Batman V Superman - Review

Well, I’m pretty sure that this was one of the most-anticipated films of the year, and that’s putting it mildly…

Brace yourselves, folks; I’ve got a LOT to say about this one.

 For many comic-book fans, film fans and fans of both alike, Batman V Superman is a pretty big deal. Promising the clash of a lifetime between two superhero icons, this film was not only meant to be a big blockbuster event in its own right, but was also meant to sow the seeds for what was to follow AKA Justice League. But, in their rush to catch up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (which, when Doctor Strange is released in November, will have produced a grand total of 14 films thus far), have Warner Bros. and DC bitten off more than they can chew? Let’s take a gander…

Using the ending of 2013’s Man of Steel as a springboard, Batman V Superman opens (after revisiting a scene fans of Batman will know all too well) in the midst of the Metropolis battle, only this time from the viewpoint of Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). After losing friends and workers during the conflict, Wayne grows increasingly paranoid and bitter towards Superman (Henry Cavill), whom he views as responsible. Meanwhile, Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent are facing the conflicted emotions of the human race, some who view him as a saviour and others who view him as a ticking time-bomb. As well as this, he’s taken note of the brutal Bat vigilante wreaking havoc on criminals in Gotham and is becoming determined to stop him. Whilst Batman and Superman look set to collide in a furious battle, the mysterious Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) and unstable billionaire Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) enter the fray with their own agendas…

First things first: no one can deny that director Zack Snyder (who also helmed Man of Steel) knows how to make a film look good. The visual aesthetic he brings to the film, whilst decidedly grim and bleak, is nonetheless captivating and hauntingly beautiful in certain scenes; an early example of this is the opening sequence which details the fate of Bruce’s parents. Whilst this is a scene we’ve seen several times before, the visual composition from both Snyder and cinematographer Larry Fong give the moment an operatically visceral punch which revitalised the scene for me personally. There are magnificently framed shots littered all throughout the film, and the majority of them pack a grandeur one would hope to associate with a film titled Batman V Superman. And, as is to be expected, Snyder and Fong are aided with mostly spectacular visual effects (although some come across as a bit undercooked, most notably in the final confrontation). From a purely visual standpoint, Batman V Superman doesn’t disappoint. Aurally, too, the film is powerfully compelling; most of this is thanks to the stellar musical score from Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL, which combines the expectedly exciting grandiosity flowing through the multiple scraps with unexpectedly tender and chilling work underlining the two titular characters.

Speaking of the two titular characters, let’s talk about Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. As soon as he was announced, Ben Affleck received no end of flak on the Internet. The haters brought forth the ghosts of past failures such as Gigli, Paycheck and especially Daredevil (Affleck’s last shot at portraying a superhero), whilst all but ignoring the noteworthy steps he’s taken as not only a director but also an actor in the past decade since those aforementioned films. I had hope for Affleck right from his announcement, and now that the film’s been released, I can happily say that my faith has been rewarded; Affleck nails it. Whether as the smarmily confident playboy, the brooding and simmering man behind that persona or finally the brutal and potentially psychopathic Batman, Ben Affleck delivers a terrific performance which easily ranks amongst his best. This is an older Bruce Wayne, one who has seen many atrocities and lost many friends, and Affleck never misses a beat in showing both the torment and rage plaguing this man, as well as the determination to rid the world of a dangerous being who, in his own words, “could burn the whole place down”. The physicality he brings to the role is immense; he owns the mask and cowl, never allowing it to cloud his portrayal and being utterly convincing in the stunning scenes where he brings the terror to the terrible (the introduction of Batman is arguably the most frightening and gothic to date). I could gush about Affleck for a long, long time. Alas, I can’t say the same for Cavill as Superman. Don’t get me wrong; Cavill is good in the role. He has several solid moments and, come the final act where Clark really gets put to the test, Cavill noticeably steps up his game. But there’s still a stiffness to him which neuters his appeal, which is disappointing since his work in the TV show The Tudors shows him to be an effortlessly charming and charismatic actor given the right material. Whilst Affleck gets a healthy dose of material where he can allow his Batman to breathe and establish his presence, either Clark or Superman are given much characterisation for Cavill to work with. One reviewer (and this is someone who loved the film) said it best when she said that Superman was more defined as a character by those around him. I wanted a Superman with more of a personality and with more of his own distinct character, but I didn’t get that and, in my opinion, it held Cavill back from giving a better performance, something which causes a major problem for the film.

