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The Problem with Batman v Superman Is Our Idea of Comic Book Movies

4/16/2016

13 Comments

 
By Cody Pestana
Picture
I went into Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on opening night expecting to dislike it. I am not a fan of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, and by and large I agree with critical consensus on the quality of films in general. I was already dubious about the film and the mounting bad reviews convinced me that it was a lost cause. I expected to enjoy the moments for the comic fans, and to have fun with my friends, but also to see a poor story badly executed. As the movie progressed I slowly stopped looking for problems and enjoyed the movie more and more. While it was not a perfect film, it was very good. And as a film that consistently swung for the fences, when it succeeded (which was often) it did so in spectacularly epic fashion.

I left the theater confused by the poor reviews from critics and by the negative reactions from some fans. I went home and perused the negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes trying to figure out what I got from the film that others did not. The first thing that I noticed was the fact that there is no consensus on what is wrong with the film. Is Lex Luthor too over the top or is he a highlight of the movie? Is there too much action or too little? There seems to be very little agreement on the actual mechanical problems with the film as a whole. And if everyone is not seeing the same problems then perhaps they were missing the real problem altogether.

The most consistent criticisms were not in fact criticisms, but observations made in a derogatory tone. Reviewers call the film serious and dark, which is an absolutely accurate description of the film’s tone. However, many films have these qualities and they are not all doomed to a life of ill repute for their trouble. In the reviews these comments are often linked to the assertion that the film is boring and plodding. The idea that these traits are interrelated seemed nonsensical to me, but for some reason reviewers seemed to link the film’s seriousness and darkness to boredom. I still felt as though I was missing something.

Looking at the particulars of these comments it seems that the issue is, to a certain extent, tonal. In general, superhero films tend to steer away from some of the more fantastical elements of the comic books upon which they’re based. For instance, Superman’s vulnerability to kryptonite is excessively exploited for dramatic material in films and television, but his weakness to magic has never come up in adaptions despite being a valid part of the comic book canon. The X-Men don’t get involved in alien wars in their movies and until we get Doctor Strange later this year, we have yet to see a spell caster as a superhero.

At this point I started thinking about the term “comic book movie.” In reviews this term doesn’t just mean that the film is an adaption of a comic book, it implies tone and content as well. Movies that are described as such tend to move more in a science fantasy direction. Something like The Avengers, which is the story of a Norse god using an ancient artifact to open a sky portal to facilitate an alien invasion. At the opposite end of the superhero movie spectrum is The Dark Knight, which approaches its story as more of a crime film than hard sci-fi. The Dark Knight is also often described as less “comic booky.” Measured against these two examples, Batman v Superman is very much a “comic book movie”. It has alien monsters, prophetic dreams, and the implication that time travel will crop up later in the series. In a dream sequence we even see Parademons, the foot soldiers of the alien god Darkseid.

The fantastical nature of the film alone in no way explains the film’s unpopularity. After all, Marvel has pushed into the more fantastical aspects of their superhero canon to great success. Thor leans into its fantasy elements and Guardians of Galaxy has more weird aliens than JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. Clearly this is not where the disconnect lies. I think there is another side to superhero films that are labelled as having more of a “comic book vibe”. Films that get this descriptor tend to be tonally lighter and more easily digestible. In essence, a “comic book movie” takes itself less seriously. Going back to the comparison of The Avengers and The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight is more self-serious and moralizing whereas The Avengers is thematically lighter and tonally funnier. This is where Batman v Superman fails. It splits that dichotomy in half. While it is fantastical and bordering on science fantasy, it is also dark, self-serious and moralizing, in some ways perhaps even more so than The Dark Knight.

The most successful modern superhero films all seem to fit neatly into their place within this dichotomy. The Dark Knight Trilogy is on one end. A little closer to fantasy are the X-Men movies, but even these have abandoned their source material’s more overt sci-fi elements in order to focus on a more thoughtful civil rights metaphor. Further in the other direction are the Marvel Studios films with their lighter tone and less preoccupation with human social politics. Even within the Marvel Cinematic Universe this continuum is respected. The films with a more political slant, such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, have all-human casts of characters and do away with their more fantastical elements, whereas the more fantastical films like Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy lack the more relevant themes thus allowing the audience to take them a little less seriously.

