“Batman v Superman” is Not Super Powerful

Dark and Gloomy Set up for Future Flicks

Jesse Eisenberg a.k.a. Lex Luthor

Jake Wedge, Contributor
May 15, 2016

Superhero movies make up perhaps the most unique genre of movies made today. Starting with Marvel’s “Iron Man” in 2008, the idea of a cinematic universe was changed. Marvel makes multiple films a year, plans years in advance, and builds universes over a period of time. Zack Snyder’s direction of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” was DC Comics’ attempt at a connected universe of its own.

The plot is guided by Superman (Henry Cavill) as he makes enemies of Batman (Ben Affleck) and Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) by becoming reckless and a threat to humanity. This is mainly a set-up for future movies in the DC Cinematic Universe, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) get involved as well.

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Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor is a particularly fun character.

— Jake Wedge

Unfortunately for Snyder and for DC, very little about this movie works. The focal point, the fight between Batman and Superman, is set up for nearly two hours, and while it is entertaining, the fight only lasts about 10 minutes. And, the resolution is sloppy and contrived.

The tone of “Batman vs Superman” is much darker than it needs to be, or really should be. Everything is bleak, gloomy and dark. The editing is confusing, and many plot points go nowhere. That is part of a bigger problem, which is that this movie exists only to set up for future DC cinema. It is so focused on setting up Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Justice League and the rest of the upcoming universe, that it does not have a strong plot of its own.

The biggest problem with this movie is its placement in its universe’s timeline. Marvel is releasing its own hero vs hero movie this year (“Captain America: Civil War”), and it was released eight years into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It benefits from having the opportunity to get set up over the long period of time between the first franchise film and it. “Batman v Superman” suffers from a lack of development and does not give the viewers enough time to grow attached to the characters before pitting them against each other.

This movie does have its strengths, however. Watching Batman and Superman—arguably the two most famous superheroes in history—against each other is very entertaining. Every actor does a good job with their part, with Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor is a particularly fun character. “Batman v Superman” is not without its weaknesses, but it definitely has fun parts that make it worth watching.