Sadly, Cavill isn’t the only one to suffer from a weak character. Amy Adams, one of my favourite actresses working today, tries her best to bring purpose and presence to Clark’s girlfriend and fellow journalist Lois Lane, but both she and the character are sorely let down by the film-maker’s insistence on having her be the damsel in distress far too often. This makes her seem like less of a character and more of a contrivance. A similar fate befalls Diane Lane as Clark’s adoptive mother Martha; Lane brings warmth to the role (and she gets easily one of the film’s best one-liners), but she is woefully under-used, with the character appearing far too little and too late; much like Lois, this is an important character in the Superman mythos, but here she’s treated as more of a plot device.

Whilst Cavill, Adams and Lane are noticeably affected by their under-developed characters, a lot of the supporting cast really sink their teeth into their material. When you have a film with Batman in it, it’s almost inevitable that his trusted butler Alfred will play a part somewhere. In Batman V Superman, we have Jeremy Irons, who delivers his own brilliant and distinct take on the role. Here, Alfred has become resigned to the fact that the master he cares for has not only almost given up much on a normal life in his battle against crime, but may also have begun to lose himself in the same moral cesspool as the criminals he’s fighting. Irons is terrific at portraying this somewhat more bitter and hardened take on the character, and the relationship between him and Bruce is given captivating layers thanks to the interactions between Irons and Affleck. Irons also brings a dry and sarcastic wit to Alfred which lends a much-needed humour to the film. As Perry White, the editor of The Daily Planet where Clark and Lois work, Laurence Fishburne enlivens the film any time he appears. Perry is easily given the largest amount of ‘funny’ lines out of any character bar Alfred, and Fishburne knocks every line out of the park with a cynical zest; his scenes with Clark are also great in emphasising how out-of-date some of Clark’s ideals are perceived to be when compared to the world around him. Holly Hunter (who’s portrayed a superhero herself as the voice of Elasti-Girl in The Incredibles) is superb in her role as a senator with open suspicions about Superman, never more so than in one of the film’s stand-out moments where her performance is key to the steadily amplifying tension.  

Now we come to Gal Gadot as Diana Prince AKA Wonder Woman. When Gadot was announced for this role, she seemed to cause even more controversy than when Affleck was announced as Batman. Haters cried out that she was too petite for the role, along with the fact that she hadn’t exactly proven herself to be a strong actress in the past (after all, her biggest credits prior to this film were her role in the Fast and the Furious series). However, since the release of the film, she seemed to have gathered a really passionate fan base, with several proclaiming her to be sensational in the role. Whilst I think she is solid in the role, I don’t think that Gadot is spectacular here. She certainly has a strong physical presence and she manages to deliver most of the character’s dialogue effectively (despite her powerfully thick accent), but I honestly think that some people may be confusing the character and her abilities as portrayed on screen with the actual performance from Gadot. I’m not saying that Gadot is bad; in fact, she’s probably one of the best things in this film. But I also think that she represents one of the film’s biggest flaws, which I will discuss in more detail later.