Ultimately I suspect that that is what this is about: the more fantastical sci-fi and fantasy elements the film asks the audience to accept, the less willing the audience will be to take the film seriously. This is the unexplained element in the overwhelming poor reviews and in the assertions that the film's darkness and seriousness are negatives. Looking ahead at the unreleased Captain America: Civil War you can see that Marvel, in approaching similar themes of the morality of superheroes, has pushed aside its non-human heroes and villains and even seems to be avoiding the fantastical infinity stone MacGuffins that are such a significant part of that particular cinematic universe. This is all in contrast with actual comic books, which not only tend to be more fantastical than the films, but run a broad tonal range- from light and fun to deeply serious and politically and morally relevant.

This all, of course, harkens back to the misguided notion that comic books are inherently childish and silly, a lowbrow form of literature unworthy of higher themes. Even now as they are at a peak of acceptance in the mainstream, a superhero film that asks the audience to accept a fantasy world of aliens and magic, while simultaneously using that world as a backdrop for an operatic epic about the morality of power is roundly rejected. The film’s flaws are blown out of proportion by confounded reviewers who want to see charming movie stars make quips in brightly colored costumes while they punch aliens. The reviews for Batman v Superman lack consensus and are unsure of themselves because no self-respecting reviewer would admit to themselves that they didn’t like the film because it overturned their expectations and asked more of them in terms of engagement than they were willing to give. But after careful consideration and reading many negative reviews I am convinced that that is the reality of what happened here. Batman v Superman stood as an invitation to expand our idea of what a movie starring superheroes could be allowed to do, but it seems that in the end it was an invitation many were unwilling to accept.

​Cody Pestana is a writer and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. You can contact him at codyp75@hotmail.com.
13 Comments
Alexander L Martin
4/13/2016 11:09:00 pm

This article is well thought out and meticulously written, but more than all that it's fair. The thing I do want to point out though is that watchmen, v for vendetta and Bryan Singer's X-Men movies all also exist in this same self serious headspace and work fine. The crux of the issue seems to be Superman, either through juxtaposition with Christopher Reeves portrayal or the unerring always sunny disposition of the character in comics. People will not settle for bleak, nor will they allow the character to adapt. Nearly every fundamental change in vision for this character is roundly rejected in film out print media, from eclectic blue Supes, to no flights no tights, to the most recent New 52 iteration. I actually find it pretty sad that the most powerful being in fiction can never grow.

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Jeff
4/14/2016 01:08:26 am

You make a very interesting point Alex. I think for many of us Christopher Reeve will always embody who Superman is and should be. But then you take Smallville, one of my all time favorite shows, and I think Tom Welling embodied all of that too. I've always said, for me, Tom Welling is Clark Kent and Christopher Reeve is Superman. But I guess with both Reeve's and Welling's portrayals of the characters, there was that sense of goodness and hope and always trying to do the right thing. With both of them, I always felt that their characters were who we should all aspire to be like. Are you saying you don't feel that with the other interpretations of Superman or that you wish people could let the character be portrayed differently? Thanks so much for the great comment!

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Dipu Bhattacharya link
4/13/2016 11:27:12 pm

This is a really intriguing theory. While some would counter that the explanation is simply that the movie is terrible, I wouldn't. It's not the best film, but I actually thought it was decent. But it is something different. It's a fantastical Nolan film, or a less-quippy Marvel film. Kudos on finding a reasonable take on the reactions to this film.

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Jeff
4/14/2016 01:10:46 am

Totally agree Cody presents a fantastic theory and a very cool take on the whole debate! It is different and different isn't bad. It's actually good that superhero movies are trying to be different. And when you do that, you make some people happy and some people not so much. But I respect taking the chance to do something different. Thanks so much for reading the article and commenting Dipu!

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Skorpio Moon
4/14/2016 12:30:17 am

If it looks like there's no consensus it's because there's THAT many things wrong with the movie, reviewers have a plethora of problems to choose from. Personally I was bored to tears because there was no constructive narrative, the movie tried to be about 6 different things and ended up being about nothing, so with no story or character arc to follow I had no interest. Sorta reminds me of Prometheus, they threw around a ton of weighty, interesting ideas, but never formed them into a coherent narrative. I think their worst mistake was trying to have their cake and eat it too. If you want to do a thoughtful introspection on heroics then do it, but you don't get to have a giant team up and fight monsters at the end too.

I wish they would have just picked one idea and worked with it. Clearly they wrote themselves into a hole with MOS (which I loved but) with all the destruction because now we HAVE to face this conversation of "is having Superman worth it" accept we didn't really have it, because this Superman was dragged kicking and screaming into the cape to begin with and he never even announces what he stands for in this. I guess like the talking head pundits say on the tv "maybe he's just a guy trying to do the right thing" but they muddled the whole plot and added all this junk about Lex trying to frame him which we didn't even really need.

