A jaw dropping masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (24 March 2016)

Zack Snyder has delivered his best film yet, and arguably, one of the greatest comic book movies of the last decade, making for an astounding accomplishment in filmmaking. I left the theatre trembling and overwhelmed. I literally was at a loss for words.
This is not your typical popcorn flick. It completely alleviates from the "status quo" of modern superhero cinema. It's long, dense, violent, thematic and is certainly is not a "feel good" movie, nor is it a children's one. I do believe, that as brainless as this movie might be at times, it will stand the test of time as a real intellectual game changer. This is where I believe the critics to be dead wrong. Instead of embracing this movie and what it's trying to accomplish, they have pitted it against their apparent "golden standard." Just like Snyder's Watchmen, this movie is ahead of its time, and a lot of people will refuse to understand it.
Ben Affleck has delivered the quintessential Bruce Wayne/Batman. From here on out, there is no turning back..he IS the Batman. Jesse Eisenberg is menacing, crazy, and pure evil. His performance will send shivers down your spine. Henry Cavill shines brighter here than in Man of Steel, albeit still delivering some lines rather wooden. Amy Adams's Lois Lane is given more to work with in this film, allowing us to cozy up to her character. Jeremy Irons plays a great Alfred. He's witty, smart, and plays more of a hands on role than what we've seen before. Gal Gadot has a minor role, but she has unmistakably left a great impression. I can't wait to see more of her.
Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL have composed a phenomenal score. Listening to the soundtrack without the film may leave you feeling underwhelmed. But paired with the film it's breathtaking. I rarely fall so in love with movie scores. It's more thematic than bombast.
As expected, the action is over the top and incredible. The fight scenes are epic and brutal. The film has finally done justice to Batman's fighting style. The special effects are mind blowing. The visuals in this movie are unlike anything we have ever seen before. Whether or not you like Snyder, there is no denying he is a visual genius. It's as if they are coming right off a comic book page. On that topic, I really have to give props to Zack Snyder. He has evolved tremendously as a filmmaker. His direction has greatly improved. I personally always felt as if he had a hard time getting those great performances from his cast, but he has really gotten some great performances here.
More good news: Compared to Man of Steel, there are not nearly as many cringe-worthy moments in both dialogue and story. Chris Terrio and David Goyer have crafted both a great script and story that will leave your brain wired leaving the theatre.
Some bad news: Unfortunately, I believe WB marketed this movie to make it look like something that its not, which may also have something to do with the negative reviews. Heck, even calling it Batman v Superman I think was a bad idea. This movie is so much more while also being so much less than that, and ultimately I believe this will only hurt the film. This is not a family film, nor is it a children's one, nor is it a Batman fighting Superman film. The kids in my theatre were having a hard time sitting still, their parents were telling them to shut up more than anything. it is not 100 minutes of light-hearted comedy and soft-core family oriented action. It's a long, epic, and violent drama. Also, there are some liberties that were taken with Batman's character, that some people may not be cool with.
Anyways, huge props to WB and Snyder for pulling this off. It's such a unique movie that I think puts the DC universe in an interesting spot. It's risky, grand, operatic, and plays out more like a political thriller than an Avengers movie. It's a crowd pleaser all while not being one at the same time. Go see the movie and judge it for yourself. Just don't let the old guys who loved The Artist tell you how to watch this movie. Bring on a Snyder helmed Justice League, can't wait!