In 2016 we saw the much anticipated release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, at the time of release it was heavily critisized. A year later and it appears some viewers have changed their opinion after multiple viewings. With much of the criticism lifted with the release of the Ultimate Edition, which was such a big improvement, expanding on crucial plot points from the very beginning of the film. In this article I question if this film truly was the disaster it was labelled and failed to deliver the goods, or was it simply too deep for the uninitiated and even victim to poor editing choices and even it's own built up anticipation leading up to it's release. I am a life long DC Comics fan, I grew up in the 90's during the comic book boom. That said, I am just as invested in Marvel and Image comics as DC, so there is no bias; I love comics. The only thing else that can compare to my love for comics, is for film. I feel it's important to look at thisof the potential significance of the movie that we have been delivered, as with the critical backlash it has recieved, which seems to have already influenced the upcoming Justice League to 'rush' into the optimism, we might not be treated to such an ambitiously uncompromising mainstream superhero film again, and my larger fear of creative stagnation, similar to what I feel the comic book industry is suffering. Could lead to be the second death of this beloved subgenre.
BvS an admitted prologue to The Justice League and the upcoming DCEU should be viewed as the first hardcore, maintstream comic book movie. Second, only to Zack Snyder's Watchmen. This film signifance is in that, where Watchmen was an adaptation of a mini series adapted page by page on screen. What we have with Batman V Superman, is an adaptation and break down of years worth of material but by specifically trying to adapt the tone of The Dark Knight Returns. The series that redefined Batman in the 1980's and was the defining characterization of the character moving forward. With that in mind, I think we can appreciate what Zack Snyder has done, by taking the tone of that book, and applying it to the entire history of the Batman, and the DC Universe. Worth noting, every additional entry in The Dark Knight Returns series, was critically panned as well, the sequel TDK: Strikes Again, and prequel All Star Batman and Robin. The critically acclaimed Batman Year One is part of this canon; as well as the being accepted as the definitive Batman origin story. The difference in history between the main Batman history and Frank Miller's canon splits after that story as well.
Frank Miller, the acclaimed writer of Dark Knight Returns has written a few follow-ups over the years building upon his Dark Knight Returns Mythology. During the course of this Dark Knight Saga, he has begun to shape a history of Batman with stories that took place during the beginning of his career showing, the unsure, amateur, who hasn't found his footing in the role of crime fighter in Batman: Year One, to the more openly disturbed, vulgar and harsh Batman seen in All Star Batman and Robin, to the more revered definite take seen in the The Dark Knight Returns, and it's sequels; Strikes Again and Master Race. 2016 also saw the release of Last Crusade, which attempted to flesh out The Dark Knight's version of the Death of Jason Todd, ineffectively in my views. In my opinion, this was a creative choice to show growth and progression of the character. Taking a maybe more realistic look at the unhinged personality a character like this would demonstrate in the real world. But this article isn't meant to critique the comics, but I feel it's important to understand the source material. We are reaching a period in comic book films, where our opinions on the source material, will have some affect on our enjoyment of the films, as they're so specifically and faithfully adapting the source material. So anyone looking for a campier version, colorful vision will be left feeling cold.
At first announcement, Batman v Superman seemed at first like a cash in on Batman to boost sales on a disappointing Man of Steel. In my eyes it actually became a great prologue, and jumping off point for the rest of the DCEU. They found a great angle for the conflict between the two by having it start with Bruce Wayne's perspective during the events of Man of Steel. The cameo appearances of Lexcorp and Wayne enterprises in Man of Steel fully built on. It really helps build on Man of Steel, especially the destruction of Metropolis at the end, becoming the initial incident of BvS. Effectively building on the themes establish in Man of Steel trying to fit into a world that isn't quite ready for the Man of Tomorrow. As disappointing and potentially limiting it feels by having an older, world weary Batman, it now feels like a good idea and helps build on the contrast between the two characters. While it's also a tool of contrast, it also shows the similarities. Superman at the beginning of a mission that already feels hopeless, horrified that to save the day he had to turn to murder. Batman near the end of his career, with nothing left, unflinching at the death of his enemies.
