Okay, so what's the good stuff. People have said it a million times, but I'll say it here, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman is the best THING in this entire movie. He's probably one of the best Batmans to be ever portrayed in media along with Michael Keaton and the voice work of Kevin Conroy in the animated television shows and movies. This Batman is frightening, brutal, unforgiving, dark, and frightening. This is the type of Batman that would leave criminals to defecate in their pants out of fear. Affleck does a tremendous job of playing a cynical and troubled Batman that has been through the wars, seen the horrors of what the darkest minds of villains can do, and has lost allies along the way. He is truly mentally crippled. But also the way this movie portrays Batman in its various action and visual scenes is quite a sight. We see when he is in combat, he is a brutal, skilled, tactical, and merciless fighting machine, and we witness his distinct movements. For example, there is a scene where Batman has to escape somewhere, and how he moves is like a creature not of this world. A dark creature. A true frightful creature of the night. Something I have always wanted to see Batman portrayed like. And YES, I know, he kills in this movie. And I know to a lot of comic book and Batman purists, that might be a turn off, as part of Batman's code is to not kill his enemies, as that would bring him on the same level as the gunman that killed his parents. But it does not bother me here, because this movie portrays a Batman that is fed up. Has seen the horrors of what villainy and injustice can do. Had witnessed the destruction of a highly inhabited city caused by, in his eyes, a destructive alien. At this point he thinks, the life of the lowest criminal and scum is not worth anything. Bruce also has great chemistry with his trusted butler Alfred (Jeremy Irons). They share the same type of witty banter and interesting conversations that other interpretations have done so well. On top of that Batman's arc does well to compliment his character. I understood why Batman wanted to take down Superman. He doesn't want to see a man that possesses great power to potentially become a destructive overlord that would end mankind. He feels like Superman may be the greatest evil he may come across that needs to be stopped. In all of the scenes including Ben Affleck as Batman, I was totally invested in. Even the way he enters the Bat Cave, which I won't ruin, is probably visually one of the coolest ways Batman has ever entered into his lair.
Then we have Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, in her first on-screen cinematic appearance ever! Its nonsense that after 75 years of this character's existence we are just now in 2016, getting her first big screen debut, but whatever it's finally good to see her. And Gadot definitely delivers as the Amazon warrior princess. She has this mysterious, cunning, witty, determined side to her character which makes her intriguing as well as sexy. And when she's on the battlefield, boy is she a joy to watch. We only got a preview of her, so I cannot wait when the Wonder Woman movie comes out within the next year.
The action scenes are well done as well. I said before, the action scenes that involve Batman are more than amazing! These scenes do justice to the varied combat skills Batman possess, and they serve as highlights of the entire movie. Of course the title fight itself did not disappoint one bit. It is everything I wanted in this fight and more. Though really Superman is incredibly more powerful than Batman, they still found a way to even out the match and make it a plausible yet enjoyably overblown fight. And the final climatic battle with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman teaming up to fight a common threat is a fun spectacle.
The score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL is also impressive. The Wonder Woman theme is just all sorts of awesome that portrays the Amazon/Greek background of the character but also the fierce warrior side of her. The Batman theme is probably one of the best I've heard since Danny Elfman's. It perfectly represents that this Batman is a fearsome creature of the night that preys on the low lives that abuse the innocent. So, yes there is plenty to like about this movie, but....
There is plenty to dislike and frustrated about this movie as well. And I think majority has mainly to do what revolves around Superman and his story. A lot of the stories and characters that deal with Superman's arc are very underwhelming and not that interesting. For example Lois Lane, and her arc is completely pointless in this film. Look in the age of comic book superhero films right now, the cliche of the "damsel in distress" is starting to die as in both movies and television shows that involve comic book female characters, they are becoming more self-reliant, smart, and relatable. Lois is still here just so Superman can save her. I know Amy Adams, who is a talented actress in almost everything else she does, is doing the best she can with this character. But even when there is a scene where she has the opportunity to prove herself useful, Superman still has to save and carry her in his protective masculine arms as she clings close to his chest like a small fragile child. SO GRATING! On top of that the chemistry between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois is pretty non-existent. The scenes they share just seem dead and awkward. I got more chemistry when Batman and Wonder Woman were together that felt kind of camaraderie and even sexual, and they weren't even an item.
