KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has rejected an appeal to reconsider the ban o­n the Hollywood film Daredevil starring Ben Affleck because it contains "excessive violence," officials said today.

Distributor 20th Century Fox had appealed to the Film Censorship Board seeking a review after the state-owned Film Censorship Board imposed a ban two weeks ago.

The film is an adaption of the Marvel Comics character Daredevil.

When contacted, 20th Century Fox declined to comment o­n the verdict. "We have no comments," o­ne official told AFP .

The movie, originally scheduled for general screening beginning Thursday, was banned from Malaysian screens February 11.

Unsuitable theme

The Star newspaper said Friday a 15-member team from the censorship board heard the appeal before making their decision, which is final.

The panel's secretary Lukeman Saaid said they felt the movie had violent content and other unhealthy elements.

"The theme of the movie is just not suitable. It focused o­n secret societies, the Mafia and fighting scenes using weapons," he said.

Vigilante acts by the comic book legend known as the "Man Without Fear," a lawyer by day and "killer" by night, were also cited as reasons for the ban.

Chor Chee Heung, deputy home minister, recently said most films vetted by the censorship board were passed.

Films were o­nly banned, he said, if they contained "excessive violence and sexual material or elements which can create chaos in the community." - AFP