This wasn't a movie about Superman, or Batman, even tho their names are in the title neither one really operates as a hero much in the way we know them before this conflict starts. And It's not even about them fighting, they don't even really have a war of ideals - maybe that opposition is hinted at in a scene or two, but to an outsider neither one of them should look particularly trustworthy.

I could almost like this, if maybe they picked one angle. You can explore the aftermath of MOS, you can have Lex dupe them into fighting, you can have an ideological battle about heroics, you can have Flash come back to warn Bruce about a future where Superman loses a loved one and goes tyrant, you can have Lex preparing for Darkseid (although I have no idea why he would be helping him by eliminating Superman and ringing the dinnerbell), but just pick one and write a story about it.

And it's not like there aren't things I like about it:

I liked how Superman always saved Lois. Especially if you're going for more realistic in this interpretation, you KNOW this Clark is going to be attuned to the frequency of her voice at all times, he has his priorities.

I sortof liked Pa Kent's butterfly effect speech, about the unintended consequences of heroics, that could have been just one concept to focus on and actually work into your narrative.

Wonder Woman looked so incredibly good. It's stunning how well this character design looks on Gal Gadot. I'm glad I didn't walk out and waited to see her in action.

I liked that whole Bat-branding aspect. Showing how Bruce has upped his tactics because he feels inferior to Superman was good, and I loved Alfred's quote on it, but it's still too bad they couldn't actually make the story about that and work it into the plot, instead of just having Batman literally in a rush to kill him. And even if his quest was misguided, Batfleck pursued it with a single minded obsessiveness that was picture perfect Batman.

But that's enough about BvS for the moment, let me try to understand your main point. I don't see what the infinity gems have to do with it, they're not what Civil War is about, it's not time for that plot yet, and the Infinity war movies even have their own tentative dates already, so they shouldn't even be in that movie, which does btw also have Scarlet Witch and Vision. I think I see where you're going that the more serious material, TDK, Jessica Jones, Super, tends to be more associated with less otherworldy heroes, but I would think most critics aren't that wrapped up in superheroics in one way or another, some of us can fanboy argue the adaptations all day but I think most people looked at this objectively as just a movie and saw a poorly told story, that they quite frankly should have been embarrassed to hand in as a final product. I think BvS could have been an invitation to expand our idea of what a movie starring superheroes could be allowed to do, in the way my above mentioned examples did, but it didn't have anything to say, it almost literally didn't let our main character, Superman, speak.

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Jeff
4/14/2016 01:15:14 am

Hey Skorpio! Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and comment! I had a very different reaction to the movie than you did but you know I super-respect your opinion and am glad you voiced it. I can certainly see your point about the movie trying to do a lot of things all at once. That can often be a big problem and while it may not have worked on every level, overall I still enjoyed it. And I 100% agree with you about Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. I couldn't imagine them doing that costume any better than they did. It was perfect and totally badass! Look forward to hearing your thoughts on Civil War when it comes out!

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Jeff
4/14/2016 01:04:04 am

This is a fascinating and really well-thought out analysis of the movie and the reactions to it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Cody so thank you so much for writing it! This movie has created a lot of emotions and passions in people and you could say that alone is good. My film mentor always said the worst thing you can ever do is make a film that people have no reaction to, that they just don't care. So this film is definitely creating a reaction! But it's awesome to read your fair, even-handed assessment of the movie. And while I understand some people's problems with the film, I enjoyed it and can't wait to get it on Blu-Ray or digital and see the extended cut! And I'm even more excited to see Ben Affleck do his Batman stand-alone movie! That is going to rock!

