People fear what they don't understand + the Ultimate Cut

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2016)

I consider Sucker Punch to be Snyder's only bad film, view the Ultimate Cut of Watchmen as one of the best adaptations of all time and adore the source material, so this film is tailor made for me. Especially due to my love for the utterly daring and highly polarizing Man of Steel. I also understand where some (but not all!) of the mixed reviews are coming from but share few of their opinions. First with the bad: The film has a few rather weird editing choices and some scenes, as the juicy Justice League montage, need to be placed differently. The film is also too short despite being 2,5 hours long. I also expected a longer final battle, a proper introduction to Batman's power suit, a stronger acknowledgment of how much carnage the 2 cities undergo at the end and less cutaways from the constant violence in general. There is also 1 scene of Superman in peril too many towards the end but i won't go into spoilers. Some of these issues should be fixed with the longer/R-rated Director's Cut and i would have preferred more Darkseid teasers. None of these complains took away from my enjoyment and i was BLOWN AWAY by everything else. The film features top of the line directing and the best score Hans Zimmer/Junkie XL ever composed. The well-constructed script explained all the clashing ideologies very well and is downright Nolan-esque, due to the continued involvement of mastermind David Goyer. Every single performance is some of the finest acting the A-level cast put on film. Especially Jesse Eisenberg! His psychotic and utterly unhinged Lex Luthor outshines even Heath Ledger. Gal Gadot is another standout and shows how well cast and though out the whole DCEU truly is. Now to the titular heroes: Ben Affleck matches Christian Bale and Kevin Konroy as being a definitive take on the character but don't expect him to be "likable". His version is a Frank Miller Batman gone too far and the film is a clear redemption arc for the bitter warrior. Some will be turned off by his high body count and his deeply flawed tunnel vision but that is the whole point of the film and especially the ending. Henry Cavill's Superman is again on point and presents a tragic take on John Byrne's and more importantly Dan Jurgens' iconic version. I now repeatedly mentioned the source material but this film is an adaptation first and foremost, unlike the MCU competition. I am also a fan of their highly different films, which constantly veer off the source material, but back on track. The mentioned creators (and many more) are proudly listed in the credits and produced some of the most iconic and bestselling comics of all time. I highly suggest looking them up, after digesting this monumental epic, and the film adapted way more of The Dark Knight Returns than i ever expected. This brings me to the film's one glaring and fascinating "problem". The films should be near incomprehensible to non-comic readers and may be the first 200+ million film that goes out it's way to target an adult and comic literate audience! Young children, family audiences and casual fans are destined to hate this film and i am not even sure if i can call it a "mainstream" movie. The pacing is more comparable to a cerebral thriller and the whole product is a blatant deconstruction of messianic ideals, which will offend many on principle alone. A true Twilight of the Superheroes. The best cinematic comparison i can make is the equally busy and enjoyable The Dark Knight Rises, which managed to forgo this film's troubling reception due to the lack of fantastical elements. I further believe that all 3 of Zack Snyder's current Superhero adaptations got unfair scrutiny because they dared to go beyond preconceived notions of what a big budget comic adaptation should be and hope that a future generations will reassess them and join me in the sun. I can only conclude that i view the film as a complete and utter creative successes, despite a few sharp edges here and there. I also hope that this daring film will lead to more creativity and equal risks down the line, from all competitors on the market. The DCU weight on the right shoulders and it's future is now in the hands of the fans, as never before. The film often asks if there must be a Superman. I say YES and visionaries and as Synder, Terrio and Goyer need to lead them. So vote with your money if you want to see these creators unleash Apokolips on earth, or stay at home. 8,5/10, with the possibility of a 9/10 due to the upcoming Director's Cut.
Update: BvS thankfully proved a success, the Ultimate Cut finally restored the original vision, while converting many, and helped to save Snyder's unethically tarnished reputation. The less dreamlike editing makes the film look bigger, the frequent amount of restored adult content underlines the general tone but small "new" character moments are the most important change. Clark's fleshed out life, who strictly walks the earth like a man, and the explored machinations of Lex should have NEVER been cut. Multiple characterizations, as Wallace, are refocused and explored. A prophetic Gordian Knot discussion, my demanded Fourth World teaser and many more such scenes offer foreshadowing galore. Little detail as Mercy's love smitten smile, Martha's waving to Batman and the continued political commentary MAKE this film, as the devil is in the details. The added sweeping shots though an empty Metropolis and the last few Smallville scenes especially touched me. This is a lived in universe, where humans actually matter (the extras are shockingly good!) and not an empty CGI wasteland. The TC is now demoted by 0,5. Bury it. UC BvS though finally stands as the best US comic film after 2012's animated DKR film. Bring on JLA, Kryton and the rest. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now! 9,5/10ï»¿