Please watch the Ultimate Edition!

Rating: 9/10 (22 July 2016)

This review contains spoilers! When I first saw the theatrical cut I felt the film was disjointed with several plot holes and insufficient character development. Then I learned that the version shown in theaters was not the entire cut of the film, that a half hour of the film was cut upon release. I decided to buy the Batman v Superman Ultimate Edition on blu ray and was pleasantly surprised. It was like night and day compared to the theatrical release. My opinion of the film changed drastically from being disappointed to loving the film. The ultimate edition makes the film flow so much more cohesively and allows for much more character development. It also fleshes out character motives so much better. For instance the Africa scene makes so much more sense where they were looking to frame superman for the murder and destruction that took place. Also Clark Kent does some reporting on batman and explores through Gotham discovering that batman has been labeled a "judge, jury and executioner" and brands his criminals with a bat symbol which ultimately is a death sentence while in prison. Clark also wrongfully discovers that batman has inmates murder these criminals while in prison. But this is a lie constructed by lex luthor in order to cause Clark/superman to hate batman for his seemingly cruel tactics. This whole aspect was cut out of the theatrical release which is a crime because it takes away from character motives. This also gives Clark Kent more screen time in the film. This edition shows how elaborate and planned out Luthors plan was and adds to his character. Another small part that was removed from the theatrical edition is when batman pays Luthor a visit in prison and says to him that he is having Luthor Transferred to Arkham asylum. There is no reason for cutting this it took maybe 30 seconds for him to say it and it adds more to the DC universe as well as appreciation for fans of the comics. Ben Affleck did a phenomenal job portraying an older angry and damaged batman which is the batman I have always wanted to see. Since this cut is rated R there are more violet scenes with more blood, heavier language and some nudity. Regardless of how great the ultimate edition is, there are still some problems I have with the film such as batmans motive to join superman. Ultimately I believe this film should have been broken up into two films. One called Batman V superman and the other being called Dawn of Justice. This Ultimate edition is really the only edition that should be seen by anyone who is a fan of these characters and the DC universe and it is a crime that it was not released in its entirety. Do yourself a favor and watch the Ultimate edition. I give the Ultimate edition an 8/10 and the theatrical edition a 6/10