It's Batman v Superman. Not DC v Marvel

Rating: 8/10 (10 April 2016)

No matter what you think about Zack Sydner, you have to hand it to the guy for having the guts to make a movie about "the greatest gladiator match" ever between two of the most-loved superheroes of all time â€“ Batman and Superman.
What is there to say about this film that hasn't already been said?... Perhaps nothing, except that it is virtually impossible to make a movie that hardened critics, and rabid fanboys and girls will both love. It has been a while since a movie has resulted in such divided opinions from both camps.
All I would like to say is â€“ this isn't a Marvel movie. So please stop treating it like one. This is not to say Marvel movies have not set the bar high â€“ The Avengers was insanely enjoyable. But if you go in expecting funny one-liners and snarky, snide heroes, or mid- or post-credit extras for the matter, you will be disappointed.
I have never been a fan of Zack Sydner's works. I did not like Man of Steel in particular, and I still wonder Henry Cavill is the best guy to fill Superman's boots. But my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to give Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice a shot.
And I enjoyed it. The movie is not perfect. But is it entertaining?
Hell yes.
Certainly, it takes its time putting its cards out. There seems to be too much happening in the first hour â€“ what does an exploding building, a senator, a rock sitting in the Indian Ocean, a crazed young man, a messy desert altercation and a dream have to do with one another in the scheme of things? Yes, the movie puts your attention to the test. But sit through it, give it the benefit of the doubt, trust that the truth will be unravelled, and you will be in for a treat.
It is safe to say that Zack Sydner seems sure of where he wants the movie to go. Once the seemingly disparate pieces have been put out for the audience, the movie gains confidence and begins to pick up the pace.
It was never going to be easy finding a motive for why the two superheroes would want to slug it out. The one given in the movie is fairly plausible â€“ especially when you consider where Batman and Superman are in their lives respectively.
World-weary, haunted, but still suspicious and deliciously brooding, Batman is out to eliminate the threat that he feels Superman poses to the world, be it a measly 1%. Here, Ben Affleck has defied vitriol and hate mail to deliver one of the best Batman performances ever. The man is brooding Batman â€“ all the way down to his Batarangs. The sadness, confusion and tiredness in his eyes speak volumes about the hefty weight of responsibility he must bear. To me, Ben Affleck nailed the role.
No less tortured is Superman. Thankfully, Henry Cavill clearly now has grown into his role (in all senses of the word, too), and has put himself out to be judged in front of a world that is increasingly growing uncomfortable with his presence and prowess. Lonely and uncertain, yet angry at being misunderstood, he is forced by maniacal Lex Luthor to duke it out with Batman... until the two superheroes discover they have more in common than they thought.
It may seem to some that Jesse Eisenberg is miscast as Lex Luthor â€“ what, a young, crazed chap in ill-fitting clothes and incessant jabber, a threat? Yes, Jesse Eisenberg has become known for the familiar way with which he delivers his lines, but he does have the slyness, mean, vicious eyes and insane demeanor of a young mad scientist type who truly believes he is doing the right thing.
Not that the women fare any worse. Israeli beauty Gal Gadot is a breath of fresh air in the dark, serious movie and the perfect eye candy. She doesn't say much, but she is suitably beautiful, mysterious and athletic when the role calls for it.
As Superman's love, Amy Adams fills the movie with her spunkiness, warmth and earthiness. She is one of the two women who form Superman's rock... not his powers.
Many have said that this movie is but an extended, flashy trailer for the upcoming Justice League movies. Perhaps. But whether the upcoming Justice League movie will be crushed by the burden of expectations remains to be seen.