Logan Sork Film Reviews
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
After Man of Steel was released to theatres, Warner Bros. decided that it was time to expand the world of Superman into a larger shared universe containing other DC characters. Zack Snyder would return to direct and Ben Affleck would join as Batman and the film would introduce the world of DC comics as it would introduce everyone to the characters of this world while giving fans what they’ve waited to see for a long time- Batman and Superman fighting each other on the big screen. When the film as released, people hated it and called it too dark and too serious, they complained that there was no fun to be had and that it was extremely disappointing. I’m in the minority when it comes to this film and personally I love it for many different reasons. Sure, it’s got some problems, but to me, there is so much more good to be found in this film that it manages to outweigh the bad.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is directed by Zack Snyder and is a direct sequel to Man of Steel and the second entry in the DC Extended Universe. The film’s story centers around the controversy surrounding Superman (Henry Cavill) and his actions that nearly destroyed Metropolis, an event that Batman (Ben Affleck) personally witnessed. Believing that Superman’s powers shouldn’t be unchecked, Batman vows to put Superman in his place, while Superman believes that Batman’s brutal form of justice is too unorthodox. Manipulating these two titans is Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), who views Superman as an affront to humanity. While the two heroes build up to an inevitable clash, the question remains if they will slay each other in battle, or if they can set aside their differences in order to face a much greater threat.
One of the things that I think people miss in this movie is just how much it has to say about the world we live in. One of the running themes in this film is how hate changes our perception of what is actually true. In the film, people are manipulated by the media and talks of destruction to hate superman, while those who were actually saved by him realize just how much good he has done. As humans, we are often terrified of what we cannot comprehend. This is seen in the characters of Batman and Lex Luthor, who see Superman as an unstoppable force of destruction. On the flip side, Lois Lane (Amy Adams) has gotten to know Superman and sees that he understands why people are afraid of him. I think that this film shows a very real reflection of humanity and its hatred towards the unknown, and I think that is something that is often overlooked when this film is viewed.
On the technical side of things, Snyder proves once again he knows how to make a beautiful film. There are so many epic moments and images in this film that there are often to many to count. Another thing that has been improved over the previous film is the action sequences. They feel more streamlined and easier to follow, yet still bring the same intensity and energy that the previous film had. The result of this refinement brings some of the best action sequences I’ve ever seen in a comic book film. The score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL is once again fantastic, as are the visual effects and set designs that help add another dimension to this world. And while Chris Terrio’s script is often overburdened with some unnecessary plot threads, it does provide for some beautiful story moments between characters and some truly great dialogue.
The returning cast from Man of Steel is once again fantastic, but it’s the newcomers that make this film even better than the last. Ben Affleck is fantastic as a darker, world weary Batman/Bruce Wayne and brings a fiery anger to the character and manages to balance I out with a nuanced portrayal as the caped crusaders alter-ego. The film introduces Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman in a minor supporting role, and while she isn’t as good as she is in her own solo film, she still brings a charming yet physical persona to the Amazonian princess. The only cast member I have mixed feelings about is Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. On one hand he has a lot of moments where he crushes it and is very intimidating with excellent dialogue. On the other hand, there are a lot of moments where he is silly and seems more like a carton character than a serious villain, so it’s a mixed bag for me.
Despite my love for this film and the many positive elements I think many people overlook, there are some problems that I think are right in pointing out. While I think the central narrative and conflict is very intriguing, there are some subplots that I think could be removed entirely and have no impact on the story what so ever. One in particular where Lois tries to figure out who’s behind the manipulation of Batman and Superman. We spend a lot of time on this and what a shock, it’s the villain of the film! I mean who could’ve possibly figured that out! There are also a few too many dream sequences in the film, some of which are very obscure and only serve to set up forthcoming events in the franchise. There are also a few moments in the film that I think could’ve been executed a little better, it’s not to say that they were bad, but they just weren’t handled as well as the could’ve been.
Personally, I think that Batman V Superman is one of the most underrated movies ever made. People are so quick to jump on the hate train for this movie, which is ironic since the film explores how hate distorts our perception of certain things. People who are quick to hate on this movie fail to realize how much good can be found here. From the fantastic technical elements like the direction, action sequences, cinematography and music, to the excellent cast and dialogue. Batman V Superman may have problems, but it more than makes up for them with an otherwise fantastic comic book film. And if you’re just willing to have an open mind and give it a chance, you may very well think the same.
8.5/10