SPOILERS: BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE - 6 Things It Got Right And 4 Things It Got Wrong
It's clear that Batman v Superman is a very divisive movie, and even as someone who loved it, I can't deny that it didn't have at least a few issues. Here is what did and didn't work in Dawn of Justice...
It may not be perfect and there's definitely some stuff in there which is likely to upset some fans, but Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a great movie. The fact that it only seems to be getting negative reviews because it's not as "fun" as what Marvel brings to the table is baffling to me, especially as the Zack Snyder helmed release actually feels like a refreshing change of pace compared to their movies.
So, in lieu of a traditional review, I've decided to take a look at the things in the movie which did and did not work. As you may have noticed, I liked it so much that I could only find four bad points, and if I'm being honest, that was tough to do! Still, it's not perfect, but shouldn't be judged on a picture of a tomato. See it this Friday and decide for yourselves, but for now, here are my in-depth thoughts.
Didn't Work: Batman, Mass Murderer
In Batman v Superman, the Dark Knight kills. A lot.
Of course, this isn't the first big screen Batman to dole out a very brutal style of justice and there are plenty of comics which have featured him killing his enemies, but it's still hard not to feel a little uncomfortable watching the Caped Crusader stabbing, shooting, and blowing up the crooks he comes across.
In fairness, this makes sense within the context of the story (if Batman wasn't willing to kill Superman, their fight would be meaningless), but this WILL be the most divisive part of the movie by a mile. While it's an alternate future/dream sequence, Batman using a gun during that desert sequence from the trailers also makes for tough viewing. Snyder justifies it, but as great as Ben Affleck's Batman is, seeing him kill so much is a shame.
Did Work: Justice League Cameos
If you were expecting this movie to end with the Justice League assembled, think again! Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash have very minor cameos, but you know what? They work! Batman and Wonder Woman both access Lex Luthor's files to see that he's been keeping track of all these metahumans.
There's a video of Aquaman deep underwater (he looks f***ing incredible to put it bluntly), Barry Allen racing through a convenience store to stop a robbery, and Cyborg undergoing his transformation via something which looks a lot like a mother box.
However, by far the coolest comes during a dream sequence in which The Flash - covered in armour, but wearing the classic costume beneath - travels back in time to warn Batman that he must put his differences with Superman aside.
Did Work: THAT Fight
Whatever other faults Batman v Superman may or many not have, it certainly delivers when it comes to what the title promises. While Warner Bros. has shown a lot of this battle in the trailers, there's a lot which they haven't revealed, and the epic war these two heroes go through will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Brutal, surprisingly funny when Batman realises his Kryptonite has worn off, and beautifully presented in IMAX (I was fortunate enough to see the movie in 70mm on the UK's largest IMAX screen) this is one of those sequences which is going to go down as one of the greatest ever put in a comic book movie.
Yes, there's a definitive winner, but the way things wrap up is surprisingly emotional and ends up being the perfect way to wrap up this epic conflict.
Didn't Work: Damsels In Distress
This is really only a very minor niggle, but something which definitely stands out in Batman v Superman. While Lois Lane is just as smart as ever, she's used as a damsel in distress on two separate occasions, a rather tired comic book movie trope which wasn't entirely necessary here (especially the second time).
Don't get me wrong, it's not the end of the world and won't ruin the movie for you, but it's a shame to see Lois put in this position. The same thing happens to Martha Kent, though at least that's pivotal to the plot.
However, other than Wonder Woman, female characters in general don't get the best treatment here. Senator Finch is relentlessly bullied by Lex Luthor, and Mercy Graves is quickly killed off without making any sort of real impact, a waste of the talented Tao Okamoto.
Did Work: Doomsday
There was no one more sceptical of Doomsday than me, something which makes it all the more surprising that he works so well here. The way his origin is explained is fine, and while we perhaps could have done with a little more insight into why Lex wanted to create him (especially when the villain seems so confident that Batman will kill Superman), that's ultimately far from a big deal.
