Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice Review

Justin and I saw Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 28, 2016! I'm a DC guy and I'm finally glad more focus is being put on the Justice League. Let me just say: This is my new favorite comic book movie. The only comic book movies I like as much are Kick-Ass, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Dark Knight, and Man of Steel. This was an incredible introduction into the beginning of the Justice League while also looking at real world political issues as well as motifs within the comic book genre.

This movie really does an amazing job exploring the positives and the negatives of Superman. I think Superman is by far the focus of this movie. The whole mythology of Superman and the question of is he good or evil is done so well. We look at how Superman has created so much destruction, but on the other hand this destruction was done to save humanity. I think looking at the Superman vs. Zod battle from Bruce Wayne's vantage point was interesting. You see how people were suffering while Superman was fighting to help the people. Henry Cavill was excellent here.  I think he is the best Superman since Christopher Reeve. His performance should be considered one of the best from any comic book movie. You feel like you're watching Superman come to life from the comics before your eyes. His relationship with Lois Lane, his mother, and his dealings with Perry White at the Daily Planetshow his humanity. When he is in battle, we see the God come forth. Superman is the personification of God vs. Man. It's really intriguing to see.

I think Ben Affleck did a great job under the cape & cowl of Batman. He played a great Bruce Wayne, and definitely brought a grittier edge to Batman. His issues with Superman hinge back to what happened to Wayne Enterprises in Man of Steel. His mission initially is to bring down Superman, but as events unfold with people like Lex Luthor (played maniacally well by Jesse Eisenberg-who basically pulls the puppet strings of Batman, Superman, & even Washington D.C. as well as introducing the important element of kryptonium that will end up being such a major part of the movie), he realizes Superman may not be the devil some paint him out to be. In my opinion, the movie showed how similar Batman & Superman are in many ways. It showed how both can create so much damage, but at the same time both believe they are making the necessary sacrifices for the greater good.  I also think that even though Batman is a mortal man, I believe the fear he induces on his enemies make him feel he is a god, which also ties in the similarities between them.

The battle scenes in this movie are excellent. They were so exciting and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. They did an excellent job making it a fair fight between Batman & Superman. It was one an epic encounter for sure. Both Batman & Superman had their moments to shine in the huge clash between them.  Batman vs. Superman is such a gritty fight.The force and power in each punch is felt by the audience. God vs. Man was on full display in physical form & it was amazing to watch. The action amplifies under the thumb of Lex Luthor introducing the element of science into the mix. What happens from here is the most epic battle sequences I've ever seen: The DC Trinity (Wonder Woman, Superman, & Batman vs. Doomsday). Seeing the DC Trinity together for the first time on screen brought tears to my eyes, and I think Gal Gadot is awesome as Wonder Woman. Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL did a phenomenal job on the music as well-capturing the mood and tone of each scene to match with the amazing visuals on screen.

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice had me smiling, crying, cheering, and enjoying every second of the movie-a definite emotional rollercoaster. It's a realistic, darker movie that does an amazing job exploring the most recognizable faces in comic book history. It's a movie that does an amazing job in terms of performances (particularly Henry Cavill & Ben Affleck), exploring real world issues through the lens of DC Comics, studying the Superman character, exploring the vengeance of Bruce Wayne, showcasing intense battle scenes that amplify the gritty nature of the movie, as well as phenomenal musical scores & a movie that truly shows how the more adult oriented themes of DC Comics are why I enjoy the comic book genre. All of these elements definitely receive a 5/5 from me. I know many critics disagree with me, but I really think this movie is well done and should be seen by everybody that appreciates comic books, the mythology of superheroes, & a look at the world around us through a different lens.