Written By: Dan Geer

This is it. The first time both Superman and Batman share the big screen in a live-action film is finally here. Ever since Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns comic book series first made its way into the hands of tens of thousands of superhero geeks around the world back in 1986, we’ve all wished and hoped for a live-action book-to-film adaptation of Miller’s story. While of course Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is not that story, it still brings us DC’s two most popular comic book heroes together for the first time in a live-action movie that is very much inspired by Miller’s story, and that is something we need to step back, breathe, and be grateful for. Even ten years ago, I would’ve completely denied it as a possibility that we would ever get a film like this. Yet somehow, here we are – and it brought a big smile to my face.

This film has a lot going on, and a lot to set up. Not only does it have to set up a new Batman for this franchise and bring him to a point where he feels he needs to fight Superman, but it also attempts to pave the way for the Justice League films (DC’s answer to Marvel’s Avengers). Thankfully, the majority of the film keeps its focus on the story at hand, which is not only a battle of wits and strength, but also one of ideologies. It is the ideological aspects of this film that are really the most interesting, and that are vital to establish, because somehow we have to actually believe that two “good guys” like Batman and Superman would even consider fighting each other. It is their opposing views that create the reasoning behind the war.

This film makes it work by following up on the big questions that were posed in Man of Steel. If a figure like Superman were real, and really came to earth, how would we accept him? Would we view him as a god? Would we fear him and turn against him? Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman (played admirably by Ben Affleck), asks these very questions after witnessing first hand the battle between General Zod and Superman and the destruction of Metropolis (seen at the end of Man of Steel). Many lives were lost, and Wayne ends up falling into the category of those who fear Superman, wondering how long a man with that kind of power can claim to be good before he “sees himself become the villain,” so to speak – something Wayne has grown all too accustomed to in all his long years living in Gotham, seeing good men become evil. The fact is, if we were actually faced with a “super man” alien life-form coming to earth, fear would really be our first reaction to the event. It’s in our nature.

Batman has spent his entire life devoted to facing his fears and overcoming them, so he feels he must do so again with Superman. Everything he’s witnessed with Superman after the battle at Metropolis does not make the Man of Steel look good at all, really. Sure, Wayne witnesses good things Superman does, but with every one good thing he’s done, it seems it doesn’t make up for the damage he’s caused or the danger he could pose, given how much power he has. The trust is just not there for Wayne, and it must be earned.

The way the film accomplishes this is by bringing in Lex Luthor, played amazingly well by Jesse Eisenberg, who brings a young sense of quirkiness to the character. He’s much different than any Lex Luthor we’ve ever seen before in a film, giving us more of an origin story, and it’s refreshing. His character, of course, has his own agenda of chaos and destruction, and it is the exact catalyst needed to make Batman look past his views on Superman in order to unite against the true villain of this story. It works surprisingly well.

Many have criticized time and time again that Batman fighting Superman is nonsensical, wouldn’t work, wouldn’t ever happen, etc. But when one actually breaks it down after all we’ve witness thus far, understands what makes Batman tick, and can really imagine what it would be like if an alien like Superman were to really come to earth – it is completely plausible that the Dark Knight would not take so well to it all and would try to stop “the alien.” Not only is Batman extremely intelligent and has his wits about him, but there are ways Superman can be weakened (as we all know), and if there’s anything we know about the Caped Crusader, it’s that he’d be smart enough to use that to his advantage – along with a crazy awesome metallic bat-suit with glowing eyes (remeniscent of the suit in Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns).

This movie really has it all, but sometimes a bit too much. The subtitle “Dawn of Justice” really states the biggest flaw of the movie. It really did not need to devote so much time to setting up the future Justice League films. Sure, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman was great, and actually not really cheesy at all like one might think. But she is really an unnecessary addition to this story. Yes, there needs to be some set up for future films for sure, but there was really no need to sprinkle the character throughout the film or to get her involved in the end battle with Doomsday (a creation of Lex Luthor’s in this film).

Writers David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio could’ve easily added Wonder Woman at the end of the film, after the climax with Doomsday, similar to how Marvel hinted at the end of Iron Man that there was an Avengers movie coming. We could then have had subsequent Justice League characters in their own stand-alone films after this, and bring them all together in Justice League. But by devoting more screen time than necessary here to set up those films, the movie feels disjointed and uneven whenever it decides to veer off and focus on Wonder Woman or any of the other Justice League characters besides Batman or Superman. Those side bar aspects of the film really have no bearing on the story being told here.

But this does not ruin the movie, and it is still enjoyable to see that they are indeed making a valiant attempt at finally bringing Justice League to life. When the movie is focused on the Batman v Superman plot, it’s great, and it does stay focused on that story for the most part. Perhaps because of the past struggles DC has had in creating successful comic book movies (outside of Batman films), they felt they needed to get Justice League off the ground sooner than later. In any case, it is good to know it is finally happening.

Batman v Superman is a surprisingly better film than one might expect, and works on so many levels that heavily outweigh whatever doesn’t work. Henry Cavill is still great as Superman, and all the returning actors, including Amy Adams and Lawrence Fishburne, give it their all once again. Jeremy Irons also brings a sense of gravitas to the role of Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and I sincerely hope we get more of his character in the future.

Ben Affleck is a better Batman than you’d ever expect, never trying to copy Christian Bale, Michael Keaton or, thankfully, any other actors’ take on the comic book vigilante. He’s no joke here as Batman, for sure, and in this film he’s actually not afraid to use a weapon when necessary to take a life if he thinks he has good reason to justify his actions. Just imagine what a train wreck this film would be to have Batman yelling out “No Guns! No Killing!” when trying to battle Superman (or Doomsday, for that matter). However, I would’ve liked it if he were a bit more light-hearted and fun as Bruce Wayne. There’s just way too much seriousness going on in the film in general, with very few light-hearted moments at all, so it would’ve been helpful to see Wayne enjoying himself somewhat when he’s not Batman. “Why so serious?”

Hopefully the subsequent stand-alone movies like Wonder Woman and Aquaman, as well as the Justice League films bring a bit more humor in and not take this world so seriously. The lack of humor is one of the few flaws of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While it is great that these films are dark, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit more light to go with them. But it is still fun nonetheless because of how unique a comic book movie it is, and even though it feels a bit uneven trying to introduce a bit too much too soon, it never ceased to make my face smile and my jaw drop when the film focuses on Batman or Superman. That is all I could ever really ask for out of this movie.

Well, that, and a bit more fighting between the two main characters. Just wasn’t enough. But I guess that’s what the 3-hour R-rated Director’s Cut will make up for…

Rating: (out of four)