Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
When I was growing up, I read a lot of comic books, including "Batman" and "Superman". The publisher of these titles, DC Comics, also published a series of one-off stories about these characters set in alternate realities, outside the canon of the story arc proper. This afforded creative writers the opportunity to explore the dynamics of these heroes in a unique light with unusual stories that defied the traditional personifications of these figures. They were called "Elseworlds", and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice carries the echo of these multifaceted portrayals of these comic book heroes.
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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice begins in the middle of the climax of the previous entry into the DC Comics series of unified movies about its iconic heroes, Man of Steel, in the chaotic and wildly destructive fight between Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman (Henry Cavill) and General Zod. As many observed about that film, the degree of the devastation was so great, one wonders how the carnage affected the people of Metropolis. This is the perspective of Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck), who races into the mighty clouds of ashen buildings toppled in the conflict, in scenes deliberately designed to evoke the horrifying footage that accompanied the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 in New York City. His rage and pain is stoked by seeing the aftermath of metahumans, empowered to carry out their agendas at the expense--at the ignorance--of the innocent victims in their wake. This is the drive which made him become an avenger of the night, and his perception of Superman's indifference to the suffering of others is what propels his own antagonistic hatred of such a perceived wanton force of ruin. It is a kind of rage which was fostered in his own sense of powerlessness and lack of faith in a benevolent superior force, like a god. It is also a kind of arrogance, which is mirrored in the true antagonist of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the young, orphaned, manic industrialist, Alexander "Lex" Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg). Lex Luthor represents a paradoxical mix of resentment toward those who are gifted with powers he cannot obtain and an entitlement complex he supports by talking about how poor his father who founded LexCorp was (which is visibly absurd, considering how petulant Lex is). But just as Bruce Wayne (and even Lex Luthor to a point) see a particular kind of injustice in the world by one man possessing nigh-omnipotence, so does Clark Kent see the actions of powerful billionaires running rampant and costumed vigilantes willing to overstep the justice system as a dangerous philosophy. It is clear that Superman actively strives to protect the innocent, even though there is the possibility of collateral damage. His view of the enraged Batman is also of one who is ambivalent to the welfare of others--if they have been criminals once before, Batman is willing to brand them like cattle, and unwilling to afford them mercy. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is not an origin story for Batman; on the contrary, the "Dark Knight" has existed for roughly two decades as a vigilante force in Gotham City, aided begrudgingly by his technically savvy and cautious butler, Alfred (Jeremy Irons). It is more than just his rage at the idea of a reckless demigod running rampant--the introduction of Superman has also thrown the world--Batman's world--out of balance, making the avenger of Gotham a more cruel, brutal enforcer than previous incarnations in movies featuring Batman. The idea of an alien force capable of complete destruction--a terrifying unknown to a control-obsessed mastermind like Bruce Wayne--haunts him, and fills him with apocalyptic visions of a world given to ash and dust, a future under the steel thumb of the last son of Krypton.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice draws many of its key themes from the mythology of deities and their relationship to mankind, from the inhabitants of Mount Olympus in the Greek pantheon to the basis of Christianity. Throughout the course of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the groundwork is laid for subsequent films adapted from other entries in DC Comics' mythology of superheroes--in particular, one of its flagship team-based hero periodicals, "Justice League", whose membership includes Superman and Batman. During the conflict of the film, Bruce Wayne crosses paths with an enigmatic and lovely saboteur, whose identity is revealed to be Diana Prince a.k.a. Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Their eventual triple team up to combat a destructive threat greater than themselves combined is the basis for this heroic council to come, taking a proverbial page from the success of other superhero combined universe successes like those adapted from their longstanding competitor, Marvel Comics. Moments in the film tease of scenes from future movies, including the upcoming origin story, Wonder Woman, and briefly show cameos of other heroes, like Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and The Flash (Ezra Miller). Even in the comics, the concept of a group of elite, godlike monitors for the world has evoked comparisons between the Justice League and the gods of ancient Greece; heroes like Batman share conceptual similarities with figures like Hades, or Superman with Apollo, and so on. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice also borrows extensively from some of DC Comics' most acclaimed and popular story arcs featuring these two titans: "The Death of Superman" and "The Dark Knight Returns", addressing bold and mature themes in the context of a comic book universe.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice further explores the connection between superheroes and ascendant figures by highlighting the parallels between Superman and Jesus Christ. By their supporters, both are regarded as messianic and benevolent, those who protect the innocent from the iniquity of evil. They come from a world other than our own, and yet are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the welfare of mankind. Both Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane) are analogs in this Christ-like analogy to Mary Magdalene and Jesus' mother, Mary. Even the kryptonite spear which Bruce Wayne fashions to put an end to Superman is reminiscent of the fabled "Lance of Longinus" used to pierce the side of Jesus Christ on the crucifix. Lex Luthor proclaims that Superman is more of a devil than a god, but his cruel, hateful spite toward the "Man of Steel" and his consistently vindictive assessment of him is more akin to the kind of behavior of an raging atheist--or King Herod in the Gospel of Matthew--someone who utterly resents the idea that a god exists that does not bend the knee to him. But the world has been provoked into believing that Superman is either incapable or unwilling to protect all life, and politicians like Senator June Finch (Holly Hunter) propose that Superman does not have the right to make these decisions of life and death on behalf of everyone else. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice sets the stage for this thought-provoking concept of authority and exceptionalism by comparing those with contemporary social and political overtones, with actual cable news pundits postulating on the relevance and accountability of Superman with the same degree of disaffected, even sarcastic remarks they make about any other kind of scandal. The question about whether the world really needs a Superman is one which always seems to be relevant, evocative of our own perceptions of the state of the world, and directly relates to our own sense of empowerment or powerlessness within it.