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HonkyTonk Buffalo
4/14/2016 06:32:20 am

I had zero faith in this movie going in. And I say that as a HUGE fan of Batman and as an unapologetic Zack Snyder fanboy (In my circle of friends, I take a TON of grief for liking Suckerpunch, Watchman and even more for being a fan of Man Of Steel!). When the stills were released before the first trailer, I was actually kind of pumped. I wasn't like everyone else who jumped on the 'Ben Affleck is going to suck as the Dark Knight bandwagon. I was going to give the Jersey Boy a chance. I really liked him as Daredevil, he might rock this. Then I hear Jessie Eisenberg was cast as Lex and that was the beginning of my journey of complete apathy for this movie. Don't get me wrong, I liked Eisenberg in Zombieland and Now You See Me, Now You Don't, but why on Earth would Zack cast him as one of THE MOST evil, diabolical, cold, intimidating, calculating villains in the DC universe?? (I still stand by my wish list of having Brian Cranston cast as Luthor...Would have been the best casting since Patrick Stewart as Professor X!) Then, we got that trailer. That horrible, HORRIBLE trailer. Worst music ever for a trailer, not to mention, the whole Wonder Woman/Doomsday reveals, and the whole 'feel like I've seen the entire movie in the span of this trailer' vibe. Not to mention, every horrible feeling I had about Eisenberg as Lex Luthor was CEMENTED by that trailer.
I was done. I had literally checked out and had no more interest in this movie. Any hype that I felt for it, was now dead. Oh, I was still going to see the movie. Nothing was going to change that. It's just that, now....I just didn't care.
I also still avoided any TV spots, or spoilers, just in case there was any thing that WASN'T given away in that trailer.
You know what? I REALLY liked this movie. To all the original Affleck haters who came out in droves and broke the freaking internet upon news of his casting, can suck it hard, because, to paraphrase Jay from Jay and Silent Bob...AFFLECK WAS THE BOMB AS BATMAN, YO!! Anyone who said that Ben would stink up this movie...here's your slice of humble pie. Eat up.
I liked the story. I liked the cast. I liked the acting by the cast (With an exception that I'll get into in a minute...). I liked the tone. I liked Gal Godot.
This is a good movie!!
Now, that being said....Here's what I didn't like...
I hate when I'm right. I do. I LOVE being proved wrong. Cases in point...Michael Keaton. Heath Ledger. Chris Evans, Gal Godot. But damn, when Hollywood lobs you an easy pitch, it's hard to deny. Jessie Eisenberg IS this movies black eye!! He is the scar on the face of this movie. If you want a bad guy who's a over the top, psychopath, with OCD ticks, who is like Daffy Duck on crack, bouncing off walls, chewing up scenery and is a poor Joker knock off...THEN HAVE THE JOKER AS YOUR VILLAIN!! Every time Eisenberg walked on screen, all I could do was hold my breath and wait till he walked off!! I absolutely hate him in this movie. Don't give me nods and winks. BE FREAKING EVIL!!
The other thing I didn't like was shoehorning. One of the biggest problems X-Men 3 had was too many story lines crammed into one movie. I think Zack took this as a challenge and tried to top it. And even with a two and a half hour run time, there was not nearly enough time to let these story lines be organic to one another. It was like there was a bunch of different disjointed plot points, that were VERY QUICKLY super glued together. The scene with Diana checking out the metahuman files could have been shot a week before the movies release and just dropped in at the very last minute. Just stuff like that. Just have some natural flow...that's all I ask. Not...here's a scene...now here's a scene...now here's a scene. Let me know why this scene connects to the next scene.
Also, I'm all for build up...but in a movie called Batman Vs. Superman, I'd like to see a little more of the Batman Vs. Superman part. Again, we're back to the rushed shoehorning thinking of "We have to end the BVS fight quickly, so we can get to the Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman fight with Doomsday..."
I actually hope that Warner Brothers and the Snyderverse pay attention to every bit of negativity that surrounds this movie and use it as a learning opportunity.
Take the praise of those of us who liked the movie, but pay attention to why others didn't. Don't dismiss the fans. Why do you think Marvel is so successful?? Marvel loves the fans...Non comic book fans and die hard fan boys alike. Just listen to us. And I'm not talking about ignoring cannon or continuity. Batman Vs. Superman has more Easter Eggs and references than you can shake a stick at. I'm talking..."Well, why didn't this part of the movie work?" or "What could we have done to make that part better?"
Bottom line....
I REALLY dug this movie. I'd see it again in the theatre. I have recommended it to friends. I will be buying it on Blu-Ray in a few months.
Also, I'm now pumped for Affleck's solo Batman movie and Gal's Wonder

