demonhunter_tnt’s review published on Letterboxd:
Is this a perfect movie? No, it isn't. Will non comic fans understand it? Yes, they will, but there will be many questions. Is it a movie for kids? No, I think most kids would enjoy and understand Michael Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle better. Could it have been better? Yes, it could have. But you have to understand that Zack Snyder is trying to condense everything for the audience, so it's no easy feat and he is not trying to make a Marvel-type superhero movie. You already have Marvel for that. DC offers something different.Will everybody love this movie? No, because everybody has different expectations and taste. Just because I don't like Harry Potter movies or Star Wars movies(although I do love Star Wars), doesn't mean it's garbage.
Just bear with me, a quick summary with no spoilers & we're done & you can watch it, make your own judgement and hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
The good: Set pace. The movie tries to set a little bit of background for all the key characters in the story, and then bring them altogether. What are the motivations, motives, & direction of each character are laid out. So there is a slow build up.
There are many unexpected twists. Quite a few scenes might give the audience the jolt.
Character portrayals. It fits the story Snyder is trying to tell. And the pace, style and approach was first set in Man of Steel movie. So, to enjoy this movie better, you can watch Man of Steel first. Because there are many things that carry over from that movie. All the characters are well played. Their emotions, their characteristics, their psychological make-up fit this story.
Action sequences. This is not the stylistic Marvel-esque Avengers type flamboyant Joss Whedon action scenes(I loved that anyhow). The action is very very brutal and very violent. You could feel as if the invulnerable superhero bones could literally crack and break. They give you a sense of gripping terror and excitement at the same time. They also give you a sense of realism.
The whole movie is anchored on one very powerful emotion and theme of 3 things. It is something that will grip you, it is something you can relate to if you let it. Hate, Love & the ultimate gift one can give out of love.
The bad: There are definitely parts that will confuse the casual movie audience. Quite a few of them. Because these parts not only serve their purpose in this story but for future stories. I must admit, these are some of its greatest weaknesses.
Batman v Superman is not a mindless beat down contest of 2 characters to prove who is the better one. There are many parallels in this fictional story to everyday life. Gone are the days of the Christopher Reeve Superman, a world I'd like to believe was more peaceful and kind. The cheesiness(which I also liked), the jokes, the more relaxed DC superheroes movies are gone. The movie shows you that despite that brutality of evil and the almost insurmountable odds that evil is winning everytime, and you just want to say "Screw this world, I give up," the movie gives you inspiration that there can still be hope. There is still good in people.
*Note: Personally, for a very long time, many people complained that superhero movies are for kids & children. It's lame. Superman is lame, Wonder Woman is lame. They hated the softness. So, now it is very hardcore, very gritty, in your face harsh reality. And they go "o mi gosh, why is Superman so violent?" Is this how I like my superheroes, not entirely. But I can still understand and accept why & enjoy it.
I enjoyed the movie, and if you didn't enjoy it, it's okay. These characters are not set in stone. There are multiple stories of them. Different versions of them. Timeless legends being retold in many ways for many audiences with different tastes. Someday, they'll make another version that you'll like better and it could be quicker than you think. Thanks for reading. smile em