DC's first proper wave splashes down with a dark and broody feel

Rating: 8/10 (5 April 2016)

This film is one of the hyped films of the year, in the months leading up to its release you simply couldn't escape marketing for it. In the comic to film world this represents DC's big attempt at copying the success that the Marvel studios have had with its cinematic universe and cross story character arcs. Mix DC's two best-selling hero's with modern cinematic techniques, a big budget, a strong story and plenty of CGI and the promise of other supers from the DC world and you have Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice.
This is a long film at almost 2 and a half hours. It introduces Ben Affleck as an older, grumpier Batman than audiences are used to and reintroduces Henry Cavill as the last son of Krypton/ Man of Steel, Superman. The film has a lot of dark tones to it much like DC comics like to show off. This is just one of the differences between Marvel and DC, Marvel tend to do fun and colourful stories and DC like to do darker more serious stories. This film fitted into that darker mould nicely and with a lot of attitude to boot. Although I am not a fan of Affleck he did a good turn as the aging, grumpy dark knight and I was pleasantly surprised. Action shots showed him fighting like Batman and investigative detective work showed him thinking like Batman. Henry Cavill playing Superman came across a lot more pleasant than the typical Superman that I am used to from comics, and in truth despise for being self righteous and too 'all American'. Cavill's Superman in the film was also better than his appearance in the previous 'Man of Steel' film. The rest of the cast were on par with the main stars of the film which is credit to Zack Snyder's directing and casting. He likes to use good quality actors so that even the less important players come across as authentic. For me the weakest players in the cast were Amy Adams (Lois Lane) and Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor). Both gave good performances which stood up well but for me their faces just didn't fit to my expectations, more so Adams. In the same breath as saying that I have to admit that Eisenberg's approach portrayed Luther as a pure evil madman genius which was brilliant but alas, for me, his face didn't fit my expectations - which is probably my problem rather than a detractor for the film. Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman was extremely refreshing, instead of making the character camp and colourful the film actually delivers her as a genuine threat to bad guys and wrong doers. The Wonder Woman appearance was an absolute delight and proved the critics wrong, despite not being muscle bound Gadot proves that femine power and beauty can still kick ass. Kudos to Jeremy Irons as Alfred too, while I wasn't looking forward to Affleck playing the Batman I was equally doubtful about Irons standing in as Alfred, both actually worked out well.
The story takes place after the first Henry Cavill Superman film - 'Man of Steel', the opening sequences show what affects the Superman Vs General Zod fight have on Metropolis. This is slightly eerie and looked very much like the aftermath of the genuine terrorist attack on the twin towers in 2001. At the time of the fight between Kal-el and Zod the millionaire playboy tycoon Bruce Wayne happens to be visiting and not only loses a building but also employees and friends in the aftermath of the fight. It's this that inspires him to question Superman's ability and angle of justice. Flash forward a few months and Lex Luther manages to pull the strings to manipulate and orchestrate a Superman and Batman fight. Along the way we learn a lot of things about the DC universe, including the existence of other Meta-human's such as the aforementioned Wonder Woman, also the Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman. The film sets these characters up for their own films which are due to hit our screens in the future and it also paves the way for the impending Justice League film which will be with us soon. Don't worry, there are recognisable bad guys too, we've already met Lex Luther and the now deceased General Zod but you'll get to see a version of one of Superman's greatest foes in Doomsday. There is plenty in this film to both annoy and titillate fan boys and geeky girls but for the most part if you are a fan of the DC Universe then you'll probably love this film.
I won't spoil the film too much more. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this but I really did and I was surprised that I did enjoy it as much as I did. It did feel like the film could have been compressed more and made better but I understand why it wasn't, this is DC's big screen epic and it wanted to make a massive statement, which it kind of does. There were a few poor moments in the film such as Batman suddenly becoming friends with Superman because their mothers have the same name. Likewise the drawn out demonstrations against Superman's brand of justice which had predictable outcomes and ultimately didn't go anywhere. Also the day dream that Batman had about a potential future where Superman is the law and he rips Batman's heart our of his chest (much like he does to the Joker in 'Injustice Year One') before Batman has a vision of Cyborg trying to pass a message through time. These small things don't ultimately detract from the overall enjoyment. I want to award this 7 and a half out of 10 as it was fun yet dark and broody film, as I can't award half stars I'll settle for 8 out of 10, Zack Snyder has delivered a great first wave of the DC world.