4. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Why I Like It (Daniel Cohen): I’m going to be as bitter and irritating as possible in my praise for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This is one of the most unfairly criticized movies in recent memory. Look, if you don’t like the film, fine. To each his own. Every time I watch this movie, I get increasingly angry at the perception that it’s a bad movie. I’m pissed at the inevitable Razzies it will be nominated for. I’m annoyed that it’s the butt of many jokes. Zack Snyder put his heart and soul into this film. It’s all there on the screen. To completely and utterly trash this film because it wasn’t the Batman/Superman movie you wanted, or because the hype was too much, or any other asinine comic book notions that didn’t jive with you in regards to these characters, hopefully one day you can get over it. Again, like what you want. Criticize what you want. I’m just pissed because everybody made up their minds before they saw this movie. It never had a chance.
Does the movie have issues? Of course. Some of the editing is spotty. It can drag. It forces the Justice League-isms. The climax is too CGI. There are legit movie problems to be sure. The following are not legit movie criticisms: Batman would never kill. Superman would never make those choices. This isn’t what I wanted from Lex Luthor. It’s too dark. Okay, let’s hit on that first.
People are so convinced this is the most depressing and gloomy film ever made. The characters are completely cynical and have no hope for humanity. This is the complaint that really, really pisses me off. You’re completely missing the point. You are so blinded by the idea that this isn’t a Marvel movie. The ending is more inspirational than any Marvel movie could ever dream of being because the two main characters went through hell to get there. It’s not contrived. You need to actually pay attention.
Everyone is so quick to get their snarky little “Martha” joke in, that they fail to grasp why it works. It’s a specific reason why Batman doesn’t kill Superman. He realizes right there that Superman is actually a man. He has a mother. The idea that Batman tosses away the spear restores Superman’s faith in mankind. In turn, when Superman sacrifices himself to kill Doomsday, it restores Batman’s faith in man. “Men are still good.” “I’ve failed him in life. I won’t fail him in death.” That doesn’t sound dark, gloomy and cynical to me. While at odds with each other the whole movie, they end up inspiring one another in the end. Sorry it doesn’t have Tony Stark one-liners though.
I freely admit I’m being a total jackass when I defend this movie. It’s only because of how unfair I feel many of the criticisms are. Give it another chance. Really sit down and watch it. Get over the fact that it’s not a Marvel movie. Get over the fact that it’s not the Batman/Superman characterizations you wanted. Give it a real, honest chance.
Favorite Scene: “Martha”
Favorite Performance: Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor)
-It’s very easy to go with Ben Affleck, but Eisenberg’s role was the hardest. This is a very calculated and layered villain. Unlike a Marvel movie, the filmmakers actually dig deep and flesh out who this guy is. The speech at the fundraiser. The jar of piss. Those are specific, defined character traits. Sorry it’s not as good as Baron Zemo who sits on a chair and listens to a voice mail.
Best Line: “I bet your parents taught you that you mean something. That you’re here for a reason. My parents taught me a different lesson, dying in the gutter for no reason at all. They taught me the world only makes sense if you force it to.” -Batman
-I know I just defended this movie for being more inspirational than it gets credit for, yet here I am picking the most cynical line in the entire film. Nevertheless, that is a harsh, gut-wrenching line of dialogue.
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