Crucially, Doomsday looks much better on the big screen than he did in that trailer - I maintain that he should have never been revealed before the release of the movie regardless - and while Snyder does go a little overboard with the special effects at times during the final battle, watching The Trinity fighting this unstoppable monster is nothing short of epic.
In fact, it's like seeing the comic books come to life.
Did Work: Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor
From the second Jesse Eisenberg was cast as Lex Luthor, there's been a lot of scepticism about whether or not he was the right choice for the role. Well, the actor is superb. His Lex may not be all that much like the comic books in some respects, but in many others he's absolutely perfect.
Delightfully evil and vindictive, he has some ticks which really make him stand out, but the actor's performance is so much more than just a slightly more sinister version of the character he played in The Social Network!
The entire cast are spot on in their roles though; everyone from Jeremy Irons (Alfred Pennyworth) to returning Man of Steel cast members (Laurence Fishburne is a particular highlight as Perry White) are perfect. It's Lex Luthor who I can't wait to see more of though. Bring on Suicide Squad.
Didn't Work: Not Enough Of Batman's World
Let's get one thing straight; Ben Affleck's Batman is indeed the bet big screen take on the Caped Crusader to date. He's absolutely fantastic. However, despite the fact that we spend a fair bit of time with both Bruce Wayne and Batman, we never really spend all that much time in his world.
Yes, there's a lingering glance at Robin's costume, but no more than what we saw in the trailer; there's no mention of Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, or any other sidekicks.
As cool as it is to see Bruce and Alfred working together and exchanging barbs (this is also the best live-action version of him too), we never get a feel of Gotham or what goes on in the Dark Knight's world beyond Clark Kent's take on it. As a result, it feels like we're getting just a glimpse of Batman here, making that solo movie even more essential.
Did Work: The Death Of Superman
I didn't for a second expect Zack Snyder to go down this route, but yes, he actually kills Superman! It's a shocking moment, but one which the filmmaker handles perfectly, and it's without a doubt iconic as a result.
The best thing about this though isn't the shock factor or Snyder's decision to stick to the source material; it's the fact that Superman actually sacrifices himself. I didn't really go into this movie as a huge fan of the Man of Steel, but the scene in which he stabs Doomsday with a Kryptonite dagger, only to further impale himself on the villain's sword like arm is a great moment which proves to Batman and the world that he truly is a hero who will do anything to save this world.
Powerful, moving, and very emotional, Snyder took a great comic book moment and made it even better.
Didn't Work: Not Enough Surprises
Perhaps what I do for a living is to blame for this point, but Batman v Superman isn't a movie with a lot of surprises. Some grafitti seemed to point to The Riddler, but it's otherwise very light on Easter Eggs, and Warner Bros. definitely showed too much in the trailers.
The Trinity is a shot which should have been saved for the big screen, and while I can't deny that there's an awful lot in the movie which hasn't found its way online yet, there are enough key moments which have to give a lot of it a sense of familiarity. That final Entertainment Weekly cover story was also a mistake; as great as it was to hear more about The Flash's cameo, it would have been so much better had it come as a complete surprise.
Still, this doesn't negatively impact the movie that much, but more surprises were needed.
Did Work: Wonder Woman's Entrance
Batman v Superman has a lot of moments which will make you want to jump from your seat and start cheering, but perhaps none more so than the arrival of Wonder Woman. Set to the superb track "Is She With You?", her sudden appearance in Gotham City to help Batman and Superman battle Doomsday is awesome, as is seeing the Amazonian warrior in action.
Don't get me wrong, she has what ultimately boils down to an extended cameo, but it works really, really well. As a result, I've gone from feeling, "Eh, I guess that will be good," about her solo movie next year straight to it being one of my most anticipated releases of 2017.
Batman v Superman also does a fantastic job of setting up Justice League, and ends with some fantastic teases about what (and who) is to come in that long overdue movie.
Have you seen Batman v Superman yet? If so, what did you like/dislike most about the movie? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.