Some of the movie's biggest critiscisms are mostly with the characters such as the introduction of Lex Luthor, who admittedly is different from the comics, but not radically so as proclaimed. With the long red locks, head of giant corporation with great political influence being new traits brought to film, these are all modern staples of the character in the comics. This characterization was a shown to be more mentally unstable, but he most definitely was the evil madman from his first appearence in the comics, married with the depiction of him being the head of a large corporation, it was a faithful, well rounded vision of Luthor. In the original cut of the film, Luthor's manipulation of the two leads seems to go over the heads of the viewer. As he very directly orchestrates events from the very beginning of the film, much better shown in the Ultimate Edition. The film ended with the stage set for the emergence of the Bald Lex we know and love, in Justice League. I would be very interested in seeing Luthor redeem himself in the public eye, hit the gym and even find a way to place him in the oval office (real life parallels) which would give possibility for a Batman/Superman sequel, inspired by Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.
Wonder Woman was pitch perfect. Gal Gadot brings everything I envision the character to be. Even her Israeli accent adds some worldly depth to this incarnation. I think it's another testament to Snyder going above and beyond building upon the mythology of these characters. Everything is rooted and based on something from the comics and also a foot in the real world. Consistant tone, creating a sense of history and room for growth.
By the end of the film Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg, even Talon in the Ultimate Cut have been introduced. By the time of the events of Suicide Squad, The Flash already begun crime fighting and has faced Captain Boomerang to have in locked him by the time we meet him in Suicide Squad. Besides the Flash CW series and Arrow this is the first cinematic incarnation of these characters. Even after years of super hero origin stories, these characters can afford to have their beginnings explored without retreading old territory. But hopefully we don't have to wait the standard 30 minutes before we see any in costume action.
Aquaman for me is the chracter that needs his own standalone adventure the most. Not only is this the first live action film starring Aquaman, but this version promises a fresh take on the character by not only having Jason Momoa in the title role, but by rooting it in Polynesian culture. It looks to be an even more promising reboot of the character than the popular Aquaman comic during the New 52 era. An added bonus for any Thrones fans out there who finally get to see the Khal sit on a Throne.
The introduction of Cyborg doesn't have as obvious implications for his solo films, only recently even becoming a member of the League in the comics. The character spent almost his entire publication history as a founding member of the Teen Titans, with no real solo storyline or rogues gallery for his own. So we shall wait and see where his solo movie goes, or if it has shifted into full fledged Titans film as rumored. But the inclusion of the Mother Box in his origin scene the other hand, has some very obvious immediate implications. New Gods. New Genesis. Apokolips. All the characters tied into that cosmic series, that served as inspiration for creation of Star Wars (May The Source Be With You). Darksied, Ruler of Apokolips, been all but promised to be the looming villian for Justice League. I tip my hat to Zack Snyder for having Joe Morton play Cyborg's father, who played Miles Dyson in Terminator 2(father of Cyberdyne/Skynet/Terminators).
One of the most polarizing scenes in the film, the Knightmare, scene really resonated with me. In the history of comics, there have been many, many what if/ elseworld moments, some of the most critically acclaimed stories ever. This scene for me gives credibility to the possibility of elseworld moments, or even whole storylines moving forward, with the follow-up cameo of The Flash seemingly travelling through time/space to give Bruce a message really exclaims that point for me. Almost screaming Flashpoint (Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Thomas Wayne), but giving potential for Kingdom Come, Injustice inspired stories, even if it doesn't develop into elseworld films, it's a nice reference. I loved the use of the music from 2001 for the beginning of the scene in the Ultimate Edition. I think I wasn't the only one blown away seeing Parademons for the first time.
