Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

There are many problems with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, beyond that unruly title. The fatal flaw of the film is one that I don't think the filmmakers even considered: the lack of a rooting interest.

I don't know these guys. These characters have been rebooted and revisited so much that my connection with them if flimsy at best. Then some "modern" touches have been added. For example, Batman sure seems awfully comfortable with guns. That seems odd given the lore of a Batman who hated guns after witnessing his parents being shot and killed.

The problem started with Man of Steel. It took me awhile to figure out why I was underwhelmed by that film. It isn't just that Henry Cavill isn't the actor Christopher Reeve was, but that's part of it. Reeve always seemed to be having fun. Cavill seems miserable. So I didn't have the fun of the Reeve Superman movies when I saw Man of Steel.

I sure don't know this Batman. Ben Affleck does was he can, but who is this guy? He's older, there are hints at his past (supposedly Robin was killed in the line of duty), but DC Comics was in such a rush to get its superheroes interacting that they forgot to define him. I guess we are just supposed to assume from past knowledge.

Then the films to get these two hating each other, and it just doesn't ring true. Ultimately, these characters have too much in common, with goals that are too similar, that the battle between them simply doesn't make sense.

A couple more quick points, because honestly I don't want this to get too long. First, this film is too dark. I don't mean in tone. I mean every fight scene and battles seem to take place at night. The action is not very easy to follow because of this.

Second, did anyone at DC Comics see Watchman? Why did they think that film's director, Zack Snyder, could handle this? He botched that adaption, and it is not surprise he can't handle this film. I'm not even going to start with his Sucker Punch, my vote for the worst film of the century to date.

By jumping into the fray so quickly, so rushed, and so haphazardly, DC is inviting comparisons to Marvel. Marvel has taken the time to define its characters well, and remembers to be fun. This film has ill-defined characters, and is gloomy. I look forward to the next Avengers movie. I have little interest in the Justice League. In its rush to compete with Marvel, DC has only proved what a good job Marvel has done.

Grade: D+