where the Japanese had their kaiju eiga, films about "strange beasts" or "monsters" that are sometimes heroes, sometimes not (and always destroying cities either way), we developed superhero movies about "strange beasts" who are sometimes heroes, sometimes not, and always destroying cities. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (hereafter BVS), there's a moment where Superman is referred to as a "monster." Batman is called that throughout--often by the very people he's helping. I don't think director Zack Snyder did this on purpose, though I do think it doesn't matter what Snyder intended. What he's done with this film is create the perfect monster for us in 2016. BVS is the most unpleasant, unsettling big-budget action/adventure movie to hit the friendly neighbourhood cineplex since Spielberg and Lucas's film maudit classic Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom....
...It's interesting to me that this film and the upcoming Captain America: Civil War will be dealing with the consequences of levelling cities, packed to the brim as these franchises have been with city-levelling 9/11 iconography. It's interesting, too, that this iteration of Superman continues to have no problem with killing people. He demonstrates this early on when someone holds a gun to the head of lady love/professional hostage Lois Lane (Amy Adams). My response to that was a "well, of course he could kill anyone he wanted to at any time" horror. This is symptomatic of a movie that doesn't seek to explain the ways of God to men, but imposes upon gods the petty weaknesses and tunnel vision of their creations. It's an attractive teleology vs. theology argument. Except that for this avowed atheist, pop-cultural Superman was the only divinity I ever truly believed in. What I'm really trying to say is that BVS will make its $1.6 billion, because as a culture it's not only the Superman film we deserve, but also the one we most ardently desire...
...Perry White (Laurence Fishburne) declares that the American conscience died with "Martin, Bobby, and John." He's admonishing one of his idealistic reporters, but he may as well be addressing anyone left in the audience hoping to see the hero who protects us. The biggest lie, Luthor says, is the idea that power is ever innocent. How terrible that he's right. How terrible that this truth is the truth in a Superman film. How fascinating that Snyder's better Watchmen adaptation is BVS.
This movie is going to be a cult classic in the next decade, by how things are going.
DC should replace Zack Snyder for future pictures. Especially if they want a successful franchise like Marvel. Aside from dawn of the dead remake zack snyder hasn't made a good movie. which was years ago. Ever since he discovered slow motion spam his movies gotten worse and worse. I really hope DC replace him for their upcoming movie. This movie will make money the first weekend sure it has batman on it. But will fall of quickly. If DC have any chance against competing with marvel they need to replace zack snyder ASAP.
DerZuhälter;199039508 said:Intermission right now. It's bad so far. The editing is all over the place. Baleman was a surgeon compared to Batfleck.
Cavill has been extremely incompetent and unlikable. Michael Cera is ridiculous in his portrayl of Luthor. Something between hammy 60s villain and .com CEO.
Jeremy Irons is solid though.
It's crazy how Cavill was so fun and likable in Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Snyder can't seem to squeeze a drop of charm from him.
I mean look at the Nolan Batman trilogy - not the most cheerful movies, it's all powerful, heavy stuff, no goofing around Avengers-style here. Even Winter Soldier looks at the seriousness of these movies and goes "damn!". However, Nolan is a director who understands that the viewer can only take so much of constant bombardment of oppression and seriousness, he understands how to create characters in whom the audience would be invested. Therefore we get some humorous passages, some quiet moments with Alfred, Rachel. Characters get a moment to breathe and the movie has scenes where the main plot stops so that the movie focuses on character development instead.
For those who have seen it, would any amount of editing (ie no addition of new scenes but cutting out or rearranging of existing scenes) save this film?
Just imagining if Affleck had been given the directors chair after joining this project.
For those who have seen it, would any amount of editing (ie no addition of new scenes but cutting out or rearranging of existing scenes) save this film?
Not really. It was well placed and I felt like the story telling was actually consistent with a typical superhero movie. Then again I seem to be the minority in the Internet who actually came out liking what I saw despite the critics telling me it's a pile of shit. But that's what opinions are forFor those who have seen it, would any amount of editing (ie no addition of new scenes but cutting out or rearranging of existing scenes) save this film?
I found it to be the exact opposite in that it went out of its way to have breathing space for characters when they were needed. It was actually paced extremely well.So pretty much same issue as Man of Steel, the film never stops to take a breather from loud music, oppressive theme, seriousness and main plot.
