A flawed but bittersweet and worthy tribute to Comic Book monuments.

Rating: 7/10 (10 March 2017)

Controversy is Zack Snyder's middle name. He's stayed in his comfort zone for most of his career, but is one of the most visually enticing directors of this generation. Bringing Batman and Superman together on the big screen was no easy task, so backlash was inevitable. Does it deserve the hate?-Not exactly.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is deeper than what the average comic book fan and moviegoer would be lead to believe by the marketing. The question surrounding Superman's relevance is conveyed through a series of scenes ranging from media and news interviews with famous figures like Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Nancy Grace, and Superman saving people from natural disasters. Natural disasters take another form in this film. Jonathan Kent speaks to Clark Kent from the grave about how actions have unintended consequences dating back to his childhood farm life, which humanizes Jonathan and motivates Clark to return as Superman and sacrifice himself in defeating Doomsday. Jonathan's prediction about the world's love and hate dynamic with Clark is brought to the forefront; which makes him one of the most relevant characters in the film despite only being visible for one scene. On the other hand, Martha Kent is morally blind as she tells Clark- "You don't owe this world a thing, you never did." Many criticize Zack Snyder's treatment of women in his films, but for me this is the worst you can give to a character that is Superman's mother, a role model if you will.
Ben Affleck for me is the third best cinematic incarnation of Batman behind Kevin Conroy and Christian Bale. Riffing traces from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and Christian Bale's older and jaded Bruce Wayne from The Dark Knight Rises (among other story elements), he takes it further. He's a nihilistic, prescription pill addicted, nightmare haunted muscle compound detective who leaves behind a trail of guilt free murder in nearly every action set piece. When you also consider he's been fighting crime in Gotham City for 20 years, he gives The Punisher and Daniel Craig's James Bond a run for their money. It's Superman though who brings out the light in him after he nearly becomes a shadow of his parents nameless killer by trying to annihilate Superman with a Kryptonite spear. In not killing Superman, saving Martha, and avoiding the temptation to brand Lex Luthor in prison; he makes himself a more human character.
Lex Luthor has one of the most intricate evil plans in recent history; from obtaining Kryptonite from the Indian Ocean and transporting it on the ship labeled The White Portuguese, using anti-Superman activist Wallace Keefe as a Trojan Horse to frame Superman for bombing the capitol, using General Zod's body to obtain access to a Kryptonian ship and Frankenstein Doomsday into existence to kill his beloved arch-nemesis. On top of all that; he's one of the biggest puppet masters in the DC Cinematic Universe thus far-taking lives of criminals to drive Batman and Superman to quarrel and discovering Steppenwolf, the villain of Justice League coming in November. It's bizarre when his cartoonish quirks/personality and somewhat vague motivations don't match the evil deeds he's accomplished; but bring some self awareness and humor to this grim and monstrous film. Lex loosing his hair at the end in prison may hopefully be a step towards him becoming more scary; or more obnoxious down the road.
As for the ending, Superman death makes sense in the overall context of this first phase of DCCU films. However the iconic Doomsday storyline from the comics is disposed of callously and robs any further suspense for Superman's fate in future installments unless Lois Lane dies.
Is DC rushing their cinematic universe? Not exactly. The idea of a tug of war between Batman and Superman bringing out other metahumans makes complete sense in paving way for more adventures, while not resorting to complete Marvel formula. Could it have been more self contained?- More than likely. My only real issue may seem like a nitpick but Lex Luthor designing logos for Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman is completely BS. The filmmakers of the future DCCU if they prevail must remember to treat their audiences with respect. I also embrace the idea of DCCU flicks using different tones and styles; even if not executed perfectly, will help give contrast to Marvel's fun but formulaic railroad track.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be remembered for many things. Thousands of Fanboy dreams of two titans coming together for the first time on the silver screen, being recognized as either a pile of rubbish that resembles the worst of comic book films like Catwoman, or a daring and misunderstood masterpiece with something to say about it's genre. I lean somewhere closer towards the latter. Only time and the outcome of 2017's DC dropoffs will tell. Until then, I stand in defense of this film as a flawed masterpiece while not quite ranking it in my top 10 Superhero films of all time.
Grade-B+