Written by: Kevin Berge
Amazing how a movie that was originally labelled Man of Steel 2 now has a Bat logo and begins with Batman in the title. (Image Courtesy of: comingsoon.net)
Quick Take: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is another flawed but fun film to add to the Zack Snyder filmography with wild, unwieldy pacing, a lack of character development, and storytelling that lets down characters, but fantastic cinematography, unbelievable action, and strong acting almost universally across the board.
***This is quite the recent film, so it would be wrong to have a spoiler heavy review up for the film right after its release. Therefore, this is a completely spoiler free review. It may however allude to directions in the film that could influence the way the viewer watches the movie for the first time. If you are looking to go into the film completely unbiased, do not continue in the review until after seeing the movie.***
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been out in theaters less than a week, and it already is one of the most divisive films in recent memory. That said, this is not a bad film, but it is also not a great film. It is very similar to the level of quality of most of Zack Snyder's films, but it has the added quality of dealing with a whole bunch of comic book lore.
It was always going to be difficult to play off the ultimate face off of DC's most iconic superheroes particularly given both superheroes' other film success. The original Superman film were the original proof good comic book films could be made while the Tim Burton Batman films proved the point.
We are not far removed from Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy which are often considered classic films all on their own, separate from the comic book genre. Both Superman and Batman are character you cannot simply use to sell a film. You need to do them justice, and, in a sense, that is where Zack Snyder's new film causes so much division.
This is a film with a ton of comic book influences. Naming a few of the comics would give away spoilers, but the front and center influence was Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. While considered a definitive comic book classic, the comic also makes serious changes to the Batman character that make an adaptation of the comic in any way dangerous.
This comes to the forefront early on and never falters. This is a dark and brooding film. Anyone coming in expecting Marvel's quick wit will be sorely disappointed. In fact, despite holding a PG-13 rating, this is not a film for kids similar to its comic book influences. An R rating feels only marginally avoided.
However, I would not say this isn't a fun film. There is a place for this style of comic book films, taking larger than life characters and forcing them to deal with their own mortality and issues of death and destruction. There always has been, and this film could easily have taken the reigns of that side of portraying comic book characters.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been out in theaters less than a week, and it already is one of the most divisive films in recent memory. That said, this is not a bad film, but it is also not a great film. It is very similar to the level of quality of most of Zack Snyder's films, but it has the added quality of dealing with a whole bunch of comic book lore.
It was always going to be difficult to play off the ultimate face off of DC's most iconic superheroes particularly given both superheroes' other film success. The original Superman film were the original proof good comic book films could be made while the Tim Burton Batman films proved the point.
We are not far removed from Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy which are often considered classic films all on their own, separate from the comic book genre. Both Superman and Batman are character you cannot simply use to sell a film. You need to do them justice, and, in a sense, that is where Zack Snyder's new film causes so much division.
This is a film with a ton of comic book influences. Naming a few of the comics would give away spoilers, but the front and center influence was Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. While considered a definitive comic book classic, the comic also makes serious changes to the Batman character that make an adaptation of the comic in any way dangerous.
This comes to the forefront early on and never falters. This is a dark and brooding film. Anyone coming in expecting Marvel's quick wit will be sorely disappointed. In fact, despite holding a PG-13 rating, this is not a film for kids similar to its comic book influences. An R rating feels only marginally avoided.
However, I would not say this isn't a fun film. There is a place for this style of comic book films, taking larger than life characters and forcing them to deal with their own mortality and issues of death and destruction. There always has been, and this film could easily have taken the reigns of that side of portraying comic book characters.
Zack Snyder was starting to work on Man of Steel 2, and then he realized he really didn't care about Superman and really just wanted a Batman film. And who hasn't had that kind of realization every now and then? Even Lego recently did. (Image Courtesy of: comingsoon.net)
However, this movie is every bit the sequel to Man of Steel in terms of pacing. Clocking in at two hours and 33 minutes, it is hard to notice it by the end as this movie flies. You would be forgiven for missing whole sections of this film as they fly without explanation. The length matters little to the film which once again sacrifices crucial story building elements for spectacle.
Do not go into this movie expecting to care about the motivations of the characters. While occasional strong moments create emotional scenes, too often the audience is expected to just accept what it presented to them as the whole answer to far more complex questions. These characters are never given a second to breathe.
