Film: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Jeremy Irons
Rating: **1/2
Walking out the screening of this film, I heard a kid say that this was the best film he had ever seen. Of course, I didn't agree, but I wasn't going to say that to him. He probably doesn't know better. But that same unbridled emotion and expression is going to divide audiences down the middle. You'll either love this film like it's the best ever or loathe it with a degree reserved for cruel punishments.
Don't get me wrong. Batman v Superman isn't a bad film. But it isn't a good film, either. It's quite middling. In fact, it makes the fanboy in you want to throw spitballs at Zack Snyder for being so mediocre in the face of far better superhero movies and franchises. You were rooting for the film going in too and it's disappointing to see your expectations crash.
You hoped Zack had learnt from his mistakes. Like really hoped. Didn't happen. Well, it's possible Zack might well be on his way to handing Warner Bros their first tentpole disaster of the year.
.
The film doesn't fail for want of trying. It tries and how. You see an older Ben Affleck as Batman slug through more than half the film, coming off as a latter-day Rocky Balboa. You see Superman even more clueless than in THAT trainwreck of a film called Man Of Steel. You see Henry Cavill as someone who looks the part but doesn't feel it, not by a mile. Hell, he was far better in The Man From U.N.C.L.E than he is in this. They all sulk. Everybody except Lex Luthor. The rest of them walk about like they The Walking Dead.
Halfway through, you begin asking yourself if this is a bad Bollywood film. It sure feels like one. Short of the song-and-dance, it might as well be. They won't win any awards, but it wouldn't hurt them to try and not look all gloomy all the time. At interval time, you're still all like 'What?'
Or...
Or you will find yourself wondering if the hype was all worth it. New viewers who are unfamiliar with comic-book canon, will probably tilt the balances in BvS' favour. They may storm to screens, dragged there by their loved ones, who could be equally ignorant and end up liking it A LOT. It's equally possible. For now. But there's a strong feeling that surge won't sustain.
Either way, you can watch this film once to know what all the fuss is about. I love the sound and fury but I'm thrown by their talent for stating the obvious in two exchanges between Bats and Supes and Supes and Lois, and wasting their other talents with impunity. The film speeds through things you'd need time to explain and lingers on scenes where you don't need to.
The photography and post-production of the film is top-notch, though. Origin stories, reveals, visions and dramatic entries, pauses and exits all make their way into this film and fight for space over the span of a little over two and a half hours.
Irons and Affleck are the best reasons to catch this film. God knows it isn't Cavill's fault. I'd say don't miss the beginning and don't miss the end. Everything in between is fair game. Your move!
