Batman Vs Superman Review

One of our customers (Nic Carter) has written an extensive spoilers free review of Batman Vs Superman for your pleasure and we have decided to share it with you. First, a disclaimer the views expressed here are not necessarily reflective of Epikos or its employees. That being said we are appreciative of the opinions expressed below and encourage a healthy dialogue about the topic. Disagree? Send us your review, we'll look it over and post it to keep the conversation going.

-Colin

Why do we feel the need to constantly compare these movies to the comics? Because the movies aren't the origin of these stories. They are, however, a different form of them. A different adaptation. So then, why aren't they treated as such? Why are they expected to do everything the exact same way as their predecessors? Especially when the predecessors themselves vary? Aren't there many different Batman stories? Many different incarnations and versions of Batman? Can the same be said for Superman? That answer to that is simple; yes. So then, I ask again why are these movies not treated as a different form? That is a question that I can't quite nail down the answer to. The most popular answer that I've come across is that the previous stories were all in written comic form. Now they are being told in moving live action. People, fans, want to see their favorite stories played out on the screen in front of them. They want to see how they would look in moving form. They want to see every detail and event unfold on screen just like they had on page. Is that wrong? No. Is it unfair? In a sense it is. It is unfair to the directors, writers, and actors of these projects. It handicaps their creativity. It straps a muzzle on them and commands them to only reenact not to create. It does not allow them to add, subtract, or change with the same freedom that new writers of comic series are allowed to do. Where is the fun in that? This is not a view I have always had. It is, in fact, a new thought that revealed itself to me as I was watching Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. This is not the Batman I know. This is not the Superman I know. This is not the Lex Luthor that I know. They aren't exactly what their source material was. They are different. Good. To that I say bravo Snyder, bravo Goyer, bravo Terrio, and bravo to all involved in the creative process of this film. Bravo for doing something different. Bravo for not being afraid to create another version of these beloved characters and of these beloved stories. Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice is DC comics start to their very own expanded universe. It's about time they try to catch up to Marvel. DC is trying to speed the process up so they can do just that. Catch up. That was bound to be a dangerous venture. One that wouldn't be met with unanimous praise and it hasn't been. One aspect of this film that doesn't work in it's favor is that it doesn't exactly cater to those that aren't in the know about these characters and this universe. Characters are introduced and the film expects the audience to know who they are. This isn't exactly a film that was made for the unaware masses. It is in fact a film that was made for the fans of these comics. It is after all a comic book film. This is how it should be. It doesn't have to nor does it need to cater to everyone. This has it's own demographic that will come out in droves to see it. The previous comic book adaptations have already proven that. Why not give those fans something a bit new, something a bit different? That's why I went, that's what I got, and I'm happy about it. This Batman is a man torn by grief. Wrecked and haunted by his tragic past. That is not something new. That is simply Bruce Wayne. That is essential. However this Batman knows that it takes extreme measures to do what needs to be done. To ensure that justice is met. This Batman truly is a vigilante. He has been worn down year after year fighting crime. Detaining the villains of Gotham. This has taken a toll on him. He isn't as careful as he used to be. The endgame is still the same for him, however, the path he takes is a bit more drastic now. More violent and more reckless. Though he, above all, still wants what is best for society. He wants what is best for the world and for humanity. He wants to stop as much evil as he can. He wants to bring an end to as much pain as he can. He wants to be a good person and do the right thing, but he also understands that the path to the right thing isn't always an appealing one. It certainly isn't an easy one. But this is the life he has chosen. The mantle he has taken up as the Batman. To protect people. To keep the world as safe as he can. If something or someone can be perceived as a threat then it must be assessed and if action beyond that needs to be taken he is the man that will do it. He is The Dark Knight. He is the Caped Crusader. He is the Batman. Superman is an alien being living on a planet that is not his own. He lives on a planet that is in constant turmoil where people are in constant danger. He feels within himself that it is his duty to protect this world. To help these other beings that are alien to himself as much as he can. He is capable of feats that no being from this world is capable of. He is in a sense God-like to these people. He does not desire to be worshiped or praised. He simply wants to do what is right. He wants to help. He has no ulterior motive. He has no grand plan. His world is gone. His way of life has been eradicated. He was hunted by his own and he has been hated by this new world he inhabits. Some see him as a beacon of hope. As a guardian watching over them. Some see him as a threat and a menace to this planet and to their way of life. Yet he still continues to try to be righteous. To try and be a means of safety. This is not who he is. It is who he has become. He is Superman. Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor is a billionaire sociopath. A man who is obsessed with power but holds not nearly as much as he wants. This eats away at him. Driving him deeper and deeper into a pit gnawing away at his psyche. He sees Superman as a symbol of ultimate power. A symbol that those in need look up to. Something to rest their worries on and believe in. He sees Superman as a chance to prove to himself and to the world that Lex Luthor is indeed a man of power. A man worthy of praise. He is so driven by his desire to defeat and dethrone this extraordinary being that it consumes him. This thought chips away at his sanity. He will break this symbol. He will defeat this "Superman" and he will finally be seen as the force of power that he is. He is the mighty Lex Luthor. In a war there is collateral damage. There is mayhem. There is destruction. There is death. There are casualties. Make no mistake this is a war. Zod came to Earth and brought a war down upon Superman. Mayhem, destruction, and death came with along with him. This complaint of too much damage is lost on me. Would there not be drastic destruction if two beings of their power collided? There would be. A being of Superman's enormous force and power fighting, at war with another being of equal or greater magnitude would spell absolute carnage for any surrounding area or unfortunate bystander. Is it reckless? You bet it is, but so are these villains that are threatening Superman and this planet. Could Superman avoid this? Maybe, but certainly not all of it. Is he experienced in this kind of a battle? In this kind of a war? In this story no he is not. This complaint doesn't fly with me. At best it is nitpicking and at worst it is biased disdain. When a superhero fights another superhero or a super villain it is a fight of epic proportions. There will be an unreal amount of damage done. This is the nature of such a conflict. This is why a Justice League must be formed. To minimize these kinds of events and stop these threats. Zack Snyder brought his balls to the wall hyper active style to the DC comics universe in Man Of Steel. He expanded upon and cranked that up in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. He is a director that relishes in style. He slows down the action for a cool posture-esque shot then speeds it right back up for a glorious explosion. This is a man that was born to make blockbuster action movies. He is a director whose films either work for you or they don't. Not necessarily tailor made for comic book films. His movies are always going to be divisive because of the style in which he chooses to lay out there. You're either all in for his madness or you roll your eyes as another building collapses. He is excessive and all flash. This works for me. This is a welcomed voice in this universe. This is something I can get on board with. Call me a fanboy if you wish. I will not refute the charge. It's not a bad thing for me. It just means my predisposition is to enjoy these movies and enjoy this one I did. You have my attention DC. Now, let's see more of Wonder Woman. 9/10

by Nicholas Lawrence Carter