Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

 Picture by www.comingsoon.net

Director: Zack Snyder

Writers: Chris Terrio, David Goyer, Batman created by Bob Kane & Bill Finger. Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster.

Cast: Ben Affleck (Bruce Wayne / Batman), Henry Cavill (Clark Kent / Superman), Amy Adams (Lois), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White), Jermy Irons (Alfred), Holly Hunter (Senator Finch), Gal Gadot (Diana Prince / Wonder Woman), Scoot McNairy (Wallace Keefe), Callan Mulvey (Anatoli Knyazev), Tao Okamoto (Mercy Graves), Brandon Spink (Young Bruce Wayne), Lauren Cohan (Martha Wayne), Michael Shannon (Zod), Michael Cassidy (Jimmy Olsen), Harry Lennix (Swanwick), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent), Anderson Cooper (Himself), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Ezra Miller (Flash), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Joe Morton (Silas), and Jeffery Dean Morgan as Thomas Wayne.

Going to a blockbuster film can be a bit much, and what i mean about that is pure, simple experience; Movie magic. Going out to the movies can be expensive, it empties your pocket book fast if your not careful. So what is the best way to save money before you end up spending to much at the theater. The number one thing to remember is that, you really do not have to spend that big buck. Hungry, get something to eat before your venture to that big movie, secondly and probably the most important; Check out earlier movies before that spike in the evening, it will save your pocket book. If dinner and a movie is your thing, watch the film first then simply go out to eat at your favorite place, i know these things can be hard but in the end you'll have more in your pocket. Sometimes going to the movie late at night is an experience, but if you do go, even without eating or drinking the theaters convenient choices, like soda or popcorn, buy the bundle or deal, and it wont be as bad. Still think going earlier saves you so much, but if your arm is in the twisting position,and left with no choice, go with what i just suggested, and hopefully your pocket book will have a bit more change in it.

Spoilers! Spoilers! Spoilers! Don't read on or continue if you haven't seen the film. **************
*************Spoilers here******Continue at your own risk***************



The film begins with a bang, the action is in Metropolis, two aliens battle in the sky, one General Zod (Michael Shannon) the other Superman (Henry Cavill). A ship that been positioned to terraform the planets resources. Meanwhile Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) drives at high speeds to avoid debris that is falling because of the two Kryptonians fighting above, everything is being destroyed as Bruce continues forward. The explosions,buildings fall, the music of Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL kicks in, your heart races with the music moving with the scene, every action, movements, the music falls in place. The sheer dynamic of the opening sequence draws you in, it sets the stage for the film. The sequence hits you pretty hard, you feel what Bruce feels, everything through the eyes of Bruce Wayne, his experience. The people trying to escape the chaos, maybe it's the music but the opening sequence and delivery hit me hard.
Man of Steel was the introduction to Superman, while in Dawn of Justice, people really try hard to escape the fact that the man from the planet Krypton is virtually impervious to anything. The story, takes you to different places, 18 months later the battle between Superman (Henry Cavill) and Zod (Michael Shannon) have caused destruction, but most of all the people have changed their opinion of Superman, his actions are the cause for either hate or love. The two sides fight for  or against him. The Government gets involved, and difficult choices are made. Senator Finch (Holly Hunter) the lead against Superman's actions. God or man, alien or devil, the alien from the planet Krypton is put on trial, humans take the lead, and what they think is right, goes so very wrong.

Hero films are very difficult to make, because of the stories of each hero and the set up, which can cause many problems. The amount of heroes and or villains you have in your film, is the cause of those problems, but what if they get it right? Dawn of Justice was better than lets say, Avengers: Age of Ultron, because it balanced the characters well, Cyborg (Ray Fisher), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Flash (Ezra Miller), Silas (Joe Morton), all were treated carefully they were introduced in a quick, intelligent way, the story continued, the other characters were there, but it didn't hold the speed of the film. The scenes became almost an explanation of what is Metahumans.  The characters were given a chance to shine, it was brief, the story continued, the flow of the story did not have a multitude of events going on in one sequence. The main difference between the Avengers and Dawn of Justice is simple Avengers Age of Ultron, had to many heroes, Josh Whedon even went on the record in saying that he had to cut some scenes because of studio pressure. Why? because of the overwhelming hero sequences. Dawn of Justice's main focus was the two main iconic heroes, Batman and Superman, the other heroes were there as a backdrop, a pretty background to your wallpaper. They did not disturb the flow of the action and the film. The action flowed, it connected with the first film, Man of Steel, not a sequel but it conveyed that even with many heroes, when actual sequences are done right, something happens, bigger than the iconic Superman and Batman. The focus slowly turns to a new stage, the beginning of the Justice League. The film did this well, while the Avengers age of Ultron was still a good film, but was lost in some of those character sequences that should've been condensed, but it slowed the film down. Don't get me wrong, i love Age of Ultron, and I'm a superhero junkie. Dawn of Justice was balanced better than the Marvel blockbuster.

