A near perfect superhero film

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2016)

I absolutely loved this movie. Dark, complex, well written, well acted, with incredible special effects. It looked at the real world repercussions of Superman's existence, and balanced that and the conflict between the two title characters perfectly while hinting at the introduction of future DC cinematic universe films.
Marvel do the fun, lighthearted superhero film very well, but I'm glad DC have chosen to go in a much darker direction. There's real pain and real danger on show here, and throughout the final fight between the Trinity and the main villain the viewer is acutely aware that the heroes are outmatched, and may not prevail. The MCU rarely demonstrates that level of tension, except maybe for the excellent The Winter Soldier, and (although TV rather than cinema) the almost as good Daredevil Season 1.
Cavill plays a perfect Superman. The film perfectly portrays his god in mortal form role in the beginning, although his characterization of Clark Kent, and in particular his reasons for focusing on the Bat vigilante of Gotham in the midst of Congressional hearings into Superman's activities, is not well fleshed out.
Affleck's Batman, is, quite simply, a beast. A terrifying, hulking bat-weapon of a man who hands out savage beatings to all comers on a democratic basis. This is combined very well with his portrayal of Bruce Wayne. Older, wiser, and more cynical than the Batman we've seen in the past. More willing to believe the worst of people, and far more willing to go to extremes in the pursuit of his goals. The sheer brutality of his combat techniques may raise a few eyebrows, especially among fans who are used to a Batman who only has "one rule", but it is believable in the context of this older, darker anti-hero.
Given the ending I cannot wait for the next wave of DC films. Their cinematic universe may be newer than Marvel's, but it looks very promising indeed.