Better than expected - don't believe all the critics

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2016)

This film has been unnecessarily panned, and is actually rather good - in parts. The dark, moody setting is atmospheric and otherworldly, and Ben Affleck's portrayal of Batman as a world weary warrior with PTSD is particularly good. I really think he should have been given more credit for his interpretation of the role, and it is easy to see how this is a development of the Christopher Nolan version, as the older Bat who has become scarred and sickened by the world he lives in. There are some good set pieces, and at times the film replicates a dark thriller rather than a fantasy adventure. There has been some criticism that there is a lack of humour, but I really don't think that matters as sometimes injected humour is just cheesy. On the negative side, apart from the BvS, the storyline is a bit scattergun. It feels as though it doesn't know what direction to take, is it a love story, a revenge thriller, an action film, a gods v monsters? As there are so many strands, the film lacks the depth that could have made it great, there are too many distractions and a thin main plot. The Wonder Woman character was good, but I wondered (haha) why she needed to be in it, other than as an advert for her forthcoming solo outing. Also, Lois Lane had little to do other than cast loving looks at Superman which is a shame as she is supposed to be a feisty character, and another blow against women in these films. I'd really rather they didn't bother creating a female role if all she does is look doe eyed and require saving most of the time. The inclusion of a LotR Uruk Hai as the boss enemy was lazy, even it's 'birth' was derivative, and Jesse Eiseberg's Lex Luther was just irritating and overdone to the point where he lacked menace.
Overall, a good film, if rather too long, which has been criticized undeservedly.