#REVIEW: “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

For years, Fans of superhero franchises have been awaiting a showdown between two of the Comicverse‘s greatest forces. That day finally has come with the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice under the direction of  Zack Snyder.  What the Fans get here however, is a pastiche of action sequences – albeit incredible – perhaps over-enhanced with CGI, versus a truly cohesive piece.

The Movie begins where off with 2013’s Man of Steel ends as we see Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) witnessing the destruction that occurred at the hands of Zod (Michael Shannon) in Metropolis, as he tries to save some people surrounding Wayne Financial. Move forward to modern day, 18 months later, where Batman is cleaning-up trouble in Gotham and Superman’s (Henry Cavill) intentions are being questioned by the public in chaotic Metropolis after its destruction. Along the lines, we get introduced to our villain, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) and his obsession with taking down the Man of Steel and the requisite kryptonite to do so. Tensions flare, Senator Finch (Holly Hunter) gets in the way of Lex‘s mission, leading him to the unthinkable, creating Doomsday. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) team-up to take down Doomsday, but the question remains, how do you kill a kryptonian monster?

The performances in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice are most surprising. The Internet went to great lengths criticizing Ben Affleck as Batman, but I must say he exceeds all expectations, dare I say, right up there with Christian Bale and Michael Keaton. Cavill also is more than capable as Superman/Clark Kent, disappearing more into the role than in Man of Steel. Gadot who was completely is underutilized, proves to be a fantastic Wonder Woman who I cannot wait to see in her titular Film based on what we see here. The biggest surprise however comes  from Jesse Eisenberg as  villainous Lex Luthor. His younger, psychotic Joker-like turn has him believable in his quest for   havoc.

Plot holes in the Movie are impossible to miss, leaving it perhaps a bit too much it to Fans to theorize answers. Myself a huge Fan of the DC Comicverse, found it inexcusable that Lex somehow is cognizant of the civilian identities of both Batman and Superman … without any explanation as to how. This along with other spoiler plot devices may somehow disagree with the truest of Franchise Fans.  BvS succeeds in laying a foundation for the future  Justice League and others Films in the Comicverse, but we’re hoping for stronger execution next time out.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE  Friday March 25, 2016.