Ambitious and Grand but messy entertainment

Rating: 8/10 (26 March 2016)

After years of anticipation, We finally got to see two cultural icons share the screen together. Back when Man of Steel received a mixed response, I ardently defended it since I found it to an amazing action film and an effective re-introduction to Superman. This time Batman v Superman has received a harsh critical mauling but I disagree with them yet again. While this film isn't as amazing as it could have been but its a solid entry for the DC Universe.
It begins with Snyder's Watchmen-esque opening credits that portrays the origin of Batman in a surreality effective manner. It doesn't show what we already don't know but this sequence is beautiful to watch. With the opening title 'Metropolis: The day the world is introduced to Superman' we get to see Bruce's perspective of the battle between Superman and Zod in metropolis. This brilliant sequence itself sells us Bruce's grudge and fear of Superman, to be honest I think this Metropolis sequence is maybe my favorite part of the film. Maybe its one problem that the rest of the film isn't as great as the recreated destruction of Metropolis from Bruce's perspective. After this sequence, the pace of the film during the first half is slow yet absorbing, it speeds up during the second half as it becomes more comic bookish.
One of the flaws of the film is that it tries to pack up too much into it. It feels like a solo Superman film, a solo Batman film, A Batman v Superman film, a Dawn of Justice film and spoilery arc that involves Doomsday. While for the most part it worked effectively as a solo Superman film who is struggling with the question whether the world needs a Superman? A solo Batman film who is aged, tired and beats up criminals like a horror show and the final spoilery Doomsday arc. The Batman v Superman arc feels underdeveloped. While Bats seemed to have a decent reason to fight Supes, the reason Superman fights Bats is flimsy. Their fight is relatively short but pretty cool. I was kinda disappointed with the lack of banter between Supes and Bats, Affleck and Gal Gadot had a better chemistry than them. The Justice League set up part is few and consists of only two or three scenes where one of it is edited in an inappropriate area hence it feels jarring.
I had mixed feelings on Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Lex Luthor, he plays a crazy billionaire whose only motivation is that he hates Superman. Ben Affleck is great as Batman, I would personally wait to see more of to call him the best Batman yet. Henry Cavill is serviceable as Superman. I don't think Batman steals the show as its equally Superman's film and he gets to shine in places. Jeremy Irons does a good job as Alfred. Although with the little screen time she has its safe to say that Gal Gadot is the highlight of the film and maybe the most fun part with respect to the otherwise rather bleak tone of the film.
The action scenes in this film are great with Batman's solo fight in a warehouse and a one take fight in a dream sequence, the title fight and the final one. There is one bat-mobile chase sequence which is maybe the weakest action scene of the film and doesn't touch the chase sequences of the Nolan films. Trinity vs Doomsday is personally one of my favourite fight sequence in a superhero movie.
Worth watching for the pure stylistic visual spectacle it offers with an effective score by Zimmer and Junkie XL. It takes itself quite seriously with an operatic grandeur that makes a good change from your typical fun Marvel movie.