This comes down to Zack Snyder's pacing whose films are so consistently erratic it has become almost unbelievable. At some point, the director has to look back at his work and see that there is a reason most films do not move this quickly all the time. Instead of giving characters necessary space, he creates a few scenes of strong emotion and forgoes the rest.
Once more, it feels like this could have been two full films with how much is presented. In fact, it's certainly more than a mix of two major comic arcs. If there had been a whole film just devoted to building up Superman and Alexander Luthor's conflict, then his turns to later set up this Superman and Batman conflict would be much smoother and feel less unwieldy.
The editing in general for this film is quite sudden and sharp, never quite feeling like any scene ends. It is possible that the Ultimate Edition of the film to be released on the Blu-Ray as a Rated R cut will fill in these issues, but it may just continue to muck things up by adding more without developing more.
The writing is mixed as well, likely partially driven by the pacing. There is some strong symbolism and dialogue that is memorable but also some bizarre turns that never quite make sense. Even hints that remain unanswered to be explored in future films feel like they could have been better set up and executed.
This film though is most likely to be ridiculed for the writing's portrayal of its larger than life characters. Batman in particular is largely derived from the grim, older, more morally black version that Frank Miller created, and this will divide audiences greatly. Superman is less affected but is in desperate need of some time to just relax after two full movies of racing action.
Luckily, the film is not quite as macho as Man of Steel and does give its female characters, Wonder Woman and Lois Lane, some room to stand on their own if both feel a tad bit strung along to fit in with Wonder Woman in particular having some of the film's best moments. Lex Luthor though is so written with such wild flair he is unrecognizable from any other Luthor representation so far with a few strong qualities and some glaring issues.
Do not go into this movie expecting to care about the motivations of the characters. While occasional strong moments create emotional scenes, too often the audience is expected to just accept what it presented to them as the whole answer to far more complex questions. These characters are never given a second to breathe.
This comes down to Zack Snyder's pacing whose films are so consistently erratic it has become almost unbelievable. At some point, the director has to look back at his work and see that there is a reason most films do not move this quickly all the time. Instead of giving characters necessary space, he creates a few scenes of strong emotion and forgoes the rest.
Once more, it feels like this could have been two full films with how much is presented. In fact, it's certainly more than a mix of two major comic arcs. If there had been a whole film just devoted to building up Superman and Alexander Luthor's conflict, then his turns to later set up this Superman and Batman conflict would be much smoother and feel less unwieldy.
The editing in general for this film is quite sudden and sharp, never quite feeling like any scene ends. It is possible that the Ultimate Edition of the film to be released on the Blu-Ray as a Rated R cut will fill in these issues, but it may just continue to muck things up by adding more without developing more.
The writing is mixed as well, likely partially driven by the pacing. There is some strong symbolism and dialogue that is memorable but also some bizarre turns that never quite make sense. Even hints that remain unanswered to be explored in future films feel like they could have been better set up and executed.
This film though is most likely to be ridiculed for the writing's portrayal of its larger than life characters. Batman in particular is largely derived from the grim, older, more morally black version that Frank Miller created, and this will divide audiences greatly. Superman is less affected but is in desperate need of some time to just relax after two full movies of racing action.
Luckily, the film is not quite as macho as Man of Steel and does give its female characters, Wonder Woman and Lois Lane, some room to stand on their own if both feel a tad bit strung along to fit in with Wonder Woman in particular having some of the film's best moments. Lex Luthor though is so written with such wild flair he is unrecognizable from any other Luthor representation so far with a few strong qualities and some glaring issues.
At this point, you just assume Snyder thinks Superman's whole character is just Jesus as an alien. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
Where this film absolutely triumphs is its action and cinematography. Cinematographer Larry Fong puts so much strong symbolism into the shots in action and in character moments that it is hard not to be impressed. While some of the work can get a bit overbearing, it never ceased to be impressive.
The action as a whole is unlike anything ever put to film. The fight particularly between Superman and Batman is so brilliantly done that there's no moment to even blink. It's furious and grandiose. Other action scenes throughout have that same spark. There is a bit too much computer generation of the actual actors in action, but it is forgivable with such a gigantic vision.
The acting in the film is also impressive largely. Ben Affleck who has had a recent career resurgence pulls out one of the best performances of his career as a frightening and seemingly disturbed and untrusting Bruce Wayne. He is also solid as Batman though it can be difficult to tell how strong he is in the role when he's mostly just in action when wearing the cowl.
