Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Now, before I start this, let me get one thing across.  I thoroughly enjoy a comic book film, I enjoy Marvel and DC and have no real affiliation to either.  Batman is one of my favourite characters and I often state that “I am Batman” and I can prove this as we have never been seen in the same room together.  I have read graphic novels such as The Killing Joke, Death in the Family and Hush, I love the Arkham games which have recently further instilled my Batman fandom.  I also must confess, although I have watched the original Donner films several times, the character of Superman is a little dull for me.  A man impervious to pretty much anything except shiny green crystals (although it does not have a massive effect), perfect nature and not much personality does not really hold much threat.  The recent re-incarnation of Man of Steal had some very interesting and enjoyable moments, but then transitioned into a dull and lackluster third act of boshing through building for 40 mins with little regard for anything or anyone else.

My expectations for BvS:DOJ had been reduced to the lowest level with the release of trailer upon trailer giving away key plot points and pivotal moments.  I had no qualms against BatFleck unlike most of the internet enraged by Warner Brothers casting choice for the Dark Knight, similar issues were raised back in 1989 and I think Michael Keaton did a great job with what he had.  So with gutter level expectations and hopes, BvS:DOJ could either meet or exceed….

There are some entertaining moments, but unfortunately in a 3 hour fiasco, moments are tear drops in an ocean of filler.  The whole film feels like a trailer for things yet to come.  When your whole film has no real story to conclude but introduces so many new threads it leaves you feeling unfulfilled, yes, the film is called Batman V Superman and both titular characters do have a versus, yes the film is subtitled Dawn of Justice leading to the start of the Justice League, but if I wanted to watch trailers for the upcoming titles let me do that outside of a film, not watching someone watch YouTube on a computer for 10 minutes!

The moments of grandeur mainly involve our beloved Bat with an Arkham style fight scene (in the trailer) or the car chase through the streets of Metropolis (in the trailer), but they are few and far between.  Lois Lane is a constant damsel in distress, Wonder Woman (in the trailer) is completely irrelevant to the plot and Doomsday (in the trailer) as a final big boss which the Bat and Supes have to team up to destroy (in the trailer) harks back to the final 40 minutes of Man of Steal….uninvolving, hard to follow, over the top CGI and with little consequence.  Although in this final battle we are constantly reminded by news broadcast or exposition that each area of the battle in completely bereft of any human presence.

This film is the launching platform for the DCU and in answer to the well-established MCU.  It feels incomplete, it feels as though in 10 years when the franchise reaches its conclusion we will be able to come back to BvS:DOJ and understand the open plot points.  Terminator Genysis comes to mind with its Sarah Connor plot points and the new Skynet, these were left open ended at the end of the film as part of the trilogy…but the trilogy has now been cancelled and this film will always be incomplete (and terrible).  BvS:DoJ (although inevitably the franchise will continue) is absolutely incomplete.  I know Marvel are doing this as well, but their franchise is established, however the films stand on their own as well.  BvS:DoJ cannot stand alone, it needs the conclusions to be complete which we will have to wait a decade for.

I am actually looking forward to the upcoming Suicide Squad which is all part of the DCU, however, after learning from the mistakes of BvS:DoJ’s advertising campaign I have subsequently avoided all trailers and marketing for fear of having insight into major key plot points.  Maybe this is the way forward for all DCU properties?  As I said at the start, I am a fan and will continue to watch the universe expand, but my interest may dwindle if they continue to be unfinished properties.