Opinion: Batman v Superman – A super flop?

A battle between Batman and Superman has the ability to intertwine the stories of America’s favorite heroes with revolutionary results. This has the potential to launch the world of superheros into a new era.

However, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s” dialogue is too over packed with drama, has a lackluster plot, and ultimately does not do the characters “justice.” The premise of the film is promising, but it does not meet the standards to become a DC Comic movie classic.

We are introduced to Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) as a helpless child witnessing the murder of his parents. He ends up discovering the Batcave in the middle of a forest, and so on. The plot then fast forwards 30 years or so, and we watch as his world comes crashing down around him once again. Though this time it seems Superman (Henry Cavill)  is somehow at fault. Coincidence? Of course not.

Superman’s infamous foe Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) is trying to turn the two superheros into super-rivals, and thus the painful plot takes off into flight.

Let’s start with the character development. Lex Luthor is the genius-borderline-crazy billionaire that we all love to hate, and his new hipster dreads and millennial appeal are a refreshing take on the infamous character. Jesse Eisenberg’s zany, twisted, and energy-filled performance is by far the best in the film.

However, Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman was not only uninspiring, but at times awkward and confusing. The character’s actions were too sporadic and aggravating. They advanced the plot, but did so in a way that made me want to reach through the screen and shake some sense into the usually insightful superhero. Batman was as emotionally frustrated as a hormonal teenager, and Affleck’s performance did nothing to help this. It was dull at best.

The rest of the cast was acceptable. Holly Hunter as Senator Finch created a tough and unintimidating character that was an ideal politician, and Henry Cavill looked and acted as Superman should, in spite of the poor plot line.

Overall, the plot was too eye-roll inducing. Too much drama, too much of a lovey-dovey Lois Lane who needed to be saved practically every time Superman looked the other way (even though she was supposed to be a strong female role), and too many hastily resolved problems.

I mean, would it kill Superman to actually say what he means instead of trying to be stoic all the time? Or for Batman to calm down long enough to make an informed and rational decision?

The romance between Lois and Superman was also a little too gag-inducing for my liking. Their scenes were a bit cheesy and overdone, yet could be cute if you’re into that kind of stuff.

Then there were Batman’s dream sequences. Grim? Yes. Advanced the plot? Check. The most aggravating and confusing part of the movie? Maybe. Director Zack Snyder should have found another way to integrate Batman’s past into the film, since these scenes felt choppy and a bit random.

Despite the disappointing plot, the effects were impressive and the end was decent compared to the beginning of the film. Overall, it left me wanting more. I don’t know if that meant wanting more popcorn bags to throw up in (sorry Lois), or if I generally want to go see the 2017 sequel “Justice League: Part One,” which picks up where this film leaves off. I’m going with the latter of the two.

If you really love the comics be prepared to be “super” disappointed. But, Ben Affleck has a shirtless workout scene, and I couldn’t stop looking at Superman in his super-suit. That alone might be enough to see it.