I am in no way a comic book aficionado. Truthfully, my knowledge of comics comes from TV shows, movies, and the nerd in me that loves researching and will spend hours online learning about a particular superhero. With the exception of some Black History and Beetle Bailey’s comics as a child, I have always had a bit of difficulty getting into the habit of reading comic books. I’ve got the first 5 issues of the now defunct “Fearless Defenders,” sitting on a bookshelf…unread.
My lack of direct comic book knowledge is probably why I don’t find myself wanting to march on Washington due to the release of the new Batman vs. Superman movie directed by Zack Snyder. All across Nerdland collective shits are being lost due to perceived awfulness of the flick. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only person who liked the movie. Hell, I even paid to watch it…twice. Full price at that!
If you haven’t seen the movie…SPOILERS (possibly).
Things I Liked
Wonder Woman-without a doubt Wonder Woman jumping into battle was the best part. It was a classic “I am here to save you,” introduction. There was even some cheering in the audience. A lot of the nerd folk on the Internets were complaining about the actress, Gal Godot, not being big enough to represent the Amazonian princess.
Wonder Woman image courtesy of Cinema Blend
It made me wonder if they had ever watched the Wonder Woman TV show starring Linda Carter or if they only knew of WW from the more recent comics. If you look at Linda Carter and the early versions of WW, she wasn’t some huge hulking 7 foot tall woman.
Superman- Henry Cavill was pleasant on the eyes as usual. When I first saw Man of Steel I had problems concentrating, because Cavill is a hot guy with that strong jaw and muscular body without appearing like some steroid freak.
Justice League. There was a brief glimpse of the coming Justice League when Wonder Woman/Diane Prince clicks on the links in the email Bruce Wayne sent. It was cool to finally see Aquaman in action even if it was only for a few seconds.
Batfleck-Ben Affleck was surprisingly convincing as Bruce Wayne. He was suave and debonair without even trying. However, as Batman, it just seemed like Matt Damon’s buddy dressed in weird, bulky metal suit. I am only vaguely familiar with this version of Batman and I’m not a fan.
Things I Didn’t Care For
Dream sequence-Midway through, Bruce Wayne has dream…within a dream. The first time I saw the movie I didn’t even realize it was The Flash in the second dream/vision. I know the movie is fantasy, but this felt out of place; almost as if it was filler. Maybe I just hate dream sequences.
If you’re like me and went into the movie thinking it was a sequel to 2013’s Man of Steel prepare to be disappointed. Supes got duped. Batman was clearly the star of the movie. It’s like the X-men movies. They aren’t really movies about the X-Men. They’re movies starring Wolverine and he brings some other people to help him fight the big bad.
Batman vs. Superman promo courtesy of Fandango
Speaking of Batsy, can we get a moratorium on all things Batman for a few years? Wasn’t there just a Batman movie in 2012. Do we really need to relive Bruce Wayne’s parents getting gunned again? I’m not a Batman hater; I get he is DC’s money maker. However, other characters won’t get to prove their box office might if they never get a chance on the big screen. Seriously, there are other characters! COUGHCOUGHhawkgirlCOUGHCOUGH.
My biggest dislike: lack of after movie end scene. When it comes to super hero movies, after credit scenes are damn near necessary. They’re the delicious extra bite of dessert you just have to have when you swear you can’t handle anymore food. These extra scenes top off a flick and get the audience all tingly for more. Hopefully the extended Blue Ray/DVD release will correct this error. It doesn’t even need to be super big. Maybe Superman’s fist punching through his coffin or an oil rig in the ocean with Aquaman glaring from below the water as the rig pollutes the water. I’ll take Cyborg downloading anti-virus software. Hell, give us something!
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. There was enough Wonder Woman to get me excited for her feature length film in 2017. I wish there was more Superman; poor guy got cheated.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
