Movie Review: 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

After a year of hype, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” hits movie theaters this week, turning these two iconic comic book characters against each other. NY1’s Neil Rosen discusses the highly anticipated movie, which pits the Man of Steel against the Caped Crusader.

If you stop to think about it, there is really no reason why these two superheroes would be fighting each other at all. But the makers of this film had come up with something, so they created several unconvincing, contrived storylines to make this epic matchup possible.

Batman thinks Superman is going to destroy mankind.

Superman's stake in the fight has something to do with his psychotic foe, Lex Luthor, holding his mother hostage, and Superman is told that killing Batman would set her free.

There are several other reasons why these two iconic comic book characters battle with each other, but it is all very convoluted and the screenwriters could have come up with better ideas.

Director Zack Snyder, who did the over-bloated and terrible "Man of Steel" movie, offers up more of the same here.

It is too long, at two and half hours; the action sequences are overstuffed, endless and noisy; it is devoid of any humor whatsoever; and the self-serious, disjointed movie lacks any sense of fun. 

Henry Cavill as Superman and Clark Kent is wooden, as usual. But Ben Affleck does an admirable job as both Batman and Bruce Wayne. Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor chews the scenery too much and goes way over the top.

At times, the CGI is very badly done, specifically when it comes to the weird, destructive character Doomsday.

With several Justice League movies in the works, which feature many DC Comic Book characters, Warner Bros. is looking to duplicate the monetary success of the Marvel Avenger series. Consequently, Wonder Woman is suddenly dropped into this film with little explanation as to why.

The movie does have a few brief, bright spots, and the actual 20-minute battle between Batman and Superman offers some enjoyment. But overall, this film should have been way more satisfying.