Movie Reviews

[stubbietubbie]

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Ultimate Edition)

 

Having never seen the theatrical cut at the cinema, I can only go on Wikipedia with the understanding it includes extra and extended scenes that develop and flow the plot more properly. However, during viewing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice I still felt an excess that editing extra content could never really correct, to paraphrase Mystery Science Theater 3000, this film makes Shoah look like a two-reeler. It's long, overwrought, and for the first time, I've appreciated the criticism of big-budget films being overlong to justify their cost to the audience. Quantity does not equal quality, especially here.

 

It presents a dense - sometimes interesting case, Bruce Wayne aka Batman (Ben Affleck, who does a good job despite the sooky mood his character has) witnesses the human tragedies of Superman aka Clark Kent (Henry Cavill, the best - and easily most ripped Superman - since Christopher Reeve) during his climactic battle observed at the end of Man of Steel. This driving force leads to extended investigation which in turn attracts the same from Daily Planet-styled Kent, as Wayne's alter ego wrecks hard justice across the way in Supe's territory, and both feel threatened enough by the other to obverse a shoot first, ask questions later attitude towards one another. Whatever happened to talking things out? Oh yeah, we'd have no film if this didn't happen until the last moment.

 

But the writers attempt to circumnavigate this with yet another flashback into Wayne's traumatic past, just in case a couple of those who would even bother watching this never knew why he wears the mask. This provides the essential missing link to occur between the two warring heroes and unite against a greater foe and his even greater creation. This is the classic Superman villain of Lex Luthor, played to ultra-quirkiness by Jesse Eisenberg (MARK ZUCKERBERG) whose plotting knows no bounds, spinning a dense web that'll somehow, against all rationale forces the aforementioned Versus mode, accommodating a pub argument over "who would win?" to excite the fanboys and forget the fact that the whole plot and its twists were revealed in the trailers months and months prior, making any tension defunct and the introduction of Wonder Woman disappointing.

 

And it really is a disappointment, since Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot looking stunning and empowered by the fact that she's never required to wear a bra) provides the most intrigue of any character here (besides why Jeremy Iron's Afred is so bloody grumpy), and will hopefully be better served in her forthcoming standalone film. Here she's like an omnipresent spy, only showing her cards (and immense power) at the very end. I look forward to how her story grows in future films. Sadly I cannot say the same for the other female lead in BvS, Lois Lane. Played as well as possible by Amy Adams (marry me), we get a few fickle examples of her ability to stand on her own two feet in a man's world ("They did not tell me the interview was with a lady." "I'm not a lady, I'm a journalist.") but over and over she just ends up a hapless victim for Superman to save and kiss better. Waste.

 

In terms of visual spectacle, there's plenty on offer, even if it's the usual overblown CGI extravagance and large-scale destruction we've been suffering since the first Independence Day film, the difference here is an eye for cinematic detail from Director Zack Snyder, and the superhuman excesses on the motions of Superman and his Kryptonian roots. Massive spaceships, alien beings, and their laser eyes all slice through puny human structures with the greatest of ease, bodies are thrown hundreds of metres without consequence, and while we've seen similar stuff before, the pointed fact of there being no surface damage on these creatures emphasises how impervious they really are on this planet; until someone ruins the fun and breaks out the Kryptonite.

 

Another driving force is the religious angle and where Superman falls into it. Many revere him, and in his short time has procured a following that'd make some religions that've been around for centuries quiver in fear, and this is what generates suspicion and distrust. The American government inexplicably becomes involved, claiming weak issues against Superman on the basis of religion and contradictory statements led by an especially hick Holly Hunter as Senator Finch, who instigates a lot of the sideline drama around Superman's intentions for humanity in what ultimately comes for nought. Pah. This had potential but even the writers struggled to complete this aspect satisfactorily, instead cutting it short when the moment felt convenient.

 

Can't say this is a proper and just assessment of the film, but rather me venting my thoughts before I forget them. It's not a horrible film, but damn it's needlessly long if it wasn't being used to set the upcoming DC Universe films aping the successes of Marvel in this department. That said, the reference to those new characters is super fleeting, and could've been easily cut without major loss. Those scenes could've just as effectively been transplanted into separate films with the right editing; resulting in no harm to the overall product and cutting this film down by the same amount it was extended by for the so-called Ultimate Edition.

 

And now for the tl;dr's: 6.5/10.

Edited 03/07/16 10:58 AM by stubbietubbie

[OZYWALKER]

Hardcore Henry 11/10 for a mega action ultra crazy movie.

If you've got a very headset this would be mental, all in first person.
Basically a mix of cod/cod zombies and a bit of crysis style FPS but as a movie.

[Pixy Angel]

Demolition - 8/10 even one that the wife/girlfriend would like people.

 

 

[Ralph Wiggum]

Central Intelligence 9.75/10 on the silly funny/no thought required scale. Would watch again.

[JETURBO]

Was a good laugh that one luke 

 

the rock is a funny mofo 

[Ralph Wiggum]

Did you watch the outakes? I lost my shit at the stupid nickname bit.

[JETURBO]

Yeh I cracked it when they were interviewing each other as each other hahahaha 

 

and unicorns 4TW 

[.Stripes.]

I was sceptical from the trailer and adds for Central Intelligence, thought it might be sh*t. Sounds like I might have to give it a watch though.

[bloodycrashboy]

On 29/06/2016 at 2:33 PM, Pixy Angel said:

Eye in the Sky - 6.5/10 to much round table talking.

 

 

basically about yellow bellied bureaucrats and some cowardly military trying to pass the buck rather than do the job at hand.

my score, 2 out of 10 

[stubbietubbie]

Yeah, movies!

Edited 18/07/16 08:14 PM by stubbietubbie