Movie Breakdown: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Pre-Screening Stance:
The mostly good Man of Steel jump started the DC Cinematic Universe, and now Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is here to make it or break it. Aside from the Dark Knight, there’s also Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor and Doomsday on hand to help make the film flashy enough. I’m excited but admittedly pretty cautious – Zack Snyder strikes out big sometimes.
Post-Screening Ramble:
I liked Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but it’s a weird film. As I watched it, I was reminded of the theatrical version of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Now before you cry out in angry confusion, know that I don’t mean it has a similar story or characters (obviously), it’s more that it plays as though it’s been purposefully truncated for theaters. Zack Snyder has already talked about a three-hour director’s cut, and even though the current BvS feels a little long, I think an extra half hour would actually make it better. As it stands now, Snyder’s superhero showdown is alright, but you should definitely keep your expectations in check. There’s a lot in the film that happens simply because it’s supposed to, there’s a bunch of bits that makes no sense at all, and the big baddie Doomsday feels tacked on. Again, this could all be due to there being scenes that have been cut short or completely taken out, but who knows for sure. On the bright side, all things about Ben Affleck’s Batman are awesome, I liked Jesse Eisenberg’s manic Lex Luthor and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman works well enough (there’s potential there, I think).
You should see BvS, if only because it’s a total spectacle that needs to be experienced in a theater. Just be sure you don’t roll in thinking it’s the next great comic book film – it isn’t. Maybe the eventual director’s cut will be?
One Last Thought:
I really hope Ben Affleck gets the chance to do a solo Batman film. His battered, jaded Caped Crusader might be the best big screen interpretations of the character ever, and I want more.
