In my first non-tech related blogpost, I think I need to confront the growing problem that is “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Here is the problem– I am a die-hard DC fan.
I think their universe is better written than Marvel, the characters are deeper than Marvel and overall it has a better connected universe.
Their movies, though, have been flops for most of the years. “Batman and Robin” was horrible. “Batman Forever” was horrible. As much as it pains me to say it, “Green Lantern” wasn’t good. Neither was “Superman Returns.”
“The Dark Knight Trilogy” saved them. They were almost perfect movies and really brought DC to be a powerhouse company. Then “Man of Steel” came out and it was the same old Superman story over and over again. With enemies like Doomsday, Lex Luthor and many other powerful enemies, yet again they went with Zod.
“Man of Steel” wasn’t a good movie. The story was horrible and dull and the action was cliche. The only reason it “made it” was that it was a superhero movie released in the summer. Now we have a sequel coming out featuring Batman slammed pack full of villains and Justice League members.
It is set to fail.
For one, near the end of “Man of Steel” we see Superman being slammed around through buildings and being perfectly okay but we’re expected for his next enemy to be Batman, who is just a guy inside a batsuit.
Next, if “Spiderman 3” was any indication of how horrible a large cast is, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is set to fail from the start. The cast is huge. It would be okay if we had the returning cast from “Man of Steel” and a few from Batman lore, but no, we are introducing: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Ray Fisher as Cyborg and Jason Momoa as Aquaman. There are rumors for Green Lantern to appear (which makes sense with the rest of the Justice League being present) and rumors for a bigger Superman enemy to appear as well.
A cast that size leaves no room for any story telling at all. Remember, we don’t know who “Batman” is in this storyline because “The Dark Knight Trilogy” never existed in this universe of films. Therefore, we’re supposed to get a background on Batman, an obvious battle between Batman and Superman, and possibly a teaming up by the pair.
The cast is another battle that is hard to get through. After the disgusting failure that “Daredevil” was, why they chose to hire Ben Affleck to play Bruce Wayne is the most confusing casting until... they announced Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Lex Luthor is a bald, old man who hates Superman. Jesse Eisenberg looks 12. It was absolutely horrible.
The only saving grace was Jason Momoa as Aquaman. It was the perfect casting-finally- for a movie. I can’t think of anyone disagreeing with Momoa as Aquaman. Yet they find a way to ruin it again by casting Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. I feel like the creators of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” haven’t read any comics in their life pertaining to these characters.
In the end, DC won’t be the next Marvel when it comes to movies. In my heart, DC will always have Marvel beat when it comes to print but once you leave print and go to film, DC shoots itself in the foot constantly and this movie is no different.