I need to praise absolutely everything Batman related in the film. Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne was so good it was almost meta, as we treat him as the incapable oaf in the media all the time as Bruce Wayne would, and he's a beast in the film (and behind the camera please make The Batman, and please don't rush him WB) my only issue is if his age will limit his longevity in the role, but the age is a dimension to the character. If we even get one complete solo trilogy with this much mythology crammed into it, it'll be more than enough. From the costume, to the gadgets and cave, Batman has been brought to life in stunning fashion, the cave is perfect, unless you wanted to nitpick it to look more cave-y, or the missing t-rex, oversized joker card or two-face's dollar, it doesn't leave much more to be desired besides simply more time spent there in future films. I'm already slightly saddened to see Justice League went with a new version of the costume, I absolutely loved the suit in this movie and will probably inform how I imagine Batman moving forward. I even have to make a note of Ben's hair piece that he wore in the role, really giving him the Bruce Wayne look in Batman TAS.
I can't praise Jeremy Irons' Alfred enough, the perfect mix of many different comic book interpretations of Alfred, with even a slight Pat Hingle likeness. I was excited when I heard rumors of Timothy Dalton for the role of Alfred, a former Bond as Batman's butler, the idea was cool to me, but Iron's for me is the old man Unforgiven Bond we never got. I cannot wait for more scenes with him in the role. I hate to say it but I'd love a prequel or flashback to explore Alfred and Bruce's relationship through the years and the hardships they've endured.
Nobody missed the defaced Robin costume, we know who killed him and that Harley Quinn was an accomplice. We know Batman has never been the same since. But in terms of the comic history I think that speaks to the existance of Dick Grayson, and even him being Nightwing in Bludhaven. It also questions the possibility of events inspired by The Killing Joke having already occured. Gotham City Sirens could also be a smart way of fleshing out more of that storyline if Barbra girl is involved as Oracle for a version of the Birds of Prey.
The biggest division in Batman's portrayl was his viciousness and willingness to kill. I feel that this darkness was alluded to in the comics, but more had to do with a tonal shift in comics in general. In the era where stories were shifting to a darker tone in the 80's after releases like The Killing Joke and The Dark Knight Returns, which was published 2 years before the Death of Jason Todd was published and officially made canon. But in terms of Batman's character development the impact of Jason's death was never really dealt with. Other than an increase in intensity between the archenemiesl and his reluctance to recruit another Robin. Batman's moral code was never shaken enough to have him become ruthless enough to actively kill criminals. Even if they were in-vehicle kills, this Batman doesn't mind letting the enemy suffer casualties. In Batman canon, his cynical ways turn off Dick Grayson from following in his footsteps and leads him to becoming his own man as Nightwing. The conflict of interest between those two never was expressed a direct result of the death of Jason but Batman's already cynical nature. In his first appearences Batman did carry a firearm and killed his enemies but was retconned in the 80's. Batman's methods only became harsher in the sense that he wasn't afraid of permanently breaking his enemies, for example when he breaks a thug's spine in The Dark Knight Returns, or another example, in Batman Noel, he decides it best to confront the Joker's thug in front of his young son, to make an example of him, to not to follow in his father's footsteps. In Batman Noel, the story a homage to the history of Batman, deals with the increasing darkness surrounding Batman's mission and what started as a crusade, became a war on crime once he suffers a casualty, changing from his 60's Adam West inspired outfit into someting more akin to a suit of armor (The Dark Knight). It's almost an extension of the theme from The Dark Knight, where the Joker spent the entire movie, trying to force Batman to break his one rule. This movie starts with Batman having succuumbed to the Joker, The Joker has won.
I think it was a smart creative decision to challenge our perceptions of such a loved character by showing his fall from grace and into the villian, but basing this in the character's mythology making good use of the history in a way that makes sense and is fresh, creates a pitch perfect comic accurate tone, and room for growth and redemption for the character in future films.
