“Batman v Superman” stirs up controversy

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” was one of the most anticipated films of 2016. The idea of DC’s two most popular heroes clashing had fans in an uproar. However, since the release of the film, many critics and fans have been bashing this movie.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" hit theaters March 2016. Photo from the "Batman v Superman" Twitter.
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” hit theaters March 2016. Photo from the “Batman v Superman” Twitter.

Critics, in particular, have been the most negative. The critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave this film a total of 29 percent, Metacentric gave the film a 44% and many more have given it a very negative or mixed reaction It’s time to see where the controversy and positivity of this movie comes from.

Of all the reviewers that have given an outtake on this movie, critics on Rotten Tomatoes have been the harshest, the most negative, and the most unforgiving.

Reviewer Ben Sin was surprised at the film hoping for a success, “It’s shockingly joyless and overlong, with two iconic crime fighters presented as angry, cranky, easily manipulated men in tights.”

Sin brings up a good point because most reviewers have said the same thing that “Batman v Superman” is really gritty and doesn’t have jokes to help lighten the tone. Something else that is true is that critics and fans have been highly controversial on the significance of the fight between the two iconic heroes because Lex Luthor manipulates the two with ease and by doing that takes away the significance of the fight.

Batman and Superman battle. Photo from the "Batman v Superman" Twitter.
Batman and Superman battle. Photo from the “Batman v Superman” Twitter.

Fausto Ponce left a similar review as well, “A beautiful shell with nothing inside.”

A film based on “Batman V. Superman” on paper sounds like one of the greatest films to be made a reality. Unfortunately, because of this film’s many flaws, it’s hard for people to think of this film as a movie to be remembered for eternity.

With Rotten Tomatoes many negative reviews, there were positives as well.

“You take the good. You take the bad. You take them both and there you have a Zack Snyder film. It’s par for the course for anyone who’s followed his films. A little pleasantry and a little frustration mixed together,” said Wesley Lovell.

Lovell has one of the better takes on this movie because it acknowledges the faults of this movie and the positives. The reason that this movie isn’t critically acclaimed is because there are too many flaws and not enough positives. This means there are people who will love it and those who loathe and bash it endlessly.

Metacentric gave a total of 44% for this flick and has its own perspective on how this film has positives while still being flawed. Rene Rodriguez said something that most people point to as a flaw, “This huge, unwielding movie is busy and overcrowded.”

The movie stars Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Ben Affleck as Batman. Photo from the "Batman v Superman" Twitter.
The movie stars Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Ben Affleck as Batman. Photo from the “Batman v Superman” Twitter.

A valid point has been made about the movie having too many subplots that take away from the main plot: Lois Lane, Doomsday, dream sequences, and focusing too hard on making hints of future sequels.Having a movie focused on Batman and Superman’s ideologies of how crime fighting is powerful enough to fill a movie, while having subplots is can work having too many lead to distracting from the main plot.

Metacentric did have a more positive note on the casting in this film particularly Ben Affleck, Gad Gadot and Jeremy Irons. While Ben Affleck’s version of Batman kills people. One scene in the movie actually has Batman running the Batmobile over people. His killing ways led to controversy, but Affleck’s overall portrayal of Batman and Bruce Wayne has been relatively well received. It was noted by critics and fans as the best part of the film, with Jeremy Irons being a great version of Alfred to guide the ever brooding Batman. Finally, Gad Gadot’s portrayal as Wonder Woman and Diana Prince has also been well received and noted as a scene-stealer, especially in her scenes with Affleck.

However, not all of the casting of this film has been acclaimed, particularly Jesse Eisenburg as Lex Luthor. He has been perceived very poorly because he is different from the cold, calculating and serious portrayal in both the comics, cartoons and TV shows.

Now it’s time to get a look at how a regular fan views this movie; John Murphy of Seton Hill University gave this movie a 6/10. He is very knowledgeable on the comic book world. John has read many Batman and Superman comics, watched animated series of both characters, and he genuinely enjoyed this movie but said that this movie had tons of flaws.

Batman and Superman are important faces in comics. Photo from the houseofgeekery.com
Batman and Superman are important faces in comics. Photo from the houseofgeekery.com

Like most, he agreed that Ben Affleck was fantastic as Batman except for two things, “Batman is straight up killing people and it isn’t being explained as it should because most people know Batman has a no kill rule and this movie didn’t explain why he is going over the edge in this movie, he has killed before in the comics but the reasons he’s killing needed more explanation. He is the most terrifying Batman on screen though, which is great!”

He also praised Ben Affleck for portraying a great Bruce Wayne because it was accurate to the source material. He said that Henry Cavil as Superman was a good portrayal as well except he didn’t like that he was also killing people.

John also agreed that Lex Luthor should had been the cold and calculating character he is in the comic books and said, “He reminded me of the Joker instead of Lex.”

John said that he thought the battle between Batman and Superman should have been about their ideologies instead of Lex manipulating them, and that Lois and Doomsday didn’t even need to be in the film. He did say that the actual fight between Batman and Superman was awesome, and the final battle with Wonder Woman was really awesome as well. He also mentioned that he liked all the comic book references.

This information tells this movie has received a lot of backlash, which at this point is an understatement. It’s important to note that despite this film’s many faults, there are positives; mainly Batman, Wonder Woman and Alfred. What’s important to note is that listening to critics isn’t always the best option, what’s important is to make an opinion yourself, rather than listening to what others say. While this film has an extreme mixed reception what matters is to make a decision on your own terms instead of always listening to what reviewers say.

Published By: Laramie Cowan

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