Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
I know I just reviewed a Batman movie, so forgive me for delving back into the superhero genre. I’ve been in a DC mood lately, so I figured why not. Here is the question that I always ask haters of this film: Was it ever going to truly satisfy? I mean, c’mon. You are talking about one of the greatest superhero clashes of all time. But with all that being said, I will always air on the side that this film is nowhere near as bad as it is made out to be. In fact, I really enjoyed it.
I know that people either love or hate Zack Snyder’s cinematography. For me, I am a fan of most of his work from Dawn of the Dead (2004) to Watchmen. I love his visuals and the stylization of his movies. I think the only one I was not a fan of was Army of the Dead, but that is a conversation for another day. Do I think it was a random idea to give Zack Snyder the keys to the DC kingdom? A little, yes. But the more I watch his films, his style fit what DC is known for and what differentiates them from the MCU: Darkness and a more mature tone.
The film starts off from a very grim standpoint, showcasing the mass destruction being caused from the General Zod fight from Man of Steel, truly showcasing the damage and destruction superheroes can in fact cause. This gives us an inside look at how the feud between Batman and Superman begins, ultimately fast-forwarding 18 months later, where the world continuous to juggle the idea of whether Superman is a threat or an ally.
I think it was a smart move to not include a whole new origin story for Affleck’s Batman and just a few cutscenes during the opening credits, especially considering that The Dark Knight trilogy had just ended a few years prior. Plus, it is a story we have all heard, no need to drill it into our brains for the 50th time. I am still surprised at how well Ben Affleck portrayed Bruce Wayne. Granted he is a much older iteration, but I felt that Affleck hit every box from his brooding physicality to his inner rage that he constantly must fight to keep under control. I am sad we didn’t get to see this Batman more.
Then we get into Henry Cavill’s Superman, which is also subject to controversy. Some love him, some hate him, but I am a lover of comics and the original story, so I feel that there is no other human that is more suited to portray the Man of Steel. Throughout the film, we see Clark continuously battle the guilt of the destruction and peril he caused years before, while also being under scrutiny from the U.S. government. We also get a closer look at his job at the Daily Planet and his relationship with Lois Lane, which helped us see a more personable side of Superman, though very little. I say this because although I think he portrays Superman well, he is very still at times and can come off emotionless. That seems to be his main downfall. We needed more Clark Kent.
Then we have my biggest issue with the film: Jesse Eisenburg’s Lex Luthor. This is where I really question Snyder’s casting choices – and his devotion to the original story. Lex Luthor, if you were unaware, is a cold, conniving businessman in the comics. Not some manic, young kid who inherited his father’s business and, for lack of a better term, is a spoiled brat. I like Eisenburg in other projects, but this was just bad casting – plain and simple. Are there moments when he is…. okay? Sure, a few, I guess. His entire screen time really bounces back and forth between tolerable and cringe. I can’t say I don’t know why they chose to go with Eisenburg, as it seemed like a poor attempt to try and modernize the character. Although I can’t help but think a middle-aged Luthor would have pitted well against Affleck and Cavill.
For anyone familiar with Snyder, his visual presentation is always going to be the highlight of his films, so there are a lot of great scenes where we see our heroes facing off against criminals, each other, and other worldly beings. I think the action scenes in this film are top-notch and although there are a few that may drag on a little too long and stumble (most action films have those one or two), it still isn’t enough to tarnish the entire scene and does not fail to entertain.
Now with a film this massive and a storyline just as big, how does it bring it all together? I think it does a decent job telling the story and laying everything out for the audience, though I think it can be a bit much to digest. Let’s be honest, this was a BIG film, and was hardly going to be as clean cut as critics wanted it to be. For the fans of the heroes themselves, this film did every bit of fan service it could from the fight scenes to the team up with Wonder Woman.
One thing I think Snyder may have overshot was that this film was not only trying to tell a story that is tough to tell by itself, but it was also trying to set up the Justice League, too. I feel that the story of Batman V Superman is a big enough story to tell all on its own – I mean, it’s one of the biggest comic book stories ever told. That alone carries an enormous amount of pressure. Then you add in the pressures of having to set up an entire cinematic universe and you have too much to handle. That element shows throughout as it rushes through too many moments and giving an insane amount of information to the audience, which ended up being the biggest remark from critics. I think Snyder was simply trying to do too much.
As I sit back and gather my final thoughts, I still can’t bring myself to say that this was a bad film. It was still a fun and entertaining ride with great storytelling and actions that adds on to its already captivating visuals. Personally, I am a fan of the humorless, more dark heroes than I am of the goofy ones (though I can appreciate both). I mean, who comes to a Superman or Batman movie for laughs? Anyway, I am not one of those crazy “Snyder verse” fanboys, and while I do think this movie has its fair share of flaws, it doesn’t deserve half the hate it gets and think it’s a pretty decent film.
4/5