Batman vs. Superman features several epic battles

Movie Title:  Batman vs. Superman

Grade:          B-

Rating:  PG-13, 2 hours 31 minutes

In a Nutshell:    When I saw the first trailer for this superhero movie almost a year ago, I thought it was a dumb idea.  I mean, Superman could easily kick Batman’s butt, right?  No contest.  No film needed. The next trailer that played a few months later included a sneak peek at Wonder Woman and then I became more intrigued, hoping there would be more to the story.

In an attempt to build the Justice League (and the movie studio’s coffers), this new installment in the DC Comic world of films is quite dark and takes itself a little too seriously.    It’s flawed, yet has some epic moments worth seeing.     

Uplifting theme: 

• “We can do better.  We will.  We have to.” – Batman
• “Ignorance is not the same as innocence.” – Anatoli Knyazev (Callan Mulvey)
• God vs. man.
• “What is good?  In a democracy, it’s a conversation, not a unilateral decision.” – Senator Finch
• Good vs. evil.
• Revenge vs. forgiveness.

Things I liked:

• I like Ben Affleck as Batman.  His greying sideburns give him a certain level of sophistication.  Some think he makes a better Daredevil.  Good for him for playing 2 superheroes!  How about a Batman vs. Daredevil movie?!  Ha ha
• I love the handsome Henry Cavill as Superman.
• Gal Gadot is a gorgeous Wonder Woman.  Her legs are perfect.
• Jesse Eisenberg plays the fast-talking, psychotic genius Lex Luthor.  His over-the-top, intense performance reminded me of Heath Ledger’s outstanding portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight .
• See it in 3D if you can.  There are a lot of scenes that are nicely enhanced…simple things like falling leaves, snow, and underwater views, not to mention all of the CGI action sequences.
• The beginning of the movie had some really great sequences that set the tone and serve as a little "catch-up" for those who can't remember what happened to the characters in their last movies.
• The new Batmobile is pretty dang cool.  I’d like it to stop moving for once so that I can get a better look at it.

• Walking Dead: Season 2 fans will be happy to see that Batman’s mom is played by the lovely Lauren Cohan for a few brief moments.
• I also love watching anything with Holly Hunter, Jeremy Irons, Amy Adams, and Diane Lane in it.  Here’s a picture of me with Diane Lane!  (Yeah, I keep showing it every time I review a movie with her in it.  I don't have many pictures of me with celebrities.  ha ha)

• One of the best things about this movie is the Lego Batman trailer that plays before the movie.  That movie looks awesome!
• Everyone likes to poke fun at Christian Bale's ridiculously deep Batman voice.  This film makes more sense when you see Alfred make a device to intentionally change Bruce Wayne's voice to hide his identity.
• The special effects were pretty amazing.

Things I didn’t like:

• Marvel Comics has been knocking it out of the park lately with their superheroes movies because of their coolness factor + humor.  This Batman v. Superman movie, “the greatest gladiator fight in the world”  has very little humor.  The audience walked out almost drained, rather than energized.
• TONS of CGI.  It comes at you constantly and so quickly that it becomes almost numbing.
• Batman wears full body armor like he’s playing Halo 5: Guardians video game.
• When are Alfred and Batman ever going to shave? 
• There were quite a few lines in the movie I disliked on a philosophical level.  Lex Luthor spouts all kinds of pessimistic theories and even Superman says “No one stays good in this world.”  I refuse to believe that.
•  The movie tries to cover a lot of time and back stories, as well as add some new monsters into the mix, but it ends up being too choppy and heavy-handed.
• It's a bit scattered, messy, and sometimes confusing.

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Funny lines:

•  “You’re psychotic.” –  Lois Lane

“That is a 3 syllable word for any thought too big for little minds.”  – Lex Luther

• “I’m not a lady.  I’m a journalist.” – Lois Lane  
• “Even you’ve gotten too old to die young…not for lack of trying.” - Alfred
• "Maybe it's the Gotham City in me...we've just had a bad history with freaks dressed like clowns." - Batman

Interesting lines:

•  “If man won’t kill God, the devil will do it.” – Lex Luthor

“What have you done?” – Superman

• “You want to know the oldest lie in America, Senator?  It’s that power can be innocent.” – Lex Luthor

• “The world has been so caught up with what Superman can do, no one has asked what he should do.” – Senator Finch

• “That's how it starts...the fever..the rage...the feeling of powerlessness that turns good men cruel.” – Alfred

• “We don’t have to use a silver bullet, but if we forge one, we don’t have to depend on the kindness of monsters.” – Lex Luthor

• “And now, God bends to my will.” – Lex Luthor
• "You're not brave.  Men are brave.  You say you want to help people, but you can't experience their pain...their mortality.  It's time you learned what it means to be a man!" - Batman

Tips for parents:   

• Amy Adams is naked in a bath tub, but you mostly only see her shoulders.  Clark Kent steps into the bathtub with his clothes on and gets frisky.
• Endless barrage of explosions, fights, chase scenes, buildings destroyed, car smashes, and firing weapons.
• Yep, there will be PLENTY of merchandising!