Batman: we as fans know the origin of the cape crusader, so i will not go into it. The only thing i will go into is who played Martha Wayne (Lauren Cohan), if you love the Walking Dead, then you know who Maggie is. And Jeffery Dean Morgan who played Thomas Wayne. OK so lets dive right into it; Ben Affleck did a wonderful job as Batman, his performance was so good i almost liked him better than Christian Bale, and that's saying a lot. Affleck did well as Bruce Wayne's Billionaire look, he pulled off the player status. The main difference between Affleck and Bale is simple, Bale had more time with the character. But, Affleck's presence with the character, made it memorable. The performance was right on, both actors did well, Bale in his performance, and Affleck as the new Batman. So let me get something out of the way, Batman's killing in Dawn of Justice. The film makers once again used an iconic character and made him kill. Batman would never do that, but i would only assume that the killers he had to deal with throughout the film, and the hired gunman, left him no choice. Not a real issue here, but one i had to address a bit. The reasoning is established, either he takes them down or they continue to fight in a war, that will not change. These hired mercenaries did not care for anyone but, number one. Batman knew that, his choices were limited. Let me go into Batman's toys, which were cool, all the gadgets he used were really cool, it reminded me of the Batman video game. The next is the Batmobile, not only was it a tank, it kicked all kind of butt. The scenes with his toys was on target. And lastly, Alfred (Jeremy Irons) probably in the top three of all the Alfred actors, Irons nailed it. The scenes with him in it made the Batman sequences that much better. Clearly he was Batman's backbone, his rock the very foundation that makes him the Cape Crusader. The film captured that element well.

Superman: i loved the way he was used in the film, the hero will fall because of who he is. Superman is basically impervious to anything, how do you fight someone like that. His relationship with Lois (Amy Adams) was done with taste, cute, not taking away from the film, with that being said, Superman (Henry Cavill) was developed well, all the way till the end of the movie. His connection with Batman was awesome, i guess that connection set the film up, which made Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) play his cards in a way we did not see coming, The iconic villain Luthor made his way to get the Man of steel, and by doing that made him a great villain. Luthor shined, it was his presence that modeled Superman, the hate he had for Superman was established well. Superman i thought was being picked on, almost as if humanity was the bully. A new kid going to school, and the older kids want to tease the new kid. I know, i know, it just felt that way. Henry Cavill did a great job making the Superman look lost, without a cause. The effort he put behind Superman really impressed me. The focus was on the humans, Superman was being picked on, because of who he is, but when Doomsday came about, all those folks that stood against the Man of Steel, thought twice. The only thing i really did not like about Superman is how they compare him to Jesus Christ, i know Superman is impervious, but why? compare him. All Superman films have that comparison, at least in Dawn of Justice they came out and said it. Not complaining, but it bothered me a bit, i mean why? go that route. I guess Lex Luthor said it best, explained, and compared him to a god. At least this film didn't sugar coat it, it went on and said it.

Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot did a hell of a job when she first appeared on film, the audience cheered. The fact that Wonder Woman is on the silver screen, a strong female lead in the foundation of what will be the Justice League is amazing in every way. She held Doomsday back while Superman and Bruce went hunting for the Kryptonite spear. Wonder Woman was established well here in Dawn of Justice, she didn't pull you away from the story, it continued, the flow was not altered. Diana Prince was a strong presence, she is smart, strong, a look at what is to come. The way she interacted with the main characters was done well. Wonder Woman didn't make the film, she had pushed it to another level, it was her presence that made you want more.

All in all the film was good, it never bored me, i did not fall asleep, or anything like that. I felt the emotion, the intense beginning, and everything in between was excellent. The story was awesome, it entertained me, and beyond.  Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor) did a wonderful job, his sheer presence as the villain was perfect. His actions were not liked, he was almost a Gene Hackman, and a bit of Kevin Spacey who also played Lex. The way everything connected made the film, and i would urge you to go see it.
The last thing i'm going to mention, to all the critics who saw the film and gave it a bad rating, i know everything about what we do is all opinion, so you guys have your ratings, i have mine. If you love DC or anything to do with the world, this film will not disappoint. Even the CGI creature known as Doomsday was done well. With that being said, imagine DC and the Justice League forming, a very different group of heroes coming together.  The film attempted to bring forth something bigger than Superman and Batman, and it worked. The film to me was really good, it was much better than Age of Ultron. These types of movies are all about you. What you like, and how like it. Go see it for yourself and then decide what's good or bad about it.