Batman V: Superman Dawn of Justice

[Strat]

Fuck. That shit is still tough to watch.

[BurtReynolds]

9/11 was a disasterporn reference goldmine. I use it all the time.

[Orpheus]

I liked the first part of Man of Steel that actually explored the character, but it sounds like this movie is two and a half hours of the last part of that movie, which completely sucked.

[bada]

Reviews don't mean much.

We all lean that way except when they tell us what we want to hear. Then it's "the reviews are so good for this. I can't wait!"

On the other hand, I can't remember the last time a movie had such consistently negative reviews, and especially where the complaints were as consistent as these have been, and where the movie turned out to be really good. If anything, compiled reviews are usually too kind (see: Jurassic World).

Yeah as usual McP sums it up. The thing that I find most distressing is Snyder didn't just mine Frank Millers visual aesthetic but also his characterization choices. I don't care for 'The Goddamn Batman'. It's a hack version.

[BurtReynolds]

Interesting take on Snyder (and by interesting, I mean it agrees with me.)

http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/z ... comics.php?

[Citizen Dick]

I haven't been looking forward to this movie (too many factors were pretty clearly off from early on to make me think they could course correct after MoS) but I've got to say that I'm truly entertained by the first batch of reviews and the boneheaded responses (and counter-responses) on review comment pages.

Batfans v Schadenfreude

It's providing a level of entertainment that you typically can't mine from a tentpole blockbuster and for that alone I'm glad the movie got made.

[Orpheus]

Interesting take on Snyder (and by interesting, I mean it agrees with me.)

http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/z ... comics.php?

This seems pretty spot on to me.

[Mecca]

I liked the first part of Man of Steel that actually explored the character, but it sounds like this movie is two and a half hours of the last part of that movie, which completely sucked.

we ain't so different, you and i

[epilogue]

I love this review, even though I disagree with parts of it http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/ffc/201 ... stice.html

that was a great read

Wow, yeah. It really was. Great read.

[epilogue]

So, for those who have seen this, was Snyder lying in those interviews? Is there a bigger baddie that Doomsday? Did those trailers give everything away?

[stip]

So, for those who have seen this, was Snyder lying in those interviews? Is there a bigger baddie that Doomsday?

The insignificance of man?

[epilogue]

So, for those who have seen this, was Snyder lying in those interviews? Is there a bigger baddie that Doomsday?

The insignificance of man?

[E.H. Ruddock]

Insignificance is an overrated song.

[BurtReynolds]

[stip]

excellent

[bada]

[Jorge]

I just saw it today for the second time. After this second viewing, and letting it sit with me a while, here are my thoughts.

Sorry if it's a bit scattered, I'm typing this in a hurry. Light spoilers.

What works:

Spoiler: show

- Batman. This is my favorite film portrayal of Batman. Affleck did a fantastic job here. I love his take on the character, which is more Dark Knight Returns than "the goddamned Batman".
- The opening sequence. Well, both of them. There's a hazy, oniric quality to the first one, and also genuine emotion in the retelling of the events at the end of Man of Steel.
- The actual Batman vs. Superman fight, which is just thrilling, though slightly too brief.
- Wonder Woman. I wish we had gotten more of her. Her performance in the big fight at the end really makes me excited for her upcoming solo movie.
- The cast. I really liked everyone! Even Eisenberg. I'm less enthusiastic about his performance now than I was after my first watch, but I enjoyed the manic energy he brought to the superserious proceedings, even if it was hammy.
- The score, particularly the Luthor leitmotif. I understand that it might feel slightly out of place amid all the grimdark, but opera almost by definition has an element of camp, and this movie is nothing if not operatic.
- God, this movie is gorgeous. I'll just quote that review Strat posted, because they put it really well.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is one of the most visually beautiful comic book movies you have ever seen. The picture is filled with moments of visual poetry and pure cinema in a way that resembles one glorious splash page after another. If you have any interest in seeing it, I beg of you to see it on the biggest IMAX screen you can find. It is every bit as big and spectacular as you might hope. The best moments of Dawn of Justice resemble nothing less than a feature length adaptation of a series of Alex Ross paintings in all their naturalistic glory.

What doesn't work:

Spoiler: show

- It really is a disjointed mess, almost incoherent at points. There's a convoluted sideplot that fills up the film's first act, which is also by far the most tedious part of the film. They really should have simplified. They had the bones of a good story here.
- The pacing. There are entire stretches of the film where information is relayed to the audience in minute-long vignettes, and it throws it all at you from various angles, from all over the narrative, hoping you can make sense of it. Then out of nowhere, the narrative is interrupted by a montage to fill us in on information we should've had 30 minutes ago.
- The Justice League teasers. Just like Thor's bizarre little cave trip in Age of Ultron felt completely out of place and resolved in nothing (at least in its own movie), there are a couple scenes here that bring the narrative to a screeching halt, deflate the tension, and are never referenced again (but will presumably be resolved in the Justice League movie). These really feel tacked-on, particularly the one near the end where we get to see... well, I won't spoil it. But it sucks.
- I know Superman constantly saving Lois Lane is part of the character, but jesus christ do they overdo it here.

A few more thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- The scene with Batman and Luthor near the end felt completely unnecessary, though I liked his berserker rage.
- Diane Lane delivers the best joke in the movie.
- At one point Batman says a line that will make Burt's blood boil. "We can do better."
- The movie is ambitious. It is one grand maximalistic mess, and I find that admirable. It really swings for the fences. But it's also incredibly frustrating because they had all the tools to make an amazing movie: a talented visual stylist, a good screenwriter, a good cast, and ridiculous amounts of money. They needed a better storyteller. They botched it.
- Still, I find the critical drubbing to be somewhat over-the-top. There's a lot to enjoy in this movie, and the aesthetics alone push it over a great many superhero movies in my estimation.
- The crowd in both of my screenings applauded at the end. But also, the guy directly behind me in my second screening fell asleep. Make of that what you will.

[Mecca]

non-spoiler review, please jorge. did you like it or nah?

[Jorge]

Yes with a mountain of caveats

[Mecca]

Yes with a mountain of caveats

i wouldn't have it any other way