Speaking of the film’s biggest flaws, let’s talk about Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Whilst both Affleck and Gadot may have received their fair amount of controversy upon being cast, the frenzy surrounding Eisenberg eclipsed even that. If you even knew a little about the character of Lex Luthor, you’d know that this was as far left-field as the casting could be. Luthor is often depicted as a suave, calculating and dominating presence; whilst I could just about see Eisenberg pulling off the calculating side, I really wouldn’t associate him with being either suave or dominating (especially when put next to HUGE men like Affleck or Cavill). But still, if Affleck and Gadot can overcome the negative buzz and create some pretty impressive fan bases, surely Eisenberg could do the same, right? Well, I don’t want to sound cruel, but Eisenberg doesn’t overcome the negative buzz; in fact, he pretty much proves it all correct. Now when I say this, I’m not trying to sound definitive; I know that many people genuinely liked Eisenberg’s performance and the character of Lex, and that’s fine seeing as art (in this case, performance art) is subjective. If you’re reading this review and liked Eisenberg, please leave a comment and tell me why; I’d like to see your opinion and whether there are any points I agree with. But there are three distinct reasons why I just didn’t buy Eisenberg’s portrayal or Luthor’s character. The first is that he’s just too flashy and over-the-top when compared to everything occurring around him; Eisenberg seems to be in a completely different film to everyone around him. The intensity of what’s occurring on screen almost all but dissipates every time he arrives on screen, with one exception (and even that’s problematic). The second, which is more the filmmakers’ fault than Eisenberg’s, is that nobody seems to acknowledge just how unstable Lex is; this is never more evident than in the scenes when Luthor clearly shows his insane instability and people not only shrug it off, but also continue to give him access to top-secret and incredibly dangerous technology (often without supervision). If most of the serious and supposedly intelligent characters continuously allow an obviously dangerous sociopath to run rampant, that’s a big problem for the audience when it comes to the suspension of disbelief. The third, and potentially biggest fault, is that Eisenberg is essentially portraying The Joker instead of Lex Luthor. Whilst it’s one thing to play the character of Lex Luthor with some added eccentricities, there are just too many similarities to Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight (which is, in my opinion, still the definitive live-action Batman film). The twitches, the exaggerated speech, the attempts to replicate that performance’s masterful juxtaposition of dark comedy with slowly mounting dread… The filmmakers and Eisenberg are clearly trying to copy the success of that incredible character and performance, but it doesn’t work and instead comes across as a forced copy-cat (and this isn’t the only way the film comes across as an attempt to copy a successful comic-book film formula). Don’t take my word for it? Watch arguably the best scene featuring Luthor in the film, a rooftop confrontation, and keep your eyes peeled for three actions/character moments, two of which directly rip off aspects of the Joker from The Dark Knight and one which comes pretty close. Having the character of Luthor essentially be the Joker here is also egregious given that the latest portrayal of the Joker by Jared Leto is set to debut in this August’s Suicide Squad. In short, I’m all for taking some liberties with characters if it will lead to a stronger cinematic portrayal, but there are some things which shouldn’t be changed (I’ll bring this up with regards to Batman later). If I had a choice between seeing the traditional Lex Luthor or this twitching nut, I would have instantly chosen the traditional character and prayed that Bryan Cranston would have been cast. Even Eisenberg fans have to admit that seeing Cranston as the more sophisticated, charmingly maniacal incarnation of the character would have been a spectacular prospect.

But whilst the cast provides plenty of healthy debate material, one of the main reasons people would want to see a film like Batman V Superman would be for the action sequences, one particular sequence especially. And, for the most part, the action is terrific. The sequences depicting Bruce Wayne/Batman in action are genuinely thrilling, and are the most exciting set-pieces in the film for me personally (except for one which, although drenched in gorgeously grim imagery, doesn’t really amount to much in the story). The early scene depicting Man of Steel’s final battle from Bruce’s POV is particularly heart-pounding, and shows the vulnerability of humanity when confronted with such powerful forces. In fact, that’s a critical reason for why Batman’s action sequences are so effective; he feels like more of a human character than Superman by far, and the practical stunt-work prevalent in several of his action scenes only adds to the immediacy of Batman’s crusades. The final, huge show-down is also well-realised with some genuine crowd-pleasing moments, although the CGI can be underwhelming at points.

