Amazing Directing, not your average joyful superhero movie

Rating: 9/10 (3 April 2016)

There have been so many superhero movies in the last 15 years and some sort of a template for superhero movie titles was developed: Fun, Personal Drama, Villain who is pure evil for the sake of being evil, light hearted action with funny moments and the eventual conclusion of villain being put down by.. being punched?
Spiderman, Ironman, Avengers titles have all followed that formula successfully and we enjoyed them vastly. Because they were fun and enjoyable. And there is nothing wrong with that formula! It suit those titles and we love them as they are.
However, Batman v Superman was bashed by the expectations those movies set for superhero movies. People expected the joy, fun and enjoyment with a plot that is planned to make them smile and get excited. This movie was not that. It was NOT fun, it was not light hearted action. It was dark, very dark and brooding. Just like Batman animated movie of 'Dark Knight Returns' where Batman faces Superman in an all out battle. This movie was very clearly based on that story arc where old Bruce Wayne was grimmer and darker than ever with nothing left in his life but past regrets. Batman's costume, Ben Affleck's age, the post apocalyptic Batman Dream where he guns people down in a much more practical outfit with followers of his own, the fight design vs Superman.. all those were taken from those story arcs of old brooding Bruce Wayne with no joy, but lots of regrets and bitterness. Also probably some of those who are more interested in DC universe noticed the similarities with Ben Affleck's Batman and Flashpoint Paradox Batman of Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father) whom became Batman after Bruce being killed at that alley at the age of 8. Similar darkness and bitterness was visible in Afflecks Wayne persona, not to mention being the first Batman who does not bother to shave.
This movie was never intended to be a lighthearted fun. It fulfilled what it intended: presenting that dark and serious struggle of heroes, their personal demons and the weakness they feel at the moment of helplessness. Same emotions were the driving force of the villain Lex Luthor, a being almost godlike being making him question his own significance and the desire of taking him down to prove his significance. Batman and Luthor threaded on the same line full of anger towards Superman, not the man himself but the idea he presents: 'That humans were helpless and insignificant against such a being'.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters animated movie also received the similar negative reception due to its dark, joyless nature where each character was fighting their own demons more than any enemy, and the ruthless murders audience did not desire to see or acknowledge as a part of the story and the characters' backgrounds.
What we as the audience need to understand and accept is that; there is no single way of making superhero movies. As much as fun they are, not all superhero movies need to be lighthearted Marvel actions. They can be serious and dark. They can be lack of joy. I understand people did not want to watch those superheroes fight against their own demons. They wanted them to fight a villain and punch it into its place after a enjoyable plot. But when the audience pushes wrong expectations on a movie, it is unavoidable for them to be disappointed.
The movie theater I went was full of little children, almost half of whom left the movie an hour into the movie; another cried loudly when Bruce had the nightmare about Martha's grave. They were cheerful before movie started, but when it was over they were disappointed and unsettled, because they thought it was going to be another Avengers movie. I believe the people who are disappointed with the movie are in the same boat with those kids. They came expecting something totally different, and it was inevitable for them not to be disappointed.
Because let us be honest here. Zack Snyder really presented amazing director skills, scenes were all beautifully crafted with Hans Zimmer's amazing and perfectly fitting soundtrack. People complain about seeing the drama of Thomas and Martha Wayne dying again saying we all already know that, but no one mentions that this was the best cinematic presentation of that story that has been done so far.
I am quite convinced people hate the movie because they expected it not to be itself, they wanted it to become and morph into a DC Avengers. But Synder held his ground and made the movie as it would fit it; and I enjoyed it a lot. Watchmen was an amazing movie, and I had great expectations from Synder for BvS and he completely fulfilled them.