Man of Steel was disappointing because of that, not because the movie was bad quality like Fantastic 4.
It probably would have been a lot better movie.
37% right now
Exactly the same score as a movie starring Galactus as a fucking cloud
I have no idea what's up with RT. Liked it more than Avengers 2. Went in expecting much worse.
I have no idea what's up with RT. Liked it more than Avengers 2. Went in expecting much worse.
Holy fuck at that sentence. Chills were had.edit: Inferno, you dog! You beat me!
37% right now
Exactly the same score as a movie starring Galactus as a fucking cloud
37% right now
Exactly the same score as a movie starring Galactus as a fucking cloud
You guys read this Walter Chaw review?
You should read this Walter Chaw review. I'm hit & miss on the guy (he's basically the kind of critic Faraci seems to be clawing towards when he overreaches like he does) but while this thing is long, and takes diversion after diversion, he hits on some pretty fucking interesting thoughts regarding Snyder's interpretation of these characters, and the reason this film might resonate with audiences even though the criticisms are all on point:
There's a lot more at the link, but holy shit what a review. It's fucking fascinating to read.
edit: Inferno, you dog! You beat me!
If you saw it already, chances are you're sipping the Kool-aid, since you went to an early screening.
If you saw it already, chances are you're sipping the Kool-aid, since you went to an early screening.
This has got to be one of the best film reviews I've ever read, it's not very positive, but damn if it didn't get me excited again to see this mess.
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The next thread title plz
Nope. BvS is not fun. There's nothing to be remembered.
I noticed Blue Marvel's been getting a push lately. Leading the Ultimates, just replaced Superman on that one Sufjan Stevens album cover, etc. It's not as hamfisted as the ones they're giving to the Inhumans and Carol Danvers, but I can tell they've got some big plans for him in the future.
Just imagining if Affleck had been given the directors chair after joining this project.
Ah yes, the whole you've seen it early so therefore you can't judge it appropriately mindset. I mean come on, there's no need to jump so far in logic that its impossible to accept people actually did enjoy it.If you saw it already, chances are you're sipping the Kool-aid, since you went to an early screening.
It was actually just that, but to me felt like better pacing than Avengers 2. It had its light hearted moments and the crowd I was with had quite a few chuckles and out there laughs. The humour is obviously different to Marvel's formula but it works I feel and that will probably be a sentiment seen in the general public's reaction.I'm going to guess that while AoU was a hot mess it still had all the characters you loved joking around and doing things you love. It doesn't make a lick of sense and by the time an AI robot-man comes out of a box because Thor used his magic Hammer to open it with lightning you're past the point of trying to make sense of it all. However, it's still a fun ride and watching Hulk smash and Iron-Man quip witty banter still puts a smile on your face.
I'm going to guess that BvS does not put a smile on anyone's face at any moment.
I enjoyed this review:
http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/batman-v-superman-is-v-bad-1766555948
Here's a snippet:
"A fun thing you could do during the two and a half hours you spend watching Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is count the number of times some rando blurts out something like Its uninhabited! or Its after five, so downtowns nearly empty right now! whilst Batman and/or Superman throw various bad guys (and/or each other) through various walls. No civilians were harmed in the making of this loud, droning, incoherent, and bonkers deadly serious film, in sharp contrast to 2013's Man of Steel, wherein Superman spends the last half hour bonking giant buildings full of innocent people together until they explode. "
All the rage and furious denial around the net kinda makes me wish we had all this when the star wars prequels were released.
Holy fuck at that sentence. Chills were had.
When White wonders aloud if Clark clicks his heels together to be transported back to Kansas, in my head I'm thinking that The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, the year after Superman was introduced in Action Comics, and that Thomas Frank has wondered aloud--and famously--what happened to the progressive idealism of Kansas to make it the wingnut capital of the Midwest. It's a loaded jab that speaks to what a pussy I am to cry at a new Star Wars film that reminded me of the old one in every meaningful way. That time is over. More, it never existed in the first place. Glory to the Superman movie that removes hope, and every memory of hope. Every shred.
All this hullaballoo just makes Civil War feel that much further away.
All this hullaballoo just makes Civil War feel that much further away.
The last one, the Watchmen one. Brutal.Which one? there's like four or five single-sentence napalm bombs contained in that thing.
I mean, look at this:
The last one, the Watchmen one. Brutal.