[SPOILER-FREE] Batman v Superman REVIEW

Regardless of how good or bad a comic book movie is, I usually have my own thoughts about what could've been done better or maybe differently. But just like everyone else, it will always be AN opinion. Batman v Superman, just like all the other ones from the genre, is not a literal translation of comic book characters to the big screen. It's "Art" and everyone will have their own 2ç to add when talking about it.

 

My 2çs are:

 

A) Do not compare it to a Marvel property!

DC movies are their own thing. Late bloomers in Hollywood, but not campy or light hearted like Marvel. Man of Steel may have flaws, but I felt it was a step in the right direction. And this is coming from someone who has grown being surrounded by more Marvel > DC and has enjoyed a majority of the marvel movies! I feel Marvel doesn't stress enough on real world implications and tries to focus almost everything on 'fun'. DC does it but with in a less 'colorful' and more serious way. I like both.

B] Keep an open mind!

I have to admit that I'm more Batman > Superman, any given day. Having said that, I loved this movie and left the cinema wanting more of Superman. This movie was meant to be a sequel to Man of Steel and feels just as much every time Henry Cavil is 'Superman'. Although not entirely necessary, The "Justice League" seeds are also enough to wet a fans appetite and maybe even to a regular movie goer. BUT...This movie is made for the fans (fortunately or unfortunately) and is a literal comic book jump to the screen (Which IMO, I very much appreciated). Every movie has its flaws and so does this, being that it's made FOR THE FANS. An average movie goer may have a hard time watching it and may complain about "incoherent structure" but anyone watching this movie needs to realize that this is not a cartoon, not a 3D animated Pixar joy-ride but a full fledged live-action comic book movie. It's not meant to "feel" like Shakespearean literature come to life. I felt like Zack Snyder may have taken a few liberties but probably made a mistake by assuming that people are smart enough to make certain connections themselves. Having said that, there is still is no excuse for critics calling it a horrible movie. Zack Snyder and his team have done a wonderful job at trying to make fictional characters come off as believable in the real world. The 'Superman' or 'Batman' people may have grown up reading in comics, would've had a hard time surviving in this world had they existed. This interpretation of their characters, for better or worse,are mature and are more or less exactly how I imagined them to look and behave like whenever I did so as a kid, 2 decades ago.

This Batman is a brutal, seasoned veteran with a touch of sadistic and a life-time of exhaustive experiences with unending troubles still creeping up day by day (Excellently played by Ben Affleck). Early in the movie Bruce Wayne is heard telling Alfred (played well by Jeremy Irons), "We're criminals, Alfred". He's very much aware of how the world views him and his brand of Justice but he doesn't care because he does what he believes is the right thing, albeit in a very strict and absolute way. This Alfred is a radically altered 'hard-boiled' characterization but is every bit the same Alfred people have read or seen in previous iterations. One needs to remember that this movie is Batmans stepping stone into the new DC universe and that certain moments may feel rushed but that's also why he'll [hopefully] be getting his own movie. Just enough to want more. Just enough to see him be introduced and kick ass!

The same can be said for Superman who is having a hard time trying to just BE, after the events of Man of Steel. He's watching himself and is slowly turning into the character most fans have grown up with. Still a little wet behind the ears but his comic book character elements are very much there. He's still trying to understand his own value and is having a hard time with it because of ideas that characters like Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne/Batman summarize quite well. Henry Cavill could've done with more screen time, but does well with how much ever is given to him. I already liked him for making his 'Superman' more like his physical comic book counter part. I like his character even more now, especially when thinking back to his scenes from Man of Steel.

Jesse Eisenbergs fresh take on Lex Luthor is refreshing and definitely more chaotic (? psychotic) than his comic book counterpart. I liked how he's more brains than brawn but significantly so. I even felt like his reasons for being against Superman are sorta justified but the nefarious nature of his plans are what make him the villain. 

Gal Gadots 'Wonder-Woman', I DEF liked. I wasn't phased as much as the other public was when Gal Gadot was cast. "Different take, different characterization" was my initial thought. She's AWESOME in the role and was satisfied with the little time she had on the screen. If Snyders aim was to leave anyone wanting for more, then that's exactly what you'll get and like me and almost everyone else, will be waiting for her solo debut next year.

 

If it were my way, the movie could've spent a little more time on the actual Gladiator match and (maybe) a little less on Lois Lane.

Sound & music is bang on & as expected from a mix of Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL.

The action left me wanting MORE. 

The story & execution  is just as much as you' want from a  comic book . Not so confusing that one forgets what's going on & not so simple to just exist for the sake of it. 

All in all...

 

Go watch it. On IMAX 3D. It's SUPERB and to me is along the same lines of The Dark knight!

 

The critics may need to be fed with a silver spoon but Zack Snyder has delivered exactly what DC/WB said they had planned on doing all along and he's done it in a very stylish, thought-provoking manner. For what it's worth, I would've gladly sat for another 30mims because I was having a good time watching something that made me feel like these characters were REAL and had actual seriousness to their personal views.