Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

<<<Return to  to Z list

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

There was a time in the movie world, where if a movie came out that featured both Batman and Superman, most people would laugh at the idea of it. Then probably follow that with a statement like “You couldn’t possibly fit both those superheroes into one movie. There would be just too much going on” And maybe such a statement would be right if handled less effectively, and maybe you would have laughed at the idea of the comic book worlds two biggest heroes together in the past.

But in today’s movie world, Superhero movies are more than just big blockbusters; they’ve become their own genre pretty much, and mean more to viewers in this day and age than just guys in capes and masks. This has been achieved thanks largely to the success of Marvel, starting way back with “X-Men” in 2000, followed by the mammoth success of the first “Spider-Man” incarnation, and then things got even more serious with “Iron Man” kicking off a revolution of Marvel heroes most of us had never heard of, thus launching “The Avengers” and the future of Marvel in the movies. But well before Marvel and the creative mind of Stan Lee conjured up the likes of Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man and even Spider-Man, two heroes were making the rounds in comic books that you’re grandfather probably read as a boy; Superman and Batman.

Part of the DC Comic Book Universe, Superman and Batman are the oldest, most iconic superheroes of them all. They’re been around for so long, they’re not just characters we know, but institutions in their own right. They are so deeply ingrained in our culture, their instantly recognisable symbols are everywhere, from clothes, to books, lunch boxes and toys, inspiring little boys from multiple generations to wrap a towel around their neck, and pretend to fly around the living room. From comic books to TV shows, the first on screen versions of the titular superheroes can now bee seen as very nostalgic and often silly, but things took a turn for the better once the movie industry got their hands on both properties.

Superman was first, appearing in his own movie back in 1978, aptly called “Superman: The Movie”. Directed by Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeve as Superman, and his secret identity Clark Kent, the film was an origins tale. Showing us the world Superman was born on, its ultimate destruction, and his journey to earth as a baby. We then flash forward twenty five years or so, and now Superman is all grown up; trying to make his way in the world as a newspaper report by day and superhero by night. It spawned three sequels, and gave us one of the best scores in cinematic history.

Then in 1989, a young up and coming director called Tim Burton was chosen to direct the first movie version of Batman. Casting Michael Keaton, who would actually play second to the films villain The Joker (unforgettably portrayed by Jack Nicholson), “Batman” was dark, gothic and brilliant. Again giving us a mesmerizing score which stood the rest of time over two decades and four movies, the first wave of Batman films were experimental to say the least, having three different actors and two directors give us four very different films, each with their own unique visual style.

By the end of the 90’s, Superman had died in the movie thanks to the God awful “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” but would find a new, temporary boost in the very nineties TV show, “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”. But it was 1997’s “Batman & Robin” which took camp to a whole new level, destroying the once successful Batman saga. TV’s Superman fizzled out after a few seasons, and we had to resort to cartoons, or even go back to the original comic book characters.

But it was in the 2000’s, that each character was given a breath of fresh air. First up, was the surprisingly good (still by today’s standards) “Smallville”, the long running series depicting Clark Kent during his teenage years in the town where he grew up. The show established a loyal fan base over eight seasons, and also during this time, the director of X-Men, Bryan Singer, decided to bring Superman back to the big screen for the first time in almost twenty years. “Superman Returns” hit screens in 2006; not a reboot or remake, but something of a sequel to “Superman 2”. Casting Brandon Routh, channelling a very Christopher Reeve like performance, the film wasn’t as big a hit as Hollywood, or us, were hoping for, due to its slow pace and lack of action. So it seemed Batman would emerge triumphant in the 2000’s.