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Aaron
4/14/2016 03:37:15 pm

I'll just say, I have not been looking forward to this movie at all, from the announcement to the casting, other than Jeremy Irons I scratched my head over every decision we were told during production.
The film to me seemed like it was just a reactionary cause to stay relevant since Marvel has been killing it with their films. I'm a huge DC fan but I vowed I wouldn't watch it... until I got wind of the reviews.
I was expecting it to be somewhere in the middle like Man Of Steel. But I wasn't expecting such horrible reviews from critics, and such passionately glowing reviews from fans. So I decided to go opening day to see why people were so divided about it.
I'll admit, its not as horrible as I thought it would be, but it is far far far away from being a good movie. Its not innovative or smart as it would like to be. I do believe there is a good, even a great film in there, but its far disconnected to the film its trying to be.
I think people have based their judgement on the movie on their own criteria. I think critics aren't looking so much as this is the first time we have all these DC heroes in one film together, they were basing it on what they think makes a good movie whether its a comic book movie, drama, sci-fi, whatever. For fanboys they were grading it on what they wanted to see coming into it. It either worked or failed based on their own criteria. And I agree with both.
As someone who loves film and cinema, this movie fails badly in what it wanted to be. I know its dark in tone, unlike many comic book movies, but the Dark Knight trilogy worked, and it was dark, why? Because it executed its theme and tone better. The biggest problem I had with the film is the theme and ideas the movie brought up and just seemed to abandon those ideas. The themes and ideas drive motivations, and I felt that was all over the place. Superman got the worst treatment in this case. I didn't know what his fight was, and when he realized who he was. If they could have made that clear I think it would have been more impactful to the film. Going as dark as they did, made the film unentertaining. Again, you can go dark, but still be entertaining like the Dark Knight through performances, plot, dialogue, the crafting of moments. Much of watching this movie I have to admit, felt like taking medicine or doing my taxes. It wasn't compelling drama within its darkness, if that makes any sense. I couldn't understand why people were doing certain things and why they had to be in the film. Unless I fell asleep, but what did Wonder Woman need with Lex's files? I understand Batman's needs but not hers? They didn't make a core reason why she needed to be in the film other than we want to sell tickets. For me that was very frustrating. Much of the ideas in this movie was like that. And don't get me started with Lex, that's a topic on its own.
And about the difference with the darkness in this movie as compared to the lighter tone of Marvel films, which I do agree sometimes they get a pass with critics, I feel this movie didn't have that drive to any kind of light or hope to balance its message. These weren't really heroes to me. Their causes weren't for hope or to help, they felt selfish. I have a big issue when the people Batman is helping don't want to be helped because they are too afraid of him. What kind of hero is that? Did they forget these are heroes? Because if you think about their actions in the film, how many heroic things did they do that they seemed proud of and was honorable.
Now the fanboy in me, I have to admit, seeing all three heroes together for a moment I got excited. The fight scene in the warehouse with Batman was awesome, though I credit the stunt guy more than I do Ben Affleck. I think he was okay in the role, as Bruce Wayne and Batman, but to me he doesn't bring anything new or different to the character, overall I still don't think he's that great of an actor. But the treatment of the fight scene was amazing. And for Wonder Woman... she does look the part, she can pose, but I still not sold she can carry a movie on her own. I'll probably watch her solo film and that might be it for me with this DC version of my childhood heroes.
Overall the film is what I thought it would be when it was announced. I feel like its heroes for a different fan base and generation. I think mine is in the old comic books and movies. And I'm okay staying there for now.
I think people have the right to think what they want to think about the film. I don't think anyone is being manipulated or not seeing what the film is or isn't. I just don't like being told that its something that its not.

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Marx Pyle
4/14/2016 04:08:49 pm

Good read, thanks for sharing!

I think it comes down to WB wanting to skip ahead to where Marvel is. But they forgot it took time to make a team made up of a WWII super soldier, Norse God, rich hi-tech suit hero, superspy, super archer, and a green Mr. Hyde on steriods into a movie that wouldn't be destroyed by critics.

Here are some of the mis-steps this movie made in my opinion. (And please keep in mind I actually enjoyed the movie overall, but I can see why it had such a negative reaction.)

1. Dream sequences added little and caused confusion in how they were presented.

2. Time travel "message" was confusing how it was fitted in, especially with dream sequences in the mix.

3. Too many important plot elements were turned into 'easter eggs'. Batman's loss of a sidekick, burned down mansion, Jimmy's fate, the parademons, etc. Darkseid is obvious to comic book fans, but not to mainstream audiences.

4. Possibly the worse version of Lex Luthor to date. I suppose he was kind of a throw back to mad scientist Lex, but he was missing the cleverness of the character. It was a waste of a good character.

5. Speaking of which Doomsday was smooshed into the story in a clumsy way.

They just tried to do too much in one movie in this one.

