First of all let’s give credit where credit is due: Ben Affleck looks great as Batman in Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. In the movie, adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel by Frank Miller called The Dark Knight Returns, Batman essentially goes up against the Man Of Steel.
While the movie delivers on a lot of frontiers (a lot of it is under-appreciated), the sheer outcry from a large section of the audience is quite bemusing. Rotten Tomatoes calls the movie “a grim whirlwind of effects-driven action” and has given it a measly 28% rating.
What is the hoopla about?
And is it justified?
Let’s break down what it is that you take away from what could be the best story told by Zack Snyder.
Spoilers ahead.
Embracing the brood
The dark montage that has become the hallmark of the franchise flicks ever since Christopher Nolan decided that Batman needed a serious overhaul is used here, abundantly. This is the first gripe I hear.
Now a proper response would be that Snyder decided to carry the serious mood from Nolan’s Batman trilogy forward by paying homage to his predecessor. The story of Gotham and Metropolis share a gloom that not only makes sense storyline-wise but also creates a platform for a character like Superman to show emotions of self doubt and desperation.
Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel blossoms into the role magnificently and will perhaps be remembered in the same echelon as Christopher Reeve’s version of it. However, for those who are used to things blowing up for no reason (All Hail Michael Bay) or stories that have snazzy one liners just for the sake of it (All Hail Ironman) it will be testing. The story needed a gray canvas, and an engrossing mind.
The seeds of the League
One of the most talked about scenes from the movie is the introduction of Wonder Woman. Honestly, Hans Zimmer and co. have given her probably the most badass theme song in comic cinematic history to debut to.
One largely overlooked portion of the movie that deserves some love is how staple characters like The Flash and Wonder Woman are interwoven slowly into the story.
Gal Gadot fits like a glove in the character of Wonder Woman. Her character development in the 2 hours’ runtime was precise and the reveal of Aquaman, Flash and Cyborg all create enough intrigue to look forward to The Justice League (to be released in 2017).
The League will consist of all the players that were seen in Dawn Of Justice and what made it remarkable is how the movie used a plot to give us the first glimpse of these super heroes. The hand in sleight logo reveal was a treat as well.
The actual fight
Here is the meat of the problem! This is what has fanboys up in arms about what is terribly wrong with this movie. The fact that the movie is billed as Batman Vs Superman had them looking forward to a nonstop fight sequence that lasted for two hours straight. They certainly didn’t expect it to be this short.
But why was it this short?
You have to realise that while kidnapping a parent and extorting Superman was easy, Luthor had to really dig in to make Batman actually KILL Superman.
Because Batman does not kill, and the circumstances that were created and scavenged upon to do so reflect good writing by the team at the studio. The whole build to the conflict was as important, if not more, as the fight itself.
You have to create enough hate and helplessness for that brawl to the death to actually make sense when it happens.
Stumping even the hardcore fans
One of the most astounding scenes of the movie came when Batman had Superman pinned down, ready to turn him into a Kryptonian kabab and Superman utters “They’ll kill Martha.”
In all my years of following both of them, never had it occurred to me that Bruce and Clark’s mother shared the same name.
Now I don’t consider myself a know-it-all superfan but the mention of a parallax as such a crucial point in the movie brings to light the thought and work put into this project.
The last word Bruce Wayne’s father says is ‘Martha’ and Snyder did this early to let us soak that in and how it went on to mean so much more.
These are the little details that we crave for. The whole movie turned upside down after this and it was a scene that actually stumped both Batman and moviegoers who actually understood the gravity of it.
Too long? Not really
While we love a great Michael Bay hundred-car-explosions fiesta for hours, it is only decent for us to occupy ourselves in what actually Dawn Of Justice was primarily looking to achieve.
It was trying to tell you why someone like Superman would break. Not just by being extorted by Luthor but being maligned again and again. His squeaky clean conscience is challenged and he gives in. The fall of God if you will. Bruce’s return to the Dark Knight needed a lot of provocation as well.
The movie and carnage of Man Of Steel basically happened in Wayne Towers. Time and again, it was perceived that Superman is not the solution but a big alien problem.
The ode to the Joker on Robin’s costume, the explanation of the Gruff Bale Batman voice, from the important to the filler, all possible plot holes were filled by creating a movie that was two hours of good storytelling.
It is apparent that Snyder wanted to honour the graphic novel that was much lauded when it hit the stands as much as possible.
And he did so quite eloquently on film.
However, if one still does not appreciate the movie, you will at least smile at how Snyder gave a final salute to his executive producer Mr. Nolan with the final coffin shot.
If a gritty, and emotional comic book movie by two great directors is not your cup of tea, maybe you need a new drink!
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