Who would win in a fight: Batman or Superman? It鈥檚 no mean task to tackle an age-old schoolyard question satisfactorily for fans the world over.
In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, director Zack Snyder proves up to the challenge in the epic battle department, but not when it comes to crafting satisfying lead heroes. Batman is uncharacteristically pathological; Superman is depressed. Both super-downers spend far too much time griping about one another鈥檚 presence, and we feel the same way, wishing that this was a straight-shot sequel to Man of Steel instead of what it is: a titillating but somewhat glum entr茅e to a world of DC Comics sequels.
The film stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg and Gal Gadot as Batman, Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and Wonder Woman, respectively. But this is Batman鈥檚 film from the very beginning, and he鈥檚 peeved. The action starts at the end of the Man of Steel film with Batman witnessing carnage and mayhem at ground level, collateral damage from Superman鈥檚 sky-high battle with General Zod, an impressive opening.
(Note here, however, that if your daughter just stocked up on the Wonder Woman/Supergirl/Batgirl and other newly available action figures and is excited to catch a glimpse of Wonder Woman on the big screen, scenes involving blown-up limbs and sex trafficking probably preclude pre-teens from watching the film.)
And so we have Bruce Wayne/Batman鈥檚 misplaced rage and nightmares, occasionally assuaged by Alfred the Butler (Jeremy Irons) but with revenge directed squarely at Superman. Superman/Clark Kent gets some cuddle time with Lois Lane but is too distraught over the world鈥檚 poor opinion of him to make much progress. A congresswoman (Holly Hunter) wants to 聽聽hold Superman accountable for his actions, as does super-conniver Lex Luthor (Eisenberg, again channeling his Zuckerberg), who has a thing for Jolly Ranchers, and聽the only comic relief in the film.
Tormented superhero story arcs are nothing new (thanks Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan), but Snyder doesn鈥檛 waste time for exposition before the next action sequence or meandering plot line gets underway.
Affleck took a beating among fans when casting was announced, but he proves capable as a salt-and-pepper Dark Knight: it鈥檚 just that his Batman is lacking depth and out of character. Ditto Cavill, who desperately needs more to do but certainly looks the part.
Is there just not enough room onscreen for two such impressively cleft chins?
Some excitement is generated by Wonder Woman鈥檚 (Gadot) big-screen debut and she, at least, cracks a smile while cracking skulls.
Visually, it must be said, the film has moments of true beauty that we only wish had seeped into the scripting. And the grand finale is a sonic spectacle, with Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL providing accompaniment. The marathon of visual effects, stuntwork and good old-fashioned fisticuffs is berserk and relentless, verging on silly, but it鈥檚 a relief to see these two go boots-to-boots after such moody build-up.
The script is meandering and full of holes but a few great moments make Warner Bros鈥� Batman v Superman worth seeing, but make sure you catch it on the big screen.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens this week at Scotiabank, Fifth Avenue and Park Theatre.
