This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
Oscar Herrera’s review published on Letterboxd:
This review may contain spoilers.
SPOILER WARNING!
It took over 70 years since these gods of comic books were created to come together on the big screen and the question that needed to be answered was did it deliver? And my answer is yes. For me this movie had to meet a few criteria to get the minimum score of a 3/5. Them being the following: Ben Affleck portraying the Batman character well, Henry Cavill properly developing the Superman character, Wonder Woman should be an intriguing character, the hints of the Justice League should feel natural, the fight between Batman and Superman should be awesome, Lex should be a compelling villain. All criteria met.
Ben Affleck as Batman. This is the Batman I always wanted; dark, brutal, menacing. He held nothing back, to the point of the killing which I have no problem with. He has seen the filth of criminals, no good in them and has experience enough personal loss to push him over that line. As Bruce Wayne, you get to see the playboy, snarky millionaire and the part of a detective which is a big part of the character. What sold me on Ben Affleck was the subtlety of his performance. There were moments were you can see on his face the anger towards Superman or Lex. The rage burning in his eyes, his facial muscles twitching because he needs to release his anger. The solo Batman movie can't come soon enough.
Henry Cavill as Superman. Cavill is my favorite incarnation of the character. I grew up with Reeves and Routh but never felt they were Superman as I knew him. Here we see him struggle with the ideals of both his fathers and the reality of the world around him. The guilt of every action he takes burdens him and tries to be the hero the woeld wants him to be. My only problem was when he was Clark Kent. Kent for me never tried to be the hero or tried to stand out. Here he wants to stand out, be noticed. Nevertheless, still a fan of the character and his performance.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. I don't have a lot to say because she wasn't too much in the movie but what I do have to say is positive. She had little dialogue which carried weight, all giving insight to her and the Justice League. For me the moment that sold me on her as Wonder Woman was in the Doomsday fight. She gets knock on the floor and as she picks up her sword, she gives a little smile. I was locked in after that. Wonder Woman accepting the challenge. I am so happy to seeing her on the big screen!
Justice League. This movie suffered the same fate as Iron Man 2, sacrificing time from the main story to develop the larger universe. This brought the movie down a few points. However as a fan of the Justice League animated movies and TV shows, I really appreciated the hints. From the appearance of the Flash crossind dimensions to the meta-human files, my inner geek screamed. Maybe I did a little myself. Seeing the files on WW, Cyborg, the Flash and Aquaman made me happy. The Flash file reminded me a bit of the scene from The Incredibles when Dash placed the tack on the teacher's seat. Seeing Aquaman as a menacing presence and the display of power from him, the sonic boom underwater, made me excited for the Aquaman movie.
Batman v Superman. The fight while short delivered. Seeing Batman created multiple ways to defeat Superman was very exciting. Especially the Kryponite gas, straight from the comics. Love love love. And seeing the clear winner was Batman made it better. I was slightly disappointed they didn't use the icon line from TDKR but no biggie. I do wish it was bit longer.
Lex Luthor. Many people I know criticize that his intentions were never known. Why he was so against Superman. There was a scene where he mentions his father waved flowers to tyrant and that he didn't want to do the same. He doesn't want to e under an authoritarian figure, that figure being Superman. He sees Superman as a threat and wants him gone. That idea steeming from Injustice: Gods Among Us. He played both sides and knowing the alter egos of the heroes, doing more so effectively. This incarnation is the one I love the most because it shows Lex as a manipulative psychopath but in the light as a weird rich boy. Much better than a man who only wants real estate. Crazy at the end but he was used to tease what is to come. He did have access to thousands of years of Kryptonian knowledge so he knows more about what is out there than Superman.
Friends and family of mine said they couldn't understand the story. Granted the movie wasn't edited well. Yet I managed to take in and process every piece of story well. I had little problem with the story itself. The execution yes. I would have cut down less on the Kyrptonite and Lois Lane storyline.
Overall I really love this movie. Was it perfect, no? Was it too long? Just a tad. Did it meet my expectations? Yes. And that is all that matters to me. I am willing to discuss this movie with others. And I stand with my score