Film review: Batman v Superman

I’ve always found it easy to criticize a play or movie but rarely been able to pinpoint exactly why/where it went wrong and how I would ‘improve’ it if asked (however unlikely). I’ve seen several things recently that have just left me disappointed so here are my attempts to evaluate why.

 BATMAN V SUPERMAN 2016

I’m not a comic book fan so will never fully understand the anticipation and excitement that surrounds the many superhero films that are released each year. I find them very repetitive and can never grasp the strange humour that comes at odd points during the films (for example during an epic fight scene someone will say something sarcastic like ‘nice one marvelman!’). 

However last night I saw Batman v Superman with my boyfriend (I admit I was a bit begrudging but he would see anything with me if I asked so its only fair…) and it wasn’t until seeing the film did I realize how remarkable Christopher Nolan’s Batman films had been and how much I’d relished them. Nolan’s Batman trilogy had been insightful, believable and tragic with fully formed relationships, villains and motives thus I never found myself asking ‘why would he do that?’

There were so many points in Batman v Superman where I questioned why a character was behaving in such a way?? The brooding Batman of Christian Bale was replaced with a spoilt, sulky Affleck Batman stomping about in a ridiculous robot suit with glowing eyes and platform boots. Jesse Eisenberg’s contrived villain felt very much like ‘an actor playing a deranged character’ lacking any truth or agony but following a formula promised to convey what was needed.

Perhaps more time could’ve helped him fully realize the character, more studies of human behavior or just more exploration of backstory? I only felt this way because again, Nolan set the standard for strong villains with thorough motives and backstories. Nolan not only gave us an intimate insight into his heroes and villains but he also kept us on our toes, refusing to signpost ‘important plot points’ or treating us like idiots.

In comparison, Batman v Superman treated the audience like we were pretty thick and here are some examples:

1.     When Superman mentioned his mother’s name was Martha I quickly remembered the first scene where we’d learnt Bruce Wayne’s mum was also called Martha and thought to myself ‘aw they have the same name’… But just incase anyone in the audience hadn’t made the connection we are shown a flashback of the first scene again! We are shown Bruce Wayne’s dad slowly mouthing ‘MARTHA!’ as she lies dying (with the pearls in her necklace bouncing around) then shown Bruce visiting his mother’s grave where the name MARTHA is boldly engraved. Only now, once we’ve all made the connection can we watch Affleck’s face attempt a sad expression that turns to one of compassion/forgiveness for poor Superman lying at his feet (his cape arranged beautifully around him).

2.     The employee who lost his legs manages to climb onto the statue and deface it by writing ‘False God’ (if I remember correctly). A policeman shouts at him to ’get down’ just as he starts his graffiti message yet we don’t see him being led away until the entire message has been scrawled. We cut to Clark who is watching the news of the defacing on tv, which shows the defaced statue with a broom visible at the side feebly cleaning the statue. I don’t know why that shot annoyed me (haha) I think it was because the broom wasn’t really moving but it was there to show the city was already ‘on it’. 

3.     When ‘Wonder Woman’ joins the fight near the end she is given her own theme music. It is a poor excuse to add ‘girl power’ to the film with this cheesy rock music as up until now she has just been some chick with backless dresses (and a nice back). Saying that, there had been a moment of anticipation when a black and white photo featuring wonder woman leading a ‘revolution style’ gang had been shown. That photo showed a lot of promise for a strong, wild female character who unfortunately never showed. Instead all Wonder woman contributed to the fight was a series of highly sexualized poses concluding in her holding/pulling on a rope that happened to fall between her open legs! In 2016 is this really all the female superhero can offer?

It wasn’t clear for me why Batman wanted to kill Superman other than the fact Superman made a mess of the city during the first fight scene, was I missing something or is that just why he was mad? I feel Batman has made messes as well, he’s always involved in car chases that leave multiple vehicles overturned and crashing through windows so its not something he can be sulky about?

Batman felt sulky throughout but not in the thoughtful/broody way, the spoilt billionaire way that was jealous someone else in a cape was stealing the spotlight.

There were several attempts to show Batman as a two dimensional person but they were so cliché: Bruce Wayne hugging the little girl who stood amongst the rubble left by Superman, Bruce Wayne carrying flowers to his parents grave or Bruce Wayne’s greying hair (two symmetrical streaks either side). The latter I am actually fond of because grey hair should be embraced and it suited Bruce’s character!

This brings me to the conclusion of my piece where I will highlight the few things I did enjoy about the movie despite its flaws. I wouldn’t see this film again and hope to avoid the sequels (which I’m sure there will be many, many more to come!).

 Here are some things I enjoyed in Batman v Superman:

As mentioned, Bruce Wayne’s accented grey hair.

Speaking of grey hair I was not expecting Alfred to have got so sexy! He was also a little more catty than usual so I thoroughly enjoyed everything Jeremy Irons did with the role. Michael Cane will always be the better butler for Bruce, Jeremy is still in his manly prime so would probably bring men/women back to the bat cave to impress them but this dashing Alfred character definitely brought a bit more eye candy to the viewer (aka me).

I thought the bat mansion and caves were beautifully executed; the view from Bruce’s bedroom was stunning with the misty lake adding beguiling mystery. 

Superman’s flying was beautifully done he ascended swiftly into the air, occasionally hovered but always landed with a grace and stillness. Henry Cavill’s sensitive features and mannerisms contributed to the ethereal and God like portrayal of Superman and I discovered a new fondness for his character. I enjoyed Superman’s interactions with ‘normal’ folk that further highlighted his uniqueness, visually his courtroom entrance and Mexican day of the dead rescue were very strong and ones I’m likely to remember. I’m glad the flying sequences were done so well as made to look so effortless, in this way it almost makes us believe flying is possible for humans!!!