Director Christopher Nolan, who burst onto the scene with the brilliant “Memento” and savvy thriller “Insomnia” was chosen to help reboot Batman. A great choice in director, and an interesting choice in the casting of Welsh born actor Christian Bale playing Batman/Bruce Wayne. Hot off the heels of “American Psycho” five years before, Bale was an intense character actor, showing a range that promised to take the character of Batman into some dark, and psychological places. “Batman Begins” hit screens in 2005. Not a prequel to the 1989 film as many of us thought, but its own saga. Spending more time in the making of Batman, the film was a huge success, showing a Batman for grownups, and firmly putting to rest the debacle that was Batman and Robin. So good in fact, it spawned two sequels, with the now classic “The Dark Knight” and the almost as good “The Dark Knight Rises” rounding out the trilogy. It ended with plenty of closure, and it looked like Batman had been laid to rest again, but not for long…

In 2013, with The Dark Knight trilogy having come and gone in fantastic fashion, Superman was given another crack at the movies. Handed over to visionary director Zack Snyder, who’d previously helmed the epic “300” and overlong but ambitious “Watchmen”, he gave us “Man of Steel”. The words Superman were nowhere to be found in the trailers, or marketing materials for this film, as this was not going to be a Superman movie in the traditional sense. Most of us were feeling let down after Superman Returns, and Snyder knew this. We did go back to Krypton, but spent more time there than in previous movies and it was impressively done. Deciding to portray Superman, sorry the Man of Steel, as a God like character, the film focuses on the alien-human as he tries to find his place in the world, hiding his amazing powers so as not to expose himself. Until his past catches up with him and an old enemy threatens Earth, the Man of Steel will step into his destiny and show the world what he could do.

By the end it looked like a Man of Steel 2 was firmly on the cards, so in late 2013 an announcement was made at San Diego’s famous Comic-Con event by the director himself. Speaking to a packed crowd of movie buffs and film freaks (there is a difference between the two), Zack Snyder hinted at what was to come without saying anything too revealing. Until the lights went out, the screen lit up and there appeared the Superman symbol. Looking like it was alone on screen, another image appeared behind it; the Bat symbol. The crowd went ballistic to say the least, and over the following three years, more and more was revealed adding to an unprecedented amount of hype, and worry, in the lead up to the film no one thought would, or could be made, due to arrive in 2016.

And here we are. The day most movie fans thought would never come; a Batman versus Superman film or as it’s actually titled “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. It’s been a long wait for a film like this, and long journey to the screen. Most movie goers were pleased that Zack Snyder was returning to direct, and just about everyone had happily embraced Henry Cavil as the new Superman. But when it was announced that Ben Affleck would play Batman, not everyone was pleased about this. The poor guy cops a lot of flack, and has for most of his career, and for several reasons. Things started off well for him in 1997, as he and best buddy Matt Damon wrote and started in “Good Will Hunting”, winning an Oscar for their screenplay and launching their careers. Daman chose the slow and steady climb to success, and has enjoyed a consistent career ever since. Affleck however, got caught up in the crazy ride of fame, dating Hollywood actresses and starring in several flops. Not that he’s a bad actor, but his acting choices were sometimes bad. The early 2000’s were not the best time for Affleck with the disaster that was “Pearl Harbor”, bombing at theatres and taking a lot of his credibility with him, then a fling with Jennifer Lopez that also included “Gigli”, one of the worst and poorest reviewed films in living memory. I haven’t seen it, but what I’ve heard from those who have is “Avoid. At all costs”

Affleck laid low for a while, popping up in some supporting roles, then choosing a new direction as a director in 2007. Helming the little mystery thriller “Gone Baby Gone”, Ben directed his brother Casey Affleck in a well written and well reviewed film that proved he had some smarts as a director. He continued this ascension with the terrific bank heist film “The Town” in 2010, and also starred in it. His shameful past was gradually being put to rest, as Affleck proved his maturity had come as a director and actor. Then his career hit the high times again in 2012, with the superb “Argo”. Telling the story about an audacious plan to rescue American hostages being held in Iran, it went on to win best film at the Oscars and put Ben Affleck’s career well and truly back on track. A short time after the success of Argo, it was announced Affleck was the new Batman. This created a massive divide of lovers and haters on the internet, for all the reasons stated above. Affleck was talented and had some fans, but was also known for stinking up movies, or starring in movies that stunk. But I was one of the few who was excited about this casting choice from the beginning and had a feeling Affleck would deliver as the new Batman, even so soon after The Dark Knight trilogy.