Then we have the portrayal of Lex Luthor by Jesse Eisenberg, which is probably one of the most controversial aspects of the movie. Look, I don't hate or love Eisenberg's performance. I thought it was an interesting take on the mad genius, but it did not work all the way through. Except for one scene, in which Lex Luthor became kind of the bastard you love to hate. But if you were to ask me what Luthor's clear motivations and scheme were, I could not give you a straight answer if I tried. It makes little to no sense! He keeps making speeches and how Superman is like a god, and gods are too powerful so they need to be stopped. We don't know if Lex fears Superman, envies him, wants to be more powerful than him, wants to prove that he can take down a god-like being, his motive is never there.
And sadly there is problems with Superman himself. This Superman is always moping and depressed. He has one tone throughout the entire movie. He never smiles, or show any sign of an energetic and multi-layered character. Its like his character never changed from Man of Steel. I had watched that movie recently, and though initially I was harsh on it, but going back I realize there were a lot of things to appreciate, and I get why Henry Cavill had to portray a lost Clark Kent. But here, it begs for a change. Superman at heart is suppose to be a hopeful, positive, and gracious role model that represents Truth, Justice, and the American Way. It's applied that this movie takes place a little over a year and a half after Man of Steel, and we expect this Superman to be a more experienced and secure character. But unfortunately we don't get that. Which is sad because I believe Henry Cavill has the chops to be a great Superman. He has the delivery, the looks, and the presence. I wish he just given a better script and character. It's like they made Batman and Superman the same type of character, and that shouldn't be. What makes the relationship between these two icons great in the comic books and other media is that they are polar opposites, despite the fact that they are both heroes. That's what makes their chemistry and interactions interesting, and that should be presented in their first shared cinematic film together.
Another negative is the editing and story flow. The editing is all over the place, and is always jump cutting to random scenes. I was thinking that maybe director Zack Snyder's motivations was to make this story flow much like a comic book. You know when you read a comic book, sometimes scenes jump back and forth, maybe Snyder was going into that direction. But it didn't go that well. It did not exactly help the story as well, much like a lot of the unnecessary and one-dimensional character motivations. There are also some weird story decisions and plot points. For example, there is a scene where Lex Luthor holds someone who is very close to Superman hostage, but we do not know Luthor got to that connection. Also, as the majority of the title fight between Batman and Superman is intense and entertaining, the conclusion however is a bit of a let down. I know what the movie was trying to do, trying to make Batman realize Superman is just as human as he is and not a destructive alien, but at the same time it was a bit lazy. Another problem with the story is that there are too many plots in this movie. I feel like there is probably two to four different movies crammed into this one. It just should have been focused on Batman and Superman's conflicts with one another and fighting over their motives and ideologies. That alone can fill a two hour movie.
Another controversial aspect of the film is the little hints and Easter eggs that hints at the coming of a Justice League. I do think that the little hints and introductions are a bit lazy, but at the same time it made sense so I accepted it. But there are some hints that lead to a greater future threat for our heroes, and it makes little sense. Maybe dedicated DC comic book readers may get it, but for the average movie going audience, it will fly right over their heads. As much as I don't like when storytellers decided not to be subtle, in this aspect I kind of wish there was a more forceful reminder.
I am so frustrated with this movie for a few reasons. One, because there was so much that I really enjoyed about it and at the same time so much that annoyed me about it. Another reason is that there is potential for a great and entertaining story throughout because of the talent they chose and the story potentials they could have explored. And third, I say that I enjoy it yet I have to admit that it not could have been, but should have been better. What I mean by this is because from leaving the theater, I come to the realization that I did enjoy this movie, I found a lot of it entertaining and fun. But yet I still see it as an okay film. I think it is a little of a crime that the first movie featuring Batman and Superman together should be more thank okay. I think that's why in a lot of parts I find it a little disappointing. If we got Superman's arc better, and presented with a more traditional yet modern interpretation of the character, and fix some of the story and editing problems, we could've gotten a great movie. It is tough to have frustrating conflicts with this film, because I enjoyed yet I know it should have been better. There is half that is near perfect and half that needs a lot of fixing. But overall I'm glad I saw it. It has major issues but the entertaining stuff puts a smile on my face and I look forward to what DC brings next.
GRADE: 76/100
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