I mean, yes, I think it gave away too much. Star Wars? Back in December? I still trying to figure out SOMETHING, even afterwards. This one? Why are they fighting? What? They're worshiping the Supes now? How'd....
Of course, they are generating interest. Plus? I like to see movies on the big screen, the way they were intended. So I gave this movie a chance. I paid for a ticket. Now there were further warning signs. It was released in March. Never good. Actioners tend to be released in the summer, when everyone who is a fanboy can show up again and again. Now, recently, due to the sheer myriad of Marvel titles that Disney has on release dates, those rules are being greatly reduced. The fact is, when Disney needs a bit of cash to purchase another small country, they just go ahead and release it. The audiences come in droves.
Even if it's a bad movie. Why? The same reason we go to McDonald's. A trusted piece of concoction that won't give us the squirts. Same with their movies. Tried and true, even when not following a formula.
The fact is, DC, which has been around much longer than the Marvel titles, is basically new to modern filmmaking. They're trying to hack back into the market that Marvel never really could in the 70s. Sure, there was Superman radio shows and campy but strong Batman shows on television in the 60s, but modern filmmaking stopped for them after Michael Keaton left Batman. Chris Nolan brought it back with Batman Begins. But he was already a gifted filmmaker before and after his DC contributions. And seeing the cash flow Marvel was flowing through, Warner Bros, owner of the DC heroes in movie formats, figured they'd jump in.
Now, I admit, I liked Man of Steel. I felt that large tankers of men battling should knock down buildings. It was a Superman movie trying to unlock the appeal that Batman was experiencing. It rubbed many wrong and that was a given. Even I saw the flaws. A wooden lead in Henry Cavill, lack of chemistry between he and Lois Lane. Which is weird, because it's freegin Amy Adams. This is the lady who gave depth to a Disney Princess in Enchanted. If she can't make sparks fly, there's something else going on.
But he did have the look, that's for sure.
So, now? We have the follow up to Man of Steel and Batman Begins--a profoundly obvious ploy to get a Justice League movie together a la The Avengers. In this story iteration Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, sees his family die AGAIN (you know...because this hasn't been lodged into our collective consciousnesses yet? See the proceeding 7!!! movies!!!), we see his work family murdered by the destructive climax of the last movie. Emotionally big on such things, he elects to figure out how to bring this Superman down. It will be difficult. Since the world is pretty much afraid of Superman, they venerate him. Lex Luther, Superman's ongoing villian from the comic book shows up with his usual nefarious plans and mechanizations to make that happen.
Should I elaborate? I can if you wish, but really, we've been down this road before. The audience can predict every step, a color-by-numbers tale. Here, in the hands of Zach Synder, we find nothing really all that new. Nothing new, really. Other than the fact that this movie is VERY SERIOUS. Zach made a great and deep movie called Watchmen, based on a comic book, and it was very serious to begin with. Even one hero, called Comedian, was not very funny. So, they hired him again, and he keeps making the same movie, over and over.
WHere I'm over it is, yes, again, to Marvel. They have a talking tree and raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy. The X-Men exist because we are told they do. These realities we accept when they are present on the big screen. We are expected to cross those gaps of reality and suspend our disbelief. The world on the screen exists and this is the rule. DC's lastest endeavor treats us like children and refuses to find the humor and joyful moment at any point.
Even The Walking Dead has their jollies with skull smashing aplomb.
But not in the DC universe.
And it's that hand-holding that pushes the film away from the audience and causes such bad vibes. I'm okay with predicable plot. I'm okay with tropes. I'm even okay with the dark. But, for goodness sakes, celebrate the moments. Find those moments.
The actors try as much as they can. Ben Affleck
is actually excellent. His jawline and scowl work fine, and his skills as a performer rise above such dismay authorship this script provides. Cavill is growing as an actor, given a bit more to do here. In fact, all the actors are top notch and are trying, elevating the film a bit more from the quagmire it could arrive at.
But a giggling super villain only works if it's Joker and part of the character. Lex Luther doesn't just know he's better than everyone-he is, actually, one of the smartest men alive. He doesn't crack and giggle and make snarky comments. When the film has no humor, this is what you end up with.
I have a feeling if you like this kind of movie, you'll be fine. However, if you're not a comic book person, it might not work, but only as a prelude to bigger things. Seriously. It's truly a sequel, a bridge. One spark?
Wonder Woman. She dominates for the miniscule time on the screen. Vaguely Middle Eastern (as she should be), with the cheekbones of supermodel, Diana Prince is badass enough. I look forward to her movie. Do you know why?
She SMILES in the middle of a huge fight scene. Humor. And totally in character. Bring her back. Give her twenty new movies....I'd see them all.
Truly. A C+ or B- movie. Just sorta there......