Superman has had it the hardest trying to get a successful adaptation on screen. Batman v Superman is, by far my favorite movie featuring Superman. Man of Steel was great as well, and I loved how that film found interesting existential observations and challenges for Superman in a realistic, if not, dark and cynical way, I read of a deleted scene that had Superman using selective super hearing to block out cries for help around the world while he's searching for Lois Lane. Some felt that would be much too dark for Superman, but to me, that makes absolute sense. That is an interesting take on Superman to me, as much of a far cry from the he original 1978 Superman movie as it is, which was universally hailed as a classic masterpiece. I'm sure you remembered it's ending, with the Man of Steel flying around the world until he reversed time to save Lois Lane. I'm sorry but that's one of the worst endings I've ever seen, but we forgive it because the movie was a classic? Man of Steel, doesn't take the easy way out, it is always hard, he can never save everyone, he can never be everywhere at once, maybe it's even best if he doesn't use his powers at all and let's life and death run it's course, that's one of the main things that humanizes Superman, he can't save everyone, he has to make choices and you know what, he might even make mistakes, and become discouraged like everyone else would. Superman in comics has been struggling as well to find an angle that resonates with audiences, as writer's struggle with an all powerful character like Superman. A characterization just like this is what I think Superman has needed and I think we're in the middle of a Superman trilogy that really has been doing a great job creating that interesting, relatebale Superman, who is struggling to find meaning and hope in his existance on an alien world, and hopefully now can be reborn and become that beacon and symbol of hope we all know as and love him for being, the unequivocal light in the darkness. If there's been any christ like imagery applied to Superman before in comic or film, I don't think it's ever translated as well as it does here, with his death and sacriface and soon the obvious rebirth.
A little bit more on the Death of Superman aspect, this more than any other moment in the film, I can agree with it not living up to it's full potential. I fully believe that Doomsday would have been an adequate villian for the Justice League film, but I do understand his use here, but I really could have gone for a 3 act fight scene, one on one with Superman, then the Justice League and then finish together united with Superman sacrifacing himself and the League left to pick up the pieces. But it did in at least one aspect trump the original comic by including the trinity, Batman and Wonder Woman in the conflict against Doomsday, who were absent during the original comic, filled in by a B-list Justice League of the 90's. But using the Death of Superman to spur Batman into recruting the members of what will become the Justice League is also an effective storytelling decision, effectively giving Batman's mission new meaning, bringing Wonder Woman into the world of man once again. Also a nice touch with the tragic, but alluded to wedding of Lois Lane and Clark Kent which is another classic Superman moment.
With the vast amount of mythology touched upon in this one film alone, setting in motion not just Justice League, but the entire DC universe on screen is incredibly ambitious, with characters at different point in their careers, matched with the stunning cinematography that is leaps and bounds ahead of Marvel Studios cinematography (The Avengers looked like the biggest budgeted TV movie ever), production design, and overall tonal risk I feel like we were treated to a fully realized comic book adaptation, that isn't afraid to give a fresh, take on these classic characters and their mythology and leaving them with room to grow into the fully realized characters we know and love. But I think we need to be patient with the road to get there, and the material being drawn from for inspiration in these adaptations, as I feel our very taste in comics and our preferences for the stories/creators very much informs the viewing experience for the film. Anyone looking for the Richard Donner Superman who will fly around the planet until time reverses to save Lois Lane, or a Dark Knight who has lived long enough to see himself become the villian, may not be on board with a deconstructive Frank Miller/Snyder vision of the DC mythology.
I briefly mentioned Suicide Squad earlier, and I want to touch on that once more, being the companion movie to help develop the DCEU, introducing us to a team of c-list, b at best rogues, the supernatural side of DC and the Joker, previously mentioned. I think it also did a noble job of being another 'prologue' of sorts for the DC universe, helping flesh out some of the history and these new elements of the DC universe. They created fresh new takes on C-list villians, giving them definitive new makeovers, this is for sure my ideal version of Captain Boomerang moving forward, same for Deadshot, even though I still wanted more footage of him in the mask, but thankful it was included. These are characters we would have no business in seeing otherwise who are not big enough threats to be significant villians in their counterparts movie, unless someone like Boomerang showed up in The Flash as part of the rogues, which I can see now after this movie, after working in this team dynamic. I think it was a great film to flesh out the what could have easily gone as an overlooked part of the DC universe, but again I could be biased again for enjoying it so much as it was essentially Escape From New York starring Will Smith and Batman's rogues.