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Brett DaSilva link
4/14/2016 07:30:25 pm

Not sure what reviews you are reading as far as people not knowing why they did not like the movie. All of the people I have seen reviewing it have come down to one thing. Snyder’s idea of what a hero should be differs from most people. This started in MoS and spilled over into Batman V Superman. To me it all starts with his portrayal of Ma and Pa Kent, both in MoS and in BvS. We have a paranoid Pa Kent, and we have Martha Kent telling Superman that he does not owe the planet anything. Heck Clark even sits there and lets his dad die, essentially committing patricide, to protect his secret. Clark had no moral compass that the Kent’s provided in the comics. Instead we get the mopey Man of Murder. Pa Kent, Zod, and all of the innocents that died in the battle with Zod. We have a Superman who has a God complex, when he is not busy moping around. This is the paragon of superheroes we are talking about. The representation of everything we hope to inspire to. Instead, Snyder drags him down into the mud with us.
Then we have the worst representation of Batman I have ever seen. Really he is branding and maiming criminals now? Not to mention how many people he killed rescuing Martha, and in the dream sequence. One of Batman’s golden rules is no guns. Ever. Yet here he is happily gunning down thugs like it was his job. Then we have him declaring Superman must die if there is even one percent chance of him being bad, we must take it with absolute certainty. Really?
Now we get to the actual movie itself. So many holes. First Clark can hear Lois in trouble a world away, yet can’t tell where Martha is? It takes all of two seconds for Batman to find her. Then there is the dream sequence, or was it a dream sequence with a terrible looking Flash. We have Superman not being able to move when exposed to Kryptonite, yet can fly with a spear made of the stuff and be able to fight with it. What? Then the whole Martha scene that everyone is making memes about. “What your mom is named Martha? So is mine!” BFF’s. Luthor was played like a Chihuahua on speed. Incoherent. There is no way he could be a criminal master mind. More like a well-read frat boy. The only saving grace of the movie was Wonder Woman’s appearance to fight a terrible CGI Doomsday. There is a reason that the movie tanked after the first week. Nobody was going back for return watchings.

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Eros @HuntersRealm link
4/14/2016 07:52:06 pm

There has been some incredible viewpoints and some opinions I hadn't considered. I don't want to run through too much of what I enjoyed or didn't, but I will hit some highlights.

The Critics
I feel that critics in the past reviewed films based on their individual merit, regardless of the genre. Critics of today, for the most part, judge films by whatever is the "in" thing, and will curry most favor with the fans. And were there is a stigma with comic book movies, its easy to trash them to earn praise. I use Star Wars: The Force Awakens as an example. Most people, fans and critics alike, overglorify this movie as being truly great. I almost suspect that for it to be so long since Star Wars, people would not admit to it being bad. And this is not me saying that I think ep 7 was a bad movie, I just feel that for me it was not what I was hoping for in a movie, Star Wars or otherwise. Going back to Batman vs Superman, it was easy to codemn, especially going off of the initial teaser trailer. (I confess, I was guilty of the same thing. )

The Movie

I enjoyed the movie, hailing it as becoming my favorite Batman movie to date. There are a few picadillos regarding the story, but on whole, I felt it delivered what it was suppose to, which is not deliver a great movie, but to set the path for the introduction of the other DC characters. But this also gives me some concern. I don't want them to duplicate what Marvel is doing or try to keep pace with them. I want them to keep focused on telling good stories, so that we can continue to see more comic related movies. And as far as Zack Snyder is concerned, I enjoy most of his work. He at least handles the characters and lore with the respect they deserve (Joel Shumacher, we are looking at you)

The Bat

Simply put, this was stellar. Aside from a few things here and there, This is closest to my vision of Batman, the one I had first been introduced to as a kid, as I have ever seen. He was fluid, proactive, distinctions between Bruce and the Caped Crusader, and despite his motives for fighting Superman in the movie, he still came out as a champion for justice. I could go on and on about the nuances of Affleck's Batman vs the other iterations before, but suffice it to say, I felt that this was Batman.

I think the biggest thing about BvsS is that it finally started breaking the bonds of reality root. By this, I mean that moving away from taking fantasy characters and trying to root them in reality, and instead open them to a fantasy world that supports that character. Thats where I feel most previous comic movies fail, and where the current crop from Marvel and BvsS are succeeding. After all, we dont go to movies to escape into a reality, but rather escape from one. If only for a little while.

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Los Angeles Lakers link
2/26/2023 10:55:06 am

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