Now, let’s talk about the key battle, the one which is clearly laid out in the title; Batman V Superman. From a purely visual stand-point, this is an undeniably impressible face-off with several well-shot ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ moments of visceral panache, and I do like how the odds continue to shift in each character’s favour. Unfortunately, I have one major criticism with this fight which thoroughly under-cuts any potential enjoyment; it doesn’t feel earned. Sure, we’re given some reasoning for why both sides want to fight each other, but it’s all pretty slim and feels more like the film-makers pulling the strings to get to the fight faster rather than the characters organically coming to blows. One of the character’s motivations for the fight, in particular, makes it less of a genuine battle of ideals from that character’s position, which essentially removes much of the drama and conflict. I’m also torn on the concluding note for the fight. On the one hand, it’s a cleverly pointed observation on an oft unnoticed fact which defines both characters. On the other hand, it’s easy to see why many people would deem it as an anticlimactic finale to such a huge and titanic show-down. Personally, I lean more towards the former than the latter, but I do think that a stronger conclusion was certainly possible. On the whole, I don’t think that the conflict between these two characters are well-established and strong enough to justify pitting them against one another so soon in this cinematic universe, therefore making the scenario come across as rushed.

This is where we come to possibly my biggest issue with the film, that being the rush from the filmmakers, Warner Bros and DC to catch up with what Marvel has accomplished. Here’s a big reason why I think Marvel have succeeded in their Cinematic Universe thus far; they have taken their time. After the success of Iron Man, they didn’t charge head-first into big, defining films like The Avengers or Captain America: Civil War. They instead took their time to build up to those event films, and whilst some films have moments where they seemed more concerned with teasing future films than in telling their own stories (looking at you, Iron Man 2), the collection of Marvel film have still ultimately succeeded in creating a large universe with numerous different connections and a terrific cast of heroes (and a few noteworthy villains). The upcoming clash between Iron Man and Captain America in Captain America: Civil War has been brilliantly built up over the course of several years through both the individual films for those characters and their prior interactions. Part of my excitement for that film comes from the fact that we’ve seen this conflict brewing for such a long time. So my question is; where was the build-up for the conflict in Batman V Superman? In DC’s haste to catch up with Marvel, they have foregone all of the time and care which Marvel puts into their products to try and immediately capture the same box-office magic. Ironically, this results in a two-sided problem; while the titular conflict is decidedly underdeveloped, the rest of the film is grossly overstuffed to try and keep up with the competition from Marvel. We have numerous sub-plots vying for time, some of which don’t hold up thanks to plot holes which only become more and more apparent upon closer inspection. And then we get the nods to the future of the universe. Whilst Gal Gadot makes a strong debut as Wonder Woman, it would have probably been better to wait until her own solo film next year to introduce her, as she doesn’t play much of a critical role in the titular face-off and therefore distracts from it. But at least she’s not the most obvious set-up for future films; no, there are so many references and appearances which are likely to mean little for casual viewers and which ultimately serve no purpose in this film other than to set up future instalments. Granted, there is one visually trippy appearance which I actually liked, along with a beautifully sombre appearance from a familiar face. But apart from those moments and the presence of Wonder Woman (which, as I said before, I still find problematic), any hints towards future instalments really didn’t work. As if that weren’t enough, some of these actively derail the story that this film should be telling. For example, in the final moments leading up to the main fight, the filmmakers suddenly drop a huge and clumsy chunk of set-up for multiple future films. The placement of that scene in the middle of the build-up to the big fight not only shows poor editing (an issue which is frequently apparent in the film), but that Zack Snyder, Warner Bros and DC seem to care more about the future of their Cinematic Universe than they do about its present state. And, if Warner Bros and DC carry on with that mind-set of putting the future above the present, their universe may not have much of a future to look forward to (as hinted at by the huge box-office drop Batman V Superman suffered over its second weekend at the U.S. box office).

So, with all of that being said, what are my overall thoughts? Decidedly mixed. It is one incredibly frustrating disappointment, taking what could be a grand piece of comic-book film entertainment for the ages and instead using it as more of a marketing ploy to get audiences interested for upcoming films. Even when the film looks like it’s going to do something different and shocking, the filmmakers back out at the last second. Funnily enough, I had a funny feeling they would do this on one occasion, and why was that? Because of an interview concerning Justice League. While the manipulative and greedy set-up for future instalments is a major issue, it’s not the only one I have. The evidently apparent plot holes, the lack of characterisation (especially for Superman), Cavill’s lacklustre performance as Superman, the under-use of actors like Diane Lane, Lois and Amy Adams being little more than a damsel-in-distress, the sensationally awkward performance from a miscast Eisenberg, the underwhelming main fight and the lack of convincing build-up for that fight, often sloppy editing… There are a ton of issues which severely impeded anything good I could take away from the film.