Recommended for: Fans of DC Comics' most iconic heroes, and some of the most standout tales of the "world's finest". Director Zack Snyder's characteristic gloss and sheen gives the film a distinct, comic-book feel contrasted with a grounded setting, colliding the super-powered world with our own reality.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice draws many of its key themes from the mythology of deities and their relationship to mankind, from the inhabitants of Mount Olympus in the Greek pantheon to the basis of Christianity. Throughout the course of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the groundwork is laid for subsequent films adapted from other entries in DC Comics' mythology of superheroes--in particular, one of its flagship team-based hero periodicals, "Justice League", whose membership includes Superman and Batman. During the conflict of the film, Bruce Wayne crosses paths with an enigmatic and lovely saboteur, whose identity is revealed to be Diana Prince a.k.a. Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Their eventual triple team up to combat a destructive threat greater than themselves combined is the basis for this heroic council to come, taking a proverbial page from the success of other superhero combined universe successes like those adapted from their longstanding competitor, Marvel Comics. Moments in the film tease of scenes from future movies, including the upcoming origin story, Wonder Woman, and briefly show cameos of other heroes, like Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and The Flash (Ezra Miller). Even in the comics, the concept of a group of elite, godlike monitors for the world has evoked comparisons between the Justice League and the gods of ancient Greece; heroes like Batman share conceptual similarities with figures like Hades, or Superman with Apollo, and so on. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice also borrows extensively from some of DC Comics' most acclaimed and popular story arcs featuring these two titans: "The Death of Superman" and "The Dark Knight Returns", addressing bold and mature themes in the context of a comic book universe.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice further explores the connection between superheroes and ascendant figures by highlighting the parallels between Superman and Jesus Christ. By their supporters, both are regarded as messianic and benevolent, those who protect the innocent from the iniquity of evil. They come from a world other than our own, and yet are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the welfare of mankind. Both Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane) are analogs in this Christ-like analogy to Mary Magdalene and Jesus' mother, Mary. Even the kryptonite spear which Bruce Wayne fashions to put an end to Superman is reminiscent of the fabled "Lance of Longinus" used to pierce the side of Jesus Christ on the crucifix. Lex Luthor proclaims that Superman is more of a devil than a god, but his cruel, hateful spite toward the "Man of Steel" and his consistently vindictive assessment of him is more akin to the kind of behavior of an raging atheist--or King Herod in the Gospel of Matthew--someone who utterly resents the idea that a god exists that does not bend the knee to him. But the world has been provoked into believing that Superman is either incapable or unwilling to protect all life, and politicians like Senator June Finch (Holly Hunter) propose that Superman does not have the right to make these decisions of life and death on behalf of everyone else. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice sets the stage for this thought-provoking concept of authority and exceptionalism by comparing those with contemporary social and political overtones, with actual cable news pundits postulating on the relevance and accountability of Superman with the same degree of disaffected, even sarcastic remarks they make about any other kind of scandal. The question about whether the world really needs a Superman is one which always seems to be relevant, evocative of our own perceptions of the state of the world, and directly relates to our own sense of empowerment or powerlessness within it.
Recommended for: Fans of DC Comics' most iconic heroes, and some of the most standout tales of the "world's finest". Director Zack Snyder's characteristic gloss and sheen gives the film a distinct, comic-book feel contrasted with a grounded setting, colliding the super-powered world with our own reality.