That was a long back-story to the review of this film, but necessary in creating the tone for the actual review you’re about to read. That part was long, and this part will be as well. But keep in mind, this is the long awaited Batman vs Superman film, which has been in the minds of movie fans, and in the hands of movie makers for a long time, and it is a long, epic movie with a lot going on, so to do it Justice, I will spend some time here, but won’t keep you up reading till Dawn. See what I did there? You can thank me later ;-) And rest assured, this will be a “Spoiler Free Review”, so if you haven’t seen the film yet, I will not give away anything the trailers didn’t reveal (which was a lot). But as its opening weekend, I know a lot of you will have seen the film or will be seeing it over this time, so I can give away a few things. I saw it on Friday night, and its Sunday night as I write this. I purposely gave myself a couple of days before sitting down to write my review, because I have been thinking about the movie constantly since then.

In short, I was blown away. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it dense in story and ideas, but also executed those ideas and stories very well. There are a lot of characters in this film, dancing around the two central juggernauts of comic book royalty. And the cast is big in its names and talent. Aside from Affleck and Cavil playing the good guys, you’ve got Jesse “The Social Network” Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. His performance was channelled from a place I can only image as his former character Mark Zuckerberg, after he’s lost his grip on sanity and is trying to push his next big idea after the collapse of Facebook. Returning from Man of Steel is Amy Adams, who continues to do a fine job as Lois Lane, and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, boss at the Daily Planet newspaper. Fishburne is solid here, as always, but somewhat underutilised, as he was in MoS I thought. New actors abound include the brilliant Jeremy Irons as Bruce Wayne’s faithful butler Alfred. Jeremy Irons is one of the most diverse and talented actors of his generation, with a voice that could melt steel and a range as a performer that is unmatched. The character of Alfred across all Batman adaptations, has been as the humble servant, but also the moral conscious for Bruce Wayne, as he battles with the inner conflict of also being Batman. Jeremy Irons makes the role all his own, and I prefer his performance over Michael Caine’s from TDK trilogy. Holly Hunter as Senator Finch, who deals with the aftermath of Superman’s destruction 18 months earlier, holds her ground and gets ample screen time to strut her stuff in some intense scenes between her and Lex Luthor.

Also joining the large cast ensemble is Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, which adds to the Justice League element of this film, DC’s answer to The Avengers. She’s a talented actress, and very easy on the eyes, then when she busts out her sword and shield, she steals a lot of Batman and Superman’s thunder, and I look forward to her standalone film in 2017.

Okay, so what about the movie Brian? I know, I know, I’m getting there. There’s a lot to cover here. First, I will answer the question that is probably on your mind, was on my mind going into the movie, and on the mind of pretty much the whole world after they heard of it’s first announcement. Ben Affleck as Batman – is he any good? Ah yes, the biggest casting controversy of all time. Well, you can put your fears to rest, as Affleck plays the part he was born to play. He absolutely nails it as Bruce Wayne and Batman in this film, playing the one man who is essentially two characters, extremely well. But keep in mind, this is a different Bruce Wayne than has been portrayed before, and a very different Batman. Michael Keaton was good in his era of Batman, Val Kilmer was good just for Batman Forever and what it was, George Clooney, umm… and Christian Bale personified the whole tone of the approach of The Dark Knight trilogy and the perspective that adaptation took. I can honestly say Affleck is the best Batman yet, and I’m not just coming off the buzz of seeing the movie, but he is Batman. Dark, brooding, tough, mean and relentless in his pursuit, Batfleck (as he came to be called) carries the burden of a Bruce Wayne that has been living as Batman for a long time, and he has experienced much loss, pain and regret. He’s angry, and takes that out on deserving criminals in spectacular fashion.

On that note, the action scenes in this film are second to none. Only the end relies on a heavy amount of CGI, which was fair enough given our heroes battle a giant monster called Doomsday, but in the lead up to that, Batman takes part in a car chases that could take the Fast and Furious guys to school. In one such case, he crashes a car, shoots his grappling hook to attach a cable to the wrecked vehicle, then tows that car behind him like a rag doll, and then… uses it to smash another bad guys car to bits. It’s so well staged it looks believable and all the action scenes serve the story, which moves at breakneck speed.

