracking shot and fight choreography overall.

The flashy effects stood out since most of the fight utilizes practical stunt work for a gritty, realistic feel recalling Daredevil’s acclaimed Netflix show. Here are a few more fan critics on the scene : 

 

Director Sydney Freeland had touted the scene as an impactful continuous shot showing Echo’s transformation “from teenage girl to brutal murderer.” But the immersion broke for some when CGI entered the frame.

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Is Marvel Overcorrecting From Earlier MCU Fight Scene Complaints?

Charlie Cox and Alaqua Cox will fight it off in Echo
Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Marvel Studios’ Echo

While Echo’s fight scene dazzles overall, the CGI has sparked renewed criticism of Marvel’s approach to action scenes. Many previous MCU shows and films have been called out for choppy, rapid-cut fight editing and overreliance on visual effects over practical stuntwork.

So in aiming to “wow” viewers with Echo’s long tracking shot, showrunners may have felt pressure to stick the superhero landing with a big VFX flourish.

Charlie Cox will be seen fighting against Alaqua Cox
Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez

But that CGI high-flying move seems to have backfired for some hardcore Marvel fans. Echo’s action hits harder in the brutally grounded moments between Cox and Cox trading punches and throws.

Marvel has increasingly listened to fan criticisms – perhaps toning down the effects to highlight real stunt choreography is next.

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Still, many viewers delighted at seeing Cox’s Daredevil hold his own in a long-take superpowered showdown, CGI and all. The Disney+ MCU shows have aimed to reward loyal fans, and Charlie Cox‘s return succeeds for many on that front.

But Marvel may need to find a better balance of practical action and seamless effects as it continues exploring grounded street-level stories. When it comes to superhero fights, Echo shows CGI can prove more of a distraction than a spectacle if overused.

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