Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Preview
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a breath over 2 weeks away, which is startlingly close given that the hype has been building for so long on this film. Announced way back in June 2013, the Man of Steel sequel quickly turned into Batman and Superman's first ever cinematic union. And early on, the film was said to be based on Frank Miller's groundbreaking graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns.
Director Zack Snyder rescinded that comment, insisting that an adaptation of that material would require a different Batman. Instead, this is a Batman that's older and wearier similar to in Miller's graphic novel, but a Batman that is entering into an already, briefly, established Superman's world. Where The Dark Knight Returns was essentially set at the twilight of the DC universe, Batman v Superman is, as it says in the title, the dawn of the Justice League.
"I wouldn't call this a Superman sequel" - Henry Cavill
All indications point to this being very heavily focused on Batman, which while in some respects disappointing, in others it's very much the way to go. Batman fills seats, and what we've seen of Ben Affleck, particularly in the most recent trailer, is exciting to say the least. The character is timeless, and has layers that people can't quite see in Superman. While Man of Steel certainly attempted to add trauma to the 'boy scout' that is Superman, it seems the controversial events of that film's bloated climax have a direct influence on the events we're about to see unfold.
Early praise has been gifted to that element. Its use of Man of Steel's destructive element seems set to be a catalyst for Batman's distrust, and it seems this anger has been simmering away for some time. Add Jeremy Irons' much more hands-on Alfred, and we're looking at a much fiercer operation from the gloomy under-dwellings of Wayne Manor than we've ever seen on the big screen.
Still, we're left to hope that Superman doesn't fall into straight-line antagonistic tendencies. This will be reliant on how Snyder has filmed the picture. The script has everything to do with how these characters interact with each other and the world, but the right eye from the right angle can have the utmost affect on who we sympathise most with. Let's hope it's a difficult decision for us to make.
"Some new and unexpected directions" - Zack Snyder
The film has come under fire for many things, particular in the early part of this year as the film's release looms. The most notable criticism comes from the trailers, from which people have derived, and complained, that too much has been shown, and that we've supposedly seen the entire movie already. I sit somewhere in the middle. The film clearly has an ace or two, or maybe three, up its sleeve. No film reveals its contents beforehand, despite how it might look. And we might just look back on our doubts and criticisms with hindsight and think them foolish. Or we'll all have been right, and then no one will be happy.
Further criticism, at various points during pre, post, and production itself, has been angled at casting. Affleck was considered not physically imposing enough for the role, and Jesse Eisenberg has been dubbed too young for the part of Lex Luthor. To that, Zack Snyder teased that there was some interesting and foreign ground to explore with the character, and with Eisenberg in the role. Luthor played no role in The Dark Knight Returns, and in fact since the early announcement and speculation, the film has seemed committed to directing attention away from that comparison.
The monstrous villain Doomsday has been particularly prevalent in complaints regarding the trailers, and his role in the film might just remind fans of the source material of a little storyline titled The Death of Superman. There is so little chance of this being adapted to end in the same way, at the birth of this universe's Justice League, but it'll be interesting to see this villain's role, and we can remain hopeful that the film doesn't use him as a throwaway obstacle. Because as it stands many see it as nothing more than a means for Batman and Superman to eventually shake hands and get on with it. What Batman v Superman absolutely cannot afford to do is leave its audience with the feeling that this is two-and-a-half hours of setup.
"In the end, it's a drama" - Zack Snyder
This film has every chance of being Zack Snyder's magnum opus. The filmmaker's commitment to the material he works with is nothing short of laudable, and his credibility as a unique creator is indisputable despite not always hitting the right marks. Man of Steel is a flawed film, one that feels to attentive toward big action set pieces and seems to lack much else to work with. But prior to that, the film played with non-linearity well enough, even if the script dipped into melodrama at times. 300 also feels similar. It's an impressive adaptation, a complete commitment to Frank Miller's work, but it lacks a certain spark even amongst all that style.
But Batman v Superman can be different, for one very important reason. It can be like Watchmen (which was earlier this week reviewed in minute detail, which you can read here). Now, obviously, the two films are very different. Apart from being superhero films, they couldn't be much further apart. One is a grim study of a Cold War-era doomsday-ready world in which superhero vigilantism has been outlawed. Here, however, Batman has been operating for many years now, and Superman's presence is only relatively new. The world is only now learning about their overwhelming presence (and it's going to be hit hard, with Aquaman and a handful of others set to arrive seemingly in a short space of time).
But what both films do have in common is a scope that Snyder's other films haven't seemed to own. There are so many moving parts in Watchmen, and plenty of subtext to keep the narrative relevant, courtesy of Alan Moore's remarkable narrative written in the late 80s. Batman v Superman is rumoured to have deep, complex ideologies beneath its surface-level bout, and is also said to include aspects within that are both intended to prepare us for the future of the universe while also adding an enormous layer of intrigue to proceedings. The enormous range of the film is, perhaps, concerning, but Snyder has shown the ability to keep a hold of all his dangling threads, as evidenced in Watchmen.
"A once in a lifetime opportunity" - Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot, as with pretty much every major casting for this and every other superhero film (sigh), came under heavy fire when she was chosen to play Wonder Woman in the upcoming film. But her commitment to the role, her extensive training regime (as she's elaborated on), her belief in women as strong and empowered, and her complete awareness of how lucky she feels to have been given this opportunity, all offer signs that she was absolutely the right woman for the job. Gadot is adamant that her Wonder Woman is independent, is not there for any romantic necessity, and does not need a man.
In fact, the actress's stance on women as strong and admirable speaks volumes to how important her role in the film will be not just as a part of the DC universe, but also as an essential and potentially influential role model for women young and old. In this universe, Wonder Woman is a demigoddess and the daughter of Zeuss, but she isn't the only Justice League member-to-be debuting. Ray Fisher will appear in his first feature film, in, fittingly, the superhero Cyborg's first cinematic appearance. Jason Momoa is appearing as Aquaman in the King of the Sea's first appearance on the big screen, and marks a massive deviation from his comic book counterpart, though from what little we've seen there's every chance Momoa's performance could finally break the stigma that has surrounded the character for so long. Ezra Miller will also debut his version of The Flash, which is not to be mistaken for the same Flash in The CW's series.
"I think there is a ton of pressure on it" - Ben Affleck
More characters have been announced for this than in any other DC film combined. With the potential to offer something so uniquely different to what Marvel have successfully achieved, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice could be the film Warner Bros. has been praying for. Alternatively, concerns out of the studio lie with the film's financial potential, but not its content's quality. If it is, as rumour has it, so different as to alienate a casual audience, then perhaps that in itself will mark it as essential superhero viewing.
That Snyder used a 'v' instead of 'vs' to indicate that the film is more than just a one-on-one, and that he insists it's a drama first, proves that he is aware of the superhero genre's aging life. It hasn't been slowing down, but it will. Is Dawn of Justice attempting to change the formula? Who knows. The trailers have been interesting, but apart from the characters involved it's not altogether new. The trailers themselves have had a different tone each time, suggesting a bit of discomfort behind closed doors. Batman's significant dominance in recent marketing might be the key to pointing out just where the film's strengths lie, as well as its weaknesses. Or it might just be what Warner Bros. is most confident with in an effort to sell tickets.
But until March 25th, it's all speculation. Is Zack Snyder about to produce his next Watchmen, or will Batman v Superman be too much like Man of Steel to truly resonate with its audience? Warner Bros. DC universe is reliant on a strong start, but I doubt they'll clean the slate if it falls short of the mark. Personally, I'm pretty damn optimistic.
