Flawed Film But Wildly Entertaining

Rating: 7/10 (3 April 2016)

First, I think this film was made far too early. A second Superman film should have been made focusing on the increasing apprehension and government scrutiny directed at him in the wake of the destruction caused by his battle with Zod. A first Batman film should have been made prior to this film, as well, and there's no reason that Batman's awareness of the danger and destruction presented by Superman couldn't have more slowly built up to this battle. Doomsday and the Death of Superman storyline should have been reserved for a Justice League film. There was simply too much packed into this movie too soon, and it left me wanting a solo Batman film WAY more than a Justice League film.
All of the actors were great except for the Social Network kid, who apparently thought he was playing the Joker instead of Luthor.
The venom directed at this film by fan boys who feel the DC movie universe is too dark is, in my opinion, off base. These films have to be engaging films, not simply lockstep reproductions of the comic books. Marvel has done a very good job of making very fun movies that reflect the colorfulness and tone of many of their comic books. If that's what I want (and I do), I can watch the Marvel films. It is entirely valid for DC to take a completely different approach and create a very dark alternate take that expands what these characters can be.
I loved Man of Steel and thought it was the most HUGE film I had ever seen. It was bigger than life. I personally like the seriousness and almost mythological/religious tone of Dawn of Justice. Why should DC be obligated to do the same thing Marvel does?
I just wish DC would slow down. They took some MAJOR stories from the comics that could have easily represented complete films by themselves, and really shortchanged them by hacking them down to plot points. Batman was ready to actually KILL Superman! That's a giant deal! Then 20 minutes later Superman gets killed anyway by someone else? Too much. WAY too much.
Have some patience, DC.