Dark and Light a Beautiful Lie – The film we Deserved and Needed

Rating: 9/10 (15 May 2016)

I have no loyalty to anything other than to a high standard, and what I want out of a film, I have seen everything from DC and Marvel starting with Batman in 1989. I saw this film twice just to take it all in and even to scrutinize further, to be as critical as I could about it. I had gone in with all the bad reviews looming over the experience, much like I did recently with Marvel's Civil War and all of its praise. I am probably one of the few who prefers this film to the Marvel critical success.
The beginning sets the theme and tone for the whole film through a familiar, but different opening dream sequence we revisit Bruce Wayne's childhood trauma, when the ideas of dark and light are first presented. This narrative carries us through the events to follow surrounding the aftermath of General Zod's attack, and the battle to stop him. This gives us everyone's perspective from Batman, Superman, Luthor, Lois, all the way to U.S. Senators and the public. Where everyone sits, their frame of mind and how they arrived at that point are all established by the time the conflict begins. It builds organically, naturally and was never boring, but enthralling.
Every angle is meticulous and masterfully shot to immerse you in this world, propel the story and action while being perfectly in sync with the memorable bombastic soundtrack which only adds to the mood, and intensity of the drama. It's done in Zack Snyder style where it is visually just as important in telling the story as any other aspect, much like the very comics from which these characters are adapted. It's very cohesive and as long as you are paying attention you will never get lost whether it be in dreams, or the creation of the "abomination" doomsday creature, it's called depth and I'm glad if it at all challenges the standards of critics and general audiences (they definitely need more of That).
Lex Luthor portrayed as a eccentric genius manipulator who's also human and tortured is as equally worthy of praise as Affleck's brooding physically fluid Batman, or Gal Gadot's alluring, briefly teasing but undeniably strong Diana/Wonder Woman. You can see the conflict and burden within Cavill's Superman as he carries the weight of his and Zod's actions upon his back, reasonably willing to answer for what he's done. I enjoy the specific, likely intentional, fact that Eisenberg's Luthor is written in such contrast to his usual portrayal, it also makes him the visual physical antithesis of his nemesis who is all muscle. He is able to carefully align everything in his favor and take advantage of the overall situation, and the two heroes emotions with his mental prowess. This to me only adds to the whole dynamic of the ongoing dark vs light, good vs evil, human vs alien, Bat of Gotham vs Son of Krypton narrative throughout that echoes in the public's outcry.
What Batman and Superman come to realize beyond the fact that their Mother's shared the name Martha is that they are two sides of the same coin, one is the boy scout in a flashy suit appealing to the public operating in the sunlight, while the other is more visceral operating at night in the shadows in a dark suit. However, they want the same thing, their perspectives are in fact not irreconcilable and this ends the conflict. Logically as soon as everyone's aware of the manipulation, they are on the same page and they can then concentrate their effort where it is necessary aligning themselves together. This is not so obvious to someone like Tony Stark or the Avengers in a very similar situation in Civil War.
This is sensationalized reality in epic comic book style at its best, rewarding the deeper analytical viewer and those who appreciate a darker more symbolic and psychological approach which scratches at the surface, emphasizing questioning ourselves, our beliefs, our perspective, our humanity, and our reality with great analogical religious parallels. While Civil War feeds us another easily digestible dose of colorful, one-liners, and fun packaged in what we've all come to expect from Marvel films, which is good. Batman V Superman challenges established norms, and further invites us to delve into humanities dark psyche, all while being visually more arresting, which is better. Seeing these character's, the conflicts and the narrative all brought to life is nothing short of immersing and fun up to and after the main 'event'. Personally I will always prefer and find art more relevant when it challenges established thinking, aesthetics and power structures, versus those that mirror or reinforce them. I look forward to DC's and Snyder's future efforts.