Big, Dramatic, and Action Packed, Batman v. Superman is Unapologetically Off-the-Wall

Rating: 8/10 (8 April 2016)

Superman and Batman are my two favorite superheroes. I've always had a special affinity for their characters and an interest in their respective universes. As such, I awaited their first theatrical team-up like a kid on Christmas Eve. And like presents under the tree, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is a colorful and exciting assortment, showcasing DC's most popular heroes in a big, bombastic romp that pinballs from character to character and plot line to plot line with reckless abandon. This movie is not a world-class lesson in narrative. However, as a fan of these characters, I was hooked the whole way through.
It is understandable why the critics haven't been very kind to this film. It doesn't play by the rules. None of the characters are given enough time to be developed, there isn't a focused threat, and the story doesn't follow a linear path at all. Instead Batman v. Superman jumps from dramatic story lines to huge action scenes to personal character moments and writers David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio weave them all together with the grace of a bulldozer. When looking at it through a critic's lens, the movie doesn't hold up, but those with even a faint interest in the DC universe will not care in the slightest about the narrative clumsiness. I was consistently excited about the next big revelation or the next crazy action scene waiting just around the corner. The main thread of the story, if there is one, centers around Batman and Lex Luthor's respective quests to stop Superman, who has become a polarizing figure around the world, from turning on humanity. Of course there are plenty of side stories featuring Amy Adam's Lois Lane in a globe- trotting mystery, Holly Hunter as a Kentucky senator leading the trial against Superman, and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman as she pieces together the origins of the Justice League.
The two titular characters may be controversial to some hardcore fans; This Batman is extremely brutal, and he even "indirectly" kills with regularity. Superman doesn't fare much differently. He's a much more brooding character than some are used to, and the film plays up his God-like status a lot. While these aren't my ideal versions of the characters, I did enjoy seeing a slightly different take on them. Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill do just fine in their roles, even though neither has enough screen time to truly develop. Affleck nails the tired, broken down Bruce Wayne, and Cavill is surprisingly effective in the few introspective moments he has. I can say definitively, both Batman and Superman pass this fan's eye test.
Where this movie really shines however, is in the action and visuals. I was actually somewhat surprised that this film looked so good. I was not a fan of the cinematography in Man of Steel; with the extreme close-ups, shaky cam, and washed out color, it looked like a bad TV commercial. Visually, Zack Snyder and company take a giant leap forward in this sequel. Snyder's signature comic book style comes out in full force. The action scenes are beautifully shot, playing out like a series of full page splashes in motion. The titular battle in particular is absolutely jaw-dropping and worth the price of admission alone. In fact, the entire film is an audio visual feast, especially for comic book fans. The style Snyder infuses into every single frame makes it the most visually astounding comic book movie since Spider-Man 2. It's the type of epic, dynamic, at times stunning sensory experience that has made Zack Snyder a household name among blockbuster filmmakers. The rich, engaging visual flair also helps to differentiate the film from the bland, TV show look of Marvel's movies.
In the end, Batman v. Superman is an absolute behemoth of a film. It throws the kitchen sink into everything for better or worse. On the one hand, the story is jam-packed with all kinds of subplots and secondary characters, to the point where the casual viewer may very well be completely lost by the end. On the other hand, the movie is dripping with style and action. I thoroughly enjoyed this beast of a film, and even though I still don't know how I feel about it's controversial ending, I have to recommend it. If you are a fan of DC's two most popular superheroes, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot.
82/100