While non comic book fans watched three years of their lives flash by with job commitments and watching Donald Trump lecture us about the importance of loathing one another, we comic-birds waited patiently for the arrival of Warner Bros’ follow up to Man of Steel. The announcement of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ at 2014’s San Diego Comic Con left us hoping we don’t flat line after getting hit by an ambulance, getting a stroke right before you pop your cherry or get shot by an aerial tennis ball launcher so we can witness this epic uprising on the big screen for the first time. Let’s take all that back.
This poorly title sequel expands the DC universe’s story by picking up after two years from the events that took place in Man of Steel. The world has accepted Superman amongst them but begs the question as to whether it really needs him. On the side, Bruce Wayne has decided to take him down as believes he poses as a threat to mankind.
Zack Snyder is a man of many talents and while he has graced us with breathtaking movies like Dawn of the Dead, 300 and Watchmen, he has to make us weep with Sucker Punch, Man of Steel, and now, the greatest round up of superheroes on screen of all time.
Warner Bros have chosen to believe he is the right man for the job after years of unsuccessful follow ups, which is a horrible call considering they have brought us great stuff which include the one of a kind ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy. On the other hand, there’s still something worth salvaging beneath this wreckage of a movie.
It is an atrocious movie that deserves some admiration, so let’s hit the jump from a good boy’s perspective. Righting all the wrongs of Man of Steel was its main agenda and does so from the very beginning and gives proper grounds for Wayne to hate Superman, and not because he’s prettier. Its slow pace allows it to focus on a realistic view of today’s world where everyone is accountable for their actions, especially for beings with extraordinary powers and cooks up your emotions, allowing you to feel towards all those who lost their loved ones in Man of Steel.
Within this gloomy hero-tale lies one of the most outstanding and beautiful comic imagery you have ever seen and has Snyder’s slow-mo feels stamped all over it thus making it a visual success. He pays homage to Frank Miller with his grim Batman who shares mind whopping action sequences with an interestingly constructed Batmobile that will take you on an explosive ride which eventually leads you to the ultimate face off, one that manages to satisfy every comic lover’s obese appetite. It’s quite clear Snyder understands the needs of these characters and how they must emerge from their private rooms. With the IMAX experience visually transcending the movie, it will let you fully appreciate DC’s world onscreen and what it has in store.
Henry Cavill’s second crack at the sexy alien seems to have gotten worse. He carries the weight of a superhuman’s problems but comes off acting like a brooding teenager with trivial problems that stem as far as girl worries and pimple insecurities. He has proven himself as a great actor in movies like Man from UNCLE and the Tudors TV series, yet does little to convince you as Clark Kent, which is something you look forward after Man of Steel omitted the need for him. All this is in abundance thanks to the lack of a light hearted storyline which was needed to let him carry himself well on screen.
On the other hand, Ben Affleck takes full advantage of the dark tone of the film. While initially being cornered by negative reactions, he surpasses expectations, and manages to fully embody both Bruce Wayne and Batman’s personalities. His Bruce Wayne resembles that which we have seen in the comics, while his Batman is the most terrifying one till date and who definitely carries this entire movie. Another shocking addition was Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman who received the same reaction from fans out there, whose comments ranged from her being physically flimsy to her lack of globes. She personifies everything that surrounds the idea of peace, by personating an elegant, graceful and fierce warrior. Other A-list additions to the cast include Jesse Eisenberg’s Alexander Luthor, the son of the famous Lex Luthor, who is as ominous as his hair locks. Pre conceived notions led to everyone disliking towards him as they thought he was Lex all this time when he is a new character entirely. Eisenberg brings a very interesting personality to junior., which is definitely an acquired taste. The movie also reprises Amy Adams and Lawrence Fishburne as Lois Lane and Perry White along with Jeremy Irons as Alfred who proves he knows how to use, his hands.
It’s evident they were compensating for the movie’s lack of big boy pants by marketing it. Coughing it up ‘write’ from the get go, was an expected and flawless script by Argo’s screenwriter. Sadly, its unintelligent story comes off as a brain teaser for kids and a horrible Dumb and Dumber sequel with flying heroes to adults. Like that complication wasn’t enough, we are blinded by bright explosions and problematic areas that can be questioned by a drunk person which changes the movie from a hero drama to a Frankenstein’s monster flick with poor CGI, making it look like a horrible live action animated movie. This leads to the heroes fighting, leaving you stretching your mind to see that underwears over suits are acceptable so that it can match up to this movie’s mindless momentum.
Batman v Superman flies low and right into the darkness, leaving you begging for a take back. While Warner Bros have managed to produce the next Batman & Robin after giving an arm and a leg to fund this bad compilation of the world’s most beloved characters, it’s bearable and has its moments. The only thing you can do is hope for a better, more humor filled DC world, which will happen if someone takes Snyder’s place. Sure, it’s not as bad as they say and it would be wise to not follow all the negative talk, as it deserves a fan’s opinion rather than critique from a critic.
With all that said and done, a better name is in order, preferable something along the lines of ‘Dawn of Injustice’. Yes, go ahead and a take a moment. Everyone is left grief-stricken, so you’re not alone.
Catch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice at least in IMAX once in a theatre around you!
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