Henry Cavill again is good as Superman and has the right drive as Clark Kent the reporter. He really shines in the emotional moments which are too far apart. Gal Gadot has limited screentime but makes the most of it, having the right mystery and strength for the role. Her accent makes her stand out as well in the role though hopefully it doesn't take away from the ability to hear her dialogue in larger roles.
Jesse Eisenberg is less successful as Alexander Luthor, the wildly erratic, possibly disturbed, and power hungry main villain. He has some strong moments of menace and some interesting moments where he shows signs of anger and frustration, but that side is not explored enough in the film. In the second half of the film, his performance veers off into over the top mode, losing much of that quieter threat. At no point does this feel like Superman's ultimate nemesis Lex, but that may come down to the script.
The rest of the cast are largely strong. Amy Adams is helped by a stronger script and gives a stronger performance with it. Jeremy Irons is pitch perfect as Alfred. He and Laurence Fishburne (who returns with a stronger performance as Perry White) are much of the film's comic relief.
Hans Zimmer's score sings throughout this film heightening the tension throughout. In fact, some of the scenes are heavily elevated by the foreboding and exciting edges to a few of these works by Zimmer. He takes strong work from Man of Steel and brings it up another level with one of his best and most impactful works to date.
This film is just as flawed as any other film that Zack Snyder has helmed; however, it is far too well acted and far too enjoyable to call a bad film. If you can forgive the film's overreaching plot and divisive moves, this film is actually a stronger film than Man of Steel and may be my favorite work by Snyder so far which may say more of my view on his work to this point.
More than anything, this film creates the groundwork for the DCU, and it does so in a way that is telegraphed too strongly and should have been done more slowly. However, it succeeds in creating real lasting optimism for this new universe with strong leads and story hints that should give rise to more full scale threats. Hopefully, the films will also slow down just a bit to let this actors breathe in their roles and make the characters truly come to life.
The action as a whole is unlike anything ever put to film. The fight particularly between Superman and Batman is so brilliantly done that there's no moment to even blink. It's furious and grandiose. Other action scenes throughout have that same spark. There is a bit too much computer generation of the actual actors in action, but it is forgivable with such a gigantic vision.
The acting in the film is also impressive largely. Ben Affleck who has had a recent career resurgence pulls out one of the best performances of his career as a frightening and seemingly disturbed and untrusting Bruce Wayne. He is also solid as Batman though it can be difficult to tell how strong he is in the role when he's mostly just in action when wearing the cowl.
Henry Cavill again is good as Superman and has the right drive as Clark Kent the reporter. He really shines in the emotional moments which are too far apart. Gal Gadot has limited screentime but makes the most of it, having the right mystery and strength for the role. Her accent makes her stand out as well in the role though hopefully it doesn't take away from the ability to hear her dialogue in larger roles.
Jesse Eisenberg is less successful as Alexander Luthor, the wildly erratic, possibly disturbed, and power hungry main villain. He has some strong moments of menace and some interesting moments where he shows signs of anger and frustration, but that side is not explored enough in the film. In the second half of the film, his performance veers off into over the top mode, losing much of that quieter threat. At no point does this feel like Superman's ultimate nemesis Lex, but that may come down to the script.
The rest of the cast are largely strong. Amy Adams is helped by a stronger script and gives a stronger performance with it. Jeremy Irons is pitch perfect as Alfred. He and Laurence Fishburne (who returns with a stronger performance as Perry White) are much of the film's comic relief.
Hans Zimmer's score sings throughout this film heightening the tension throughout. In fact, some of the scenes are heavily elevated by the foreboding and exciting edges to a few of these works by Zimmer. He takes strong work from Man of Steel and brings it up another level with one of his best and most impactful works to date.
This film is just as flawed as any other film that Zack Snyder has helmed; however, it is far too well acted and far too enjoyable to call a bad film. If you can forgive the film's overreaching plot and divisive moves, this film is actually a stronger film than Man of Steel and may be my favorite work by Snyder so far which may say more of my view on his work to this point.
More than anything, this film creates the groundwork for the DCU, and it does so in a way that is telegraphed too strongly and should have been done more slowly. However, it succeeds in creating real lasting optimism for this new universe with strong leads and story hints that should give rise to more full scale threats. Hopefully, the films will also slow down just a bit to let this actors breathe in their roles and make the characters truly come to life.