Even Affleck’s Batman, easily my favourite thing about the film, has a major problem in his characterisation. Whereas most prior incarnations of Batman have rarely killed, restraining from doing so to avoid becoming the very evil he’s trying to stop, here Snyder and writer Chris Terrio’s interpretation murders low-level criminals without blinking. Granted, Michael Keaton’s take on the character was similar in his occasionally murderous crime-fighting, but even he would flinch at how merciless Batman is here. Prior to writing this review, I was going back-and-forth on whether I could get behind this idea, and after much deliberation, I just can’t. It’s really dismaying that Snyder and Terrio felt the need to change something so defining for the character and offer very little verbal explanation for it; sure, we get that he’s world-weary and has been through a lot, but if he’s still intent on fighting evil and protecting people, shouldn’t there have been at least a small scene of dialogue explaining why he’s suddenly changed his methods? There is a very brief explanation, but it’s not enough to justify changing such a well-established part of the character. Batman going on killing sprees just makes what is already a very dark and grim film more so through an unwarranted level of brutality. The filmmakers may be trying to make an ‘adult’ superhero film, but by simply adding more brutal violence and death when it’s not called for (especially for a character like Batman, whose appeal mostly stems from his struggle never to stray too far into the darkness where his adversaries dwell), it ultimately reveals a somewhat child-like mentality.   

Now, does all that mean there are no good things to take away from Batman V Superman? Well, despite what the last few paragraphs of this review might have you believe, there are actually enough good things to warrant me offering a mild recommendation. Despite my issues with Batman’s murderous ways, the portrayal of the character is otherwise sensational and Affleck’s performance is amazing in every facet. Jeremy Irons makes a wonderful and unique Alfred, and the scenes between Irons and Affleck are terrific in illustrating just how much these characters have been through. The supporting performances from Fishburne and Hunter are superb, and while I think it would have been better for her to have been revealed in her own film, I still like Gadot as Wonder Woman and think that she gets some stand-out moments. Visually, the film is often captivating, with an enveloping gothic atmosphere and some expectedly stunning visual effects for the most part. To Snyder’s credit as a director, he creates some incredible sequences (not all of them being action set-pieces, either), with the opening depiction of the Wayne’s fate and a latter sequence involving Hunter’s senator being particular stand-outs. The musical score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL is not suitably epic and intensely exciting, but it also captures unexpected levels of poignant emotion and dread. The action set-pieces (with the exception of the main fight and a visually intriguing but narratively lacking sequence) are very well-handled, with the solo Bruce Wayne/Batman show-downs and chases being the most entertaining. And finally, while I haven’t discussed this prior, I will give Snyder and Terrio credit for attempting to create some good ideas and areas for discussion in the film (e.g. must there be a Superman?) They may not have entirely succeeded, but their efforts in that area should be given a little acknowledgement.

Final Verdict

Well, I realise that my thoughts on Batman V Superman are highly mixed, but then again the film is incredibly mixed. A lot of people hate this film and a lot of people love this film, but I can’t bring myself to do either. Instead, I can say that I found enough to offer a mild recommendation (although it might be worth skipping it in cinemas and just waiting ‘til you can watch it on a nice big TV screen). There is just enough visual and aural power, stellar acting and gripping action to make me happy I saw it once. However, the lack of anything I feel encouraged to revisit, coupled with all of the severe problems I have, means that it will be unlikely I have an urge to watch it again in the foreseeable future. If you disagree or agree, let me know why in the comments. In closing, I really hope that Warner Bros and DC learn not to charge so quickly into proceedings without following Marvel's lead and taking the time to get ready; as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. And with Batman V Superman, they clearly couldn’t wait.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5