If there was ever going to be a film that split opinions, it was always going to be the epicly titled Batman vs Superman (BVS). Arguably the most iconic characters from the realm of comic books, these are the heavyweights of the genre. In my red & blue tinted glasses the film could never fail and it didn't.
Of course it was going to be doing things the hard way. Christian Bale's Batman was fresh from saving Gotham, and Man of Steel had that ending. Whereas Marvel have spent years planning and integrating characters so that we are familiar with them, BVS did it with a few clicks, and I think it worked. A few hints of excitement at the various logos for the other metahumans was all I needed. It worked because instead of people sitting there watching two Thor films or two Captain America films, DC have teased them. One question I heard being asked, who was the guy with half a body?! People seem to be intrigued. Outside of Batman and Superman, the remaining members of the Justice League might not be as well known.
Henry Cavill, he was very good in Immortals, and since those first musical blasts from the teaser trailer for Man of Steel I was sold on him being Superman. Man of Steel didn't disappoint, and is a really good film. Henry Cavill is built like Superman, he looks like Superman, he acts like Superman, he is Superman. I hope they green light some more standalone films. Ben Affleck, the surprise announcement as Batman, nailed it. As the older, grumpier Batman, he was great. He seems to have broken from his moral code, and accepts that he is as much of a criminal now as the criminals themselves. Given the training montage, Batman goes old school with pull-ups and tire smashes, a subtle nod to his hard work yet slightly more rough and ready approach. Jesse Eisenberg is an interesting take on Lex Luthor, and he pulls it off. Literally mental, and scheming, we all know he is up to no good. I will blame his youth on going about things in a roundabout way and causing a bit of confusion. All in all he was a good vilian of the piece, and he will be a welcome addition int he coming films. The rest of cast do their jobs well, and there isn't a bad turn amongst them. The only criticism was the senator, Mrs Incredible, that was all I could think of and I struggled to take her seriously because of it. Sorry. Oh, and Lois Lane, of course she is important but he she feels like a loose wheel and just in the way all the time.
Wonder Woman is the other main character of note from the film, and plays an understated but important role. Diana Prince oozes class and sophistication, but in her amazonian gear, I wouldn't be picking a fight with her. The subtle grim on her face when Doomsday knocks her back, is a bit terrifying, and hints at a darker side to her, given she has avoided mankind for a while. Her standalone film will prove very interesting, especially with the teaser picture that Lex had, it echos a bit of Captain America.
Hans Zimmer is a genius, lots of the score is based on Man of Steel, but that is fine with me. What better way to stir the sense and rouse the interest than with some epic music. Fair play for not using a mix of 'Supermans March' for the films, these newer films have their own identity, and their own questions. The score fits them perfectly. Wonder Woman gets her own theme, and it supported her well, a bit bad ass.
Kudos as well for picking one of the strongest foes in the Superman back catalog. Doomsday is to Superman, what the Joker is to Batman (but given the story, maybe Bane). Doomsday is a wrecking ball, and in the comics neigh on unstoppable to all but a few. Using Batman as an example, he possesses nicknames such as "The Caped Crusader" and the "The Great Detective" Doomsday posses a title of sorts, and its a title not many bad guys ever come close to getting. Marvel had six superheros fighting Loki on a scooter, and they also had nine superheroes fighting one robot, and his robot minions. BVS pits only two of them against Doomsday (Batman was hiding under a rock at the time) I am not sure why people are complaining of it being overly complicated and bringing in too many characters. With Doomsday comes the story from the comics and they don't shirk it. But here in lies the problem. Superman. Superman gets a raw deal in this film, and I understand what they were doing, but they missed the target. One part of the film is significant, and those who have seen the Giant Iron might realise what it is, but I still felt more empathy for a metal robot than for Superman.
Because Superman gets a raw deal, the film does have number of "why did they do that?" moments, which is shame, because it was dark and gritty, and it went to a place where Marvel have yet to go. It was refreshingly different. People don't like different, hence the backlash to BVS and Man of Steel.
Overall it was great, even with a few question marks, The Dawn of Justice has risen,and the 'seids' have been sown for what should be a rival the dominance of Marvel.
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