This will be a first for me, as I already reviewed Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice upon release, and my thoughts on the film have changed little; though my admiration for the film has certainly grown. Maybe it is because I look at film's differently, as a would-be artist myself; I do not simply watch a film and enjoy it just for what's on screen. No, I watch a film and love to digest why the director made certain choices, why characters are put in those situations and what it means for those characters. And when you have such legendary and wonderfully established characters like Batman and Superman; it is important to present them and maintain their essence, but also to try and show what these characters mean in this time and to the person or persons who created the film, game or comic.
Upon viewing the theatrical cut of the film, I was enthralled by seeing new versions of some of my most beloved characters, but at the same time, I saw how these new versions embodied the ideals that I adore about each character. I find it very funny though how right my ideas about this film were, in fact, every flaw that I mention in my review of the theatrical cut, was mostly fixed. Yet what I found even more ironic was nearly everything that I thought was removed, or that what was removed not only muddled the film's true vision but, that everything that was cut made the film's story impossible for the casual viewer to follow.
As a fan and a cinema addict, I can connect the dots with very little, especially when I know the source marital so well, but while I could follow the butchered cut, the response showed that few could. And let’s be honest, there is a huge difference in subtle filmmaking and when a film is butchered because a studio gets nervous out of greed. I find the hate that Zack Snyder receives to be infuriating to be quite honest if you watch his real film's the longer director’s cut's that are put to DVD, most complaints leveled at his films are absent. But for most it is too late, first impressions are the most vital, and if someone walks out disappointed, it's highly unlikely they will ever be able to shake that feeling.
The man knows how to make great film's but the studio rarely has total faith in his vision, while they do release his cut to home video, they do not roll the dice and give his true vision the chance it deserves in cinemas. While the sad Batfleck memes were funny, you can honestly see why he was so melancholy, he knew the film they made, he knows it was butchered and that people would not understand what is the best Superhero film to date.
I had my suspicions that the extended Ultimate Edition would be one of the best DC films, but I only had wishful hopes that it would be the genre-defining masterpiece that it is. I do not say that lightly, this film really is that good and it shows you just how important these kind of films can be, while even at their worst superhero movies can provide a great escape, but at their best they can inspire, and help you understand the world we live in a little better.
While most people may scoff at that statement, it is true. We look to our art to gain perception on our own existence, and just as Zack Snyder says in the behind the scenes feature, superheroes are our modern day myths, they are our legends, sometimes even our religion. We look to them as a way to guide our morals, and we look to our heroes to give us a sense of faith in the world, and something to aspire for. Which is why it is so vital that our heroes are flawed like the rest of us, they should embody those mythic ideals, but they should deal with real human struggles, they should never be perfect.
Batman's arc in BVS: DOJ is simply one of the best that has ever been put to screen, and I think in the age we live in, it has never been more relevant. Batman has seen the evil of the world and been pushed beyond the brink, this is Batman barely holding on. We have simply never seen this side of him on screen. And that is why it is so important, I will spoil the film now so you're warned, by the end of the film Batman has regained what he lost, his faith and hope in the world.
Living in this world, I think anyone with a heart could lose hope just looking online at the state of the world. So seeing that a symbol for so many could lose that hope, and get it back. That is truly inspiring, while it could also be totally corny the film handled things with subtlety and grace. While the theatrical edition never stops to breathe and thus feels too hectic and too muddled, and as such did a major disservice to the story. So much was cut out that what truly makes this film shine, and more than just a loud flashy, brooding good time was lost.
The entire scope of the film was so narrow at the theaters that you truly lost what the film was trying to accomplish beyond being entertaining. While Synder's films may not be uber deep philosophical puzzles, he does know how to make films that are both entertaining and try to invoke a greater sense of emotion. Yet every time he makes a film above the general crap released to theaters, the studio gets nervous and demands unnecessary and damning cuts all in the name of greed. They really truly should have learned their lesson with SuckerPunch, but they once again cut the film to try and ensure its success only to damn it.
Studios do not understand how to make great cinema, when you hire someone who does let them do their work! This film was made with such passion to show how relevant these heroes are. But also how we can still learn from them, how we can draw strength and hope from their stories. People are so quick to judge and act like they could make a better film, and that is not true. They could make a movie they might enjoy more, but that is not the point, cinema is art and you should never concede your art to please a larger audience.
I enjoy bombastic popcorn movies that serve little purpose other than fun, that is still art to me; but when you manage to make something both moving, relevant, inspiring and yes damn entertaining then that is the dream. In the words of a superb artist who was taken far too soon "It's a human need to be told stories. The more we're governed by idiots and have no control over our destinies, the more we need to tell stories to each other about who we are, why we are, where we come from, and what might be possible." (Alan Rickman)
If a hero like Batman can be pushed to the brink by the evils of his world, and come back more hopeful than ever anyone can. The point of a hero is not an infallible perfect being, but someone who strives to simply do what is right, no matter their personal struggles. Everyone has a very different version of their most beloved characters in their head, no adaption in any medium will ever match "YOUR VISION COMPLETELY". At some point fans need to wake up and realize you have to enjoy a film for what it is, or don't watch it.
Here is the thing, this new DC universe is not taking any greater liberties than Nolan's did. As a matter of fact, this Universe is far closer to what is seen in the comics than any other adaption to date. But things were changed, not in terms of what makes these characters who they are; but to tell a new story. Which should be admired, taking such historic story lines and characters and blending it all into a brand new and very relevant tale.
Fan input can be very helpful, but most fans have no idea how to tell a story, they only know what they want to see on screen. Yes, many of the comic story lines are deserving of a straight up adaption, but the thing is, stories are written for the times, and so it becomes necessary to adapt these stories and find that essence and make it meaningful for a new day and age. Sadly, the story that was so masterfully constructed, never got to be seen by a wider audience. This film now is being drug through the mud so much, I doubt anyone will even take this essay seriously. How could the biggest disappointment of the year be the best superhero to date and the best film of the year thus far?
Simple the disappointment is almost entirely on Warner Brothers, Zack Snyder created a phenomenal film that I hope will someday get the respect and admiration it truly deserves. Now I did say almost entirely, that is because "fans" do just as much damage. In this day and age, we have become so vocal and with the level of direct interaction now available in the digital age, fans are heard... But I really wish we were not heard as much. The studio listened to all our bitching and, I believe that the lukewarm reception to the mangled advertising campaign is why they shredded such a powerful film.
Cutting those thirty minutes, cutting the added level of violence and fearing an R rating completely destroyed the emotional impact of the film. With such a hectic pace and never having any room to breathe and simply develop its world and characters, you not only lose out on some terrific moments, but the elements that truly shaped the motivations for each character's actions. When you chop out huge sections of the film you lose the scope and nearly the heart of the film.
It is such a shame that this film was not given the chance it truly deserved, as a Bat-fan I was just as angry when I saw The Dark Knight. I was so disappointed cause that film was so far and away from my ideal Batman. But even then, I knew it was a damn fine film. Personally, it took a long time for me to truly enjoy it, but for many, that is how Batman should be. So why is it so wrong to have another version of the character that is so different, but also feels so familiar. One thing fans need to learn is just cause a film did not meet their expectations does not make it a crap movie. We have become so damn entitled over the past two decades, people used to know how to enjoy a film or a game.
Now it seems people only enjoy shredding things, people only enjoy being as negative as they possibly can be. I guess it is the cool thing to do to hate everything. But that is why I say fuck being cool and just fucking enjoy art, love, cannabis and life.
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