But of course, we are all watching this movie for one main reason; to finally watch Batman and Superman duke it out, face to face. They have battled each other off screen in their own competing films and TV shows, and who you prefer will depend largely on which of them you think is the better hero. Batman stands for justice, but is a vigilante. He breaks the laws and acts like a criminal to stop the criminals, and is clearly a dark and disturbed individual trying to ease his own pain after watching his parents being gunned down in front him as a child. Superman also stands for justice (and truth and the American way as quoted from the original film), but in later film versions was portrayed more as a saviour for humanity, then as a God. Rightly so, as he is literally indestructible with his one weakness being kryptonite. But where Batman hides in the shadows and only reveals himself to the criminals he stops, Superman shines in the light and stands as a symbol for the people of Metropolis, inspiring good in them. Two very different heroes, each with indisputable powers and the drive to stand for what they believe in, no matter what. So what brings them together to fight in the first place?

Bruce Wayne is pissed off after the arrival of Superman, with his fight to save Metropolis destroying most of it and bringing down one of Wayne’s buildings with hundreds of his loyal staff inside perishing. Bruce Wayne has also seen what men with immense power are capable of, but a God with that power that could potentially wipe out the entire human race. Power like that cannot be controlled, so Batman steps out of the shadows to put Superman in his place, and show him what it really means to be a man. The build up tho their monumental fight is what occupies the first ninety minutes of this film, and it’s a great build up. There are sub plots galore, and an evil plan by Lex Luthor to get his hands on some kryptonite and take over the world, you know the usually super villain stuff. Hie plays his own part in orchestrating the fight between Batman and Superman, calling it the Greatest Gladiator match in the history of the world; God versus Man, Day versus Night. Standing back to watch it like it’s a wrestling match, Luthor finds his way to force Superman into a confrontation with Batman, on top of Gotham city rooftop, during a dark, rainy night. The stage has been set.

Realising Batman can’t defeat Superman with just his wits alone he constructs a metal suit, complete with kryptonite bombs to weaken his opponent. Superman tries to talk Batman out of the fight, but the Bat will not stop, until he has proven that he can beat Superman. They smash through buildings, throw each other around, and come face to face in a pretty impressive punch on.

But what we also know from this film, as hinted in its own title, the bringing together of Batman and Superman wasn’t just so they could duke it out, but also to form the Justice League, and find a way to work together despite their different stances. In the comic books, the Justice League also includes Wonder Woman, who we meet here, as well as the Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. The Flash is currently enjoying his own hit TV show on Netflix, and gets a small look in here. So do Cyborg and Aquaman, but the way these characters are introduced does feel a little short changed. I guess there presence is hinted at, but never fully revealed, as this movie is mainly about Batman and Superman after all.

So without giving too much plot away, what is my overall consensus on the film? I have to be honest, there are some aspects that I am struggling with, but overall, it was a very good film. Not really great but not bad either. I mean, you have to give the filmmakers and cast some credit. Never before have two of cinemas biggest superiores been put in one movie. Their characters are so deep, nuanced and complex on their own, they could have had their own separate movies again before meeting up here. But DC has a lot of catching up to do to Marvel, who have already had two Avengers films and are well into Phase 3 of their story arc. But in a few years, The Avengers could come to an end, and then DC will have the opportunity to step into the ring and fight for our money at the box office. Will they get the chance to do that?

They could, even if you or the many other people seeing this film over its opening weekend and into the future decide to embrace it, and not pan it as many critics have. The film is not perfect, but then again is any movie truly perfect? It was an audacious and ambitious plan from the beginning – put Batman and Superman into one film together, have them be established as characters, introduce new characters and hint at the future of the DC universe all in one film. It was a mammoth task, and at 2 ½ hours in length, the film can be excused for its length with so much to cover. Despite the running time, it runs by in a Flash¸ and you should enjoy yourself enough to forget the time and marvel at some awesome action, and strong performances by a talented cast who worked very hard here to give us a good film that hints at a bright future ahead.

<<<Return to A to Z list