Good to see again--friction between helpfulness and helplessness

Rating: 10/10 (27 March 2016)

Well, after seeing some of the reviews I felt a certain trepidation at going to see this movie, though enjoying Snyders previous works. I went with a friend and we both loved it. The question for both of us is—will we be seeing this movie again? And the answer is a resounding yes. Speaking for myself, I have lost track of the number of times I have seen the hero films that really move me—John Carter, Battleship, Raimi's Spiderman trilogy, Captain America's The Winter Soldier, Indiana Jones, Star Trek, Thor, Avengers Age Of Ultron, 300 and Man Of Steel. I love Man Of Steel with every viewing and I think Batman v Superman is great too.
The actors were all great. I have liked Henry Cavill since the Count Of Monte Cristo and The Immortals, and find his Superman / Clark Kent the best yet, much closer in essence to the wily and smart Superman of the comics from the 1950's and 60's, and the animated shows from the 90's. And it's refreshing to see his portrayal of Clark Kent as a confident journalist trying to integrate integrity into his work. Ben Affleck was equally good as Batman, again a little closer to the sharp Holmes-like detective of earlier comics. It was a nice touch to see him gritting his teeth in the heavy armor. I always wondered why Iron Man wasn't completely punch drunk. Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Fishburne, Irons, Lane, Costner, Gadot and the other supporting cast were all excellent. Lane did well, as it is not always easy to draw out sympathy from an audience through tears and screams. Eisenberg's characterization of Lex Luthor, in which he interleaves restrained petulance, envy, anger and murderous manipulation, was the first that didn't make me reach for the fast forward on the remote, not that I could have in the cinema.
I cannot agree with other reviewers who feel that there are too many plot points in the film, with a little concentration it was not too difficult to keep up. In fact I think it made the film a great psychological ride, and it is Luthor, hidden in the background, who is continually fueling and stoking the fire of hate. Alfred knows who the real enemy is but bats are blind. As other reviewers have pointed out, much of the film exhibits the friction of power and powerlessness, helpfulness and helplessness. For all of his power, Superman is compelled to fight Batman knowing that to refuse would result in the immediate death of his mother, Martha Kent, and that to save her he must turn for help to the one he has already warned off and is about to face in battle, Batman. Batman, as a child, witnesses helplessly the violent death of his mother at the hands of street power. And having conquered Superman with the help of poisonous kryptonite, Batman finally hears in that moment Superman's weak cry of help, for Martha, and comes suddenly to the realization that in saving Clark Kent's mother, he may redeem himself for not having had the strength to save his own mother, Martha Wayne.
Perhaps the film is dark, I do not know. What with Batman, Kryptonite, the GM creature Doomsday, and self-doubts about whether the world even wants him, Superman undoubtedly takes a mean beating in this film. And yet in spite of it all, I was so inspired by his love for Lois Lane, and his uncompromising principle of self-sacrifice for the world, even after being fired upon by all around him.