People fear what they don't understand

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2016)

Following the events of 'Man of Steel', Superman has announced himself to the world, which has caused a divide in humanity: some see him as a saviour, whilst others see him as the ultimate threat to earth. Siding with those who see Superman as a threat, Gotham City-based vigilante Batman travels to Metropolis to combat Superman. However, a much graver threat looks to endanger humanity.
After many years of development, excitement, anticipation and scepticism, two of the biggest characters in all of fiction, come face to face together for the first time in a live-action movie. There's not just the pressure of the two icons first live-action met though, but also the pressure of establishing the 'DC extended universe', a new cinematic universe featuring DC comics' line up of characters, set to the rival the successful 'Marvel Cinematic Universe'. I'm pleased to say that it is successful on both fronts.
Despite all that needed to be achieved in the film with all the threads that it has: setting up new characters, character arcs, back story, plot and just overall world-building, the film is fairly well balanced and structured, with good character development, interesting and emotional themes and moves at a breezy pace, even though the runtime is 2 and a half hours, thanks to writer Chris Terrio's solid script. The dark tone continues from 'Man of Steel', but the film does have humour in it with great witty one-liners and comments, some of the best coming from Jeremy Irons' Alfred. The humour isn't over the top though and there's just the right amount there. The mature tone gives the film tension and weight, allowing you to invest in the characters and the situation.
Of the many scepticism of the film, casting has probably been the main one, in particular the choice of Ben Affleck for Bruce Wayne/Batman. Affleck however has been cast well in the role, bringing grit and gravitas. His interpretation is one that has not been seen on screen before. Affleck's Wayne is like a war veteran, who has been fighting for 20 years and has lost so much along the way and it has taken its total on him. He is more ruthless and hardened, losing his way and boarding on a villain at times. A lot is implied and a solo Batman film with Affleck will be something interesting to watch in the future.
Much anxiety surrounded the casting of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman as well, but again, they have chosen right. When she appears on screen, particularly when she is in action, you really believe she is Wonder Woman. She is a supporting player in this, so we don't see her as much as the title characters, but she has enough of a presence to be established and spark interest for her upcoming solo film out next year.
The third and final piece of controversial casting came in the form of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Here Eisenberg gives a performance of the character, like with Affleck's Batman, that we have not seen on screen before. This didn't work for me, all i saw was an OCD version of Jessie Eisenberg and i understand that he is playing lex luthor Jr not Sr but i would've much preferred the lex luthor we all know and mostly love, just imagine watching Bryan Cranston sharing scenes with Ben Affleck and Henry Cavil. Jessie Eisenberg is a good actor but he wasn't right for the role.
Henry Cavill gives another great performance as Clark Kent/Superman. He once again portrays a more complicated and humanised Superman, one that's more interesting to watch than previous film versions and much more in line with the comics. His arc ties in nicely with Batman's, as they both experience something of an existential crisis.
There's not as much action as you might think with a film like this, which is not a criticism, but an observation. When there is action though, it's really exciting too watch and every scene is well choreographed, with some ambitious set pieces. It never feels like an attack on the senses, like a lot of its contemporaries and it feeds into the character arcs and the story, like all great action should.
Hans Zimmer returns to provide the music for the film, with the addition of Junkie XL, fresh off last years successful 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. It does what all great music should in a film, heightening the experience and often making the hairs raise on the back of the neck. However, it is great and at times epic, but it does not reach the heights of previous work, in particular, Hans Zimmer's.
The pressure was on, but Snyder and his team have delivered a film that we not only deserve, but one we need right now. It's dark, emotional, witty, ambitious, epic and the dawn of an exciting new franchise.