Too Many Sub-plots, Not Enough Batman v Superman

Rating: 7/10 (25 March 2016)

For a movie that is seemingly about a face-off between two of the most iconic heroes in comic book history, it's surprising how little they actually interact. Their "fight" is delegated to passive aggressive arguments between Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth, and the occasional scowl at a television screen every time Batman does something illegal. Part of me wishes that there had been more between Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, because the scene at the Luthor party was pretty incredible. Once the first half of the movie has sufficiently built up the conflict, the final act of the movie is a non-stop science fiction battle sequence. Honestly, it feels like two separate movies : a political drama and a superhero movie. Both "films" are good, but I do not think they work as a single cohesive piece. Wonky editing that is increasingly a trade-mark in Zack Snyder films makes the first half appear sloppy and awkward, while the second half is regulated to green-screen, over saturated fighting.
I will that Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot are amazing as Batman and Wonder Woman, and Henry Cavill's Superman continues to mature into the classic hero that we all know him to be. Affleck manages to bring a new light to the character of Bruce Wayne, a difficult feat considering how many times Batman has been rewritten for audiences. And Affleck looks incredible - I want to shake the hand of the costume designer for this film. Affleck, Cavill and Gadot all bring these iconic heroes to life in a visual spectacle that will delight comic book fans everywhere. Henry Cavill's Superman was fine, nothing special, but I believe that to be because just how poor the writing is in so many of Superman's key scenes. Some of the the lines are just atrocious. And when you couple it with Jesse Eisenberg's maniacal, unhinged Lex Luthor, it's an uncomfortable mix of superheroes that writers cannot seem to do justice. No pun intended. Luthor is classically a suave genius. Superman, a complex man striving to do good in a world in which he does not belong. But they are both written into crude stereotypes that detract from the complexity of the story they are attempting and create odd moments of conflict. Eisenberg's villain worked in this film; he was certainly evil. But he was not Alexander Luthor.
Batman v Superman is far from a perfect film. There is a lot going on, and I think that's where the film falls short. The dream sequences are clunky and strange, and leave the audience confused rather than excited for future films. And the Justice League cameos felt thrown in there last minute to satisfy a studio executive. A email from Bruce Wayne to Diana Price? Containing files about future Justice League members? And with their respective symbols conveniently marking each file? That has to be the laziest film set-up that I have ever seen.
The heart of this movie lies in the relationships between characters. Clark and Lois ground this film, and I only wish that we were given more of them being a normal, domestic couple. Clark's devotion to Lois, and her intense protection of him give the film needed bittersweet moments that make Superman's fatal sacrifice at the end all the more poignant. In the heat of the moment, Superman's death felt stale and cheap to me. But looking back on it, it creates an engaging conflict for the character, and it certainly is a ballsy choice.
This is a solid movie. The criticisms with pacing and confusing plots are certainly warranted, but I think the good far outweighs the bad. For this one, the critics are wrong. The acting is good, the characters are engaging, and there is lot of potential for a fantastically complex cinematic universe.