Zack Snyder's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" has not been receiving good reviews from critics, with the film even scoring only 33 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some critics are disappointed with the structure of the film, claiming that it is too chaotic. Overall, the movie is said to not live up to all the hype surrounding it, and that it will let down all the fans who have been waiting to see Batman and Superman collide on the big screen.
However, no matter what critics say and how low it scores in some reviews, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is the first movie that brings together Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman together. And honestly, for some fans, that by itself already makes it a winner.
Casting Decisions: Good Or Bad?
Henry Cavill has already entrenched himself as this generation's Superman, with "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" as his second appearance as the Son of Krypton after the 2013 "Man of Steel." For the other two major characters, however, there were some that did not believe that the casting decisions were spot on.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman initially raised eyebrows, but she pulled off the Amazonian princess with spunk. Gadot, during her role as Gisele in the "Fast and Furious" franchise, was thin and frail, but as Wonder Woman, Gadot transformed her physique into one worthy of wearing the iconic bracelets. If there was a complaint about Gadot as Wonder Woman, it would be the fact that she should have had more time on screen, though that would be rectified by her upcoming standalone movie to be released in June next year.
While Gadot as Wonder Woman drew skepticism, Ben Affleck as Batman drew in much more. It was difficult for most fans, admittedly even myself, to picture Affleck as the Caped Crusader, but surprisingly, he did a good job in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Was Affleck as Batman an unusual choice for the role? He was and he still is, but after watching the movie, it can be said that Affleck did a good enough job in the role to earn it for the succeeding "Justice League" movies.
Another surprisingly effective casting decision for the movie is Jesse Eisenberg as the diabolical Lex Luthor. Eisenberg is able to deliver a charming yet still very much evil kind of crazy to the role, and I could go as far as saying that he was one of the major draws of the movie.
Lesson learned: Snyder does not go wrong in making casting decisions.
Now About That Plot...
The plot of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is not without holes, that's a given. There are several things that were shown and then left unanswered, with doubt that the questions would be answered in the succeeding "Justice League" movies. The feud between Batman and Superman itself stands out as being a shallow one, which kind of undermines the whole point of the movie.
But then again, this is where fans need to take a step back and remember why they became excited when they first heard that the movie is being made. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, all in one movie? Chase scenes, fight scenes and the Justice League trinity in the middle of all that action? That was what was promised, and that was what the movie delivered.
No, the movie will not be winning any awards for a beautifully crafted plot. However, seeing the three heroes onscreen, a scenario that could not even be thought of just several years ago, is simply magical, and for most fans, that is more than enough.
The Verdict
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" does not come without flaws, but I think most fans would be willing to overlook those to take in the moment of seeing Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman together on the big screen.
In teasers, Luthor proclaimed that it would be "the greatest gladiator match in the history of the world." Again, this is what the movie promises, and it is what it delivers.