Another really interesting thing about the film I want to mention was how it gave potential to set up The Dark Universe film, introducing the magical, horror, supernatural elements with the inclusion of the Enchantress, and really helping blow open the doors for all manner of potential DC/Vertigo films to follow.
The Joker, probably the most divisive character in Suicide Squad ,despite the small amount of screentime brought a very fresh, take on the Joker. Very uncomfortable, feeling like a predator that uses anything possible to make his victims uncomfortable, but never really acting out of character for the Joker but his portrayl is consistant with not only The Dark Knight Returns, the revered Animated Series, Grant Morrison's version seen in Black Glove and also Arkham Asylum. The highly distrubed, philosophical, sexualized version hinted at in all these interpretations, fully realized. His tattoo's an issue for many, was first seen actually in Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin, both sharing a dragon tattoo on the back. As All Star Batman was plagued by delays and cancelled before completion, we only had a hint of this early version of the Dark Knight Returns, apparently tattooed Joker, who had been seen having sex early on in his introduction in the All star series, before murdering his first victim. I feel the manifestion of his nickname Clown Prince of Crime, being under appreciated with his crime boss aesthetic. But I think personal bias, my appreciation of David Ayer's previous work, his gritty tone in his hyper realistic action movies, and portrayl of criminals, cartels and gangs, and how that informed his take on these characters made him a great choice for helping develop the characters, and how work by Azzarello as well as Miller influences are apparent in his final vision. But without much time to really delve into the character development on screen, I think they did a great job with what was essentially another prologue to the DCEU. Acknowledging character history, establishing a consistant tone inspiried by one of comic's classics, and opening the door to the future.I think it's a testament to the quality of the performances, especially the Joker that fans are clamoring to see these 'cut' Joker scenes, even if they were seemingly cut for a reason, but just to see more of that character. I think people forgot that it was not a Joker movie at all, and that it really was a treat to have him even included and I'm sure it's a safe bet he's being saved for a meatier role in the future.
I really am excited for the future of the DC Universe, they have started with giving us a great serious reimagining that wasn't afraid to take a hard look at Superman, continued by Batman V Superman that wasn't just a cash in of a crossover, but managed to subvert expectations and give a fresh take on 75 year old characters and the iconic meeting of the two. Followed by Suicide Squad, a film which I never even knew I had wanted. I am very excited for them to tackle the more iconic characters, The Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, The Batman and the fresh, deconstructive take that has just as much emphasis on the super as the human aspect.
I know Batman V Superman isn't perfect, but I did love it and it has really stuck with me since I first saw it almost a year ago, but I feel that it's a movie that really needs to be re-considered, as I haven't seen reception on a movie so divisive. I didn't like the film the first time I saw it, but that was based on years worth of expectation and pre-concieved notions of what I thought I wanted. I expected a movie like what Marvel has been delivering over the years, and after seeing Batman v Superman, this is not that and that's okay. I think we deserve something different. If the audience was as critical of Captain America: Civil War as they were with Batman V Superman, I believe it would have 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, as that film took a lot more liberties with the source material, questionable story points and some weak character development (Black Panther). Unlike Batman v Superman, which got better with repeat viewings, and greater consideration, Civil war gets easier to rip apart and critique, and I applaud DC for being brave enough to kill their protagonist when the story allows it.
I think if we are unfairly outspoken and critical of what DC has delivered, I fear we'll scare the studio into taking away creative control from Snyder and Co. and compromising the creative vision of this saga that's unfolding. I don't want DC to be scared into taking a safer, uninspired route, and delivering something more like the family friendly Marvel films. What I feel is more shallow, soft, unrealistic, escapist pop corn films, instead of this ambitious, deconstructive, surreal take on iconic super heroes that inhabit a world that like ours, is sometimes hard to hold onto hope.