The main problem of this movie is its convoluteness and pacing. The dark tone can work, as Man of Steel shows. But for a movie called Batman v Superman there is too much unnecessary stuff and not enough of Batman and Superman fighting. The action is almost entirely concentrated near the end of the movie. By that I mean that it starts around 1:49 - the point when most movies roll the credits. Before that there is about one notable action sequence - the car chase that ends with Superman stoppong the Batmobile and having a word with Batman. But here we run into another common problem for this film: this scene is cool in itself but it doesn't really move the plot of the movie. Batman's view on Superman doesn't change, Superman's view on Batman doesn't change and the tracker lets Batman get what he wanted anyway. Compare the first Avengers movie. Almost every action scene there was moving the plot: Thor and Iron Man fighting results in Thor joining the heroes, fight on the Helicarrier results in Loki escaping, the team scattered etc. The only action scene that changed basically nothing was... a car chase.
Why did I call it a common problem for this film? In the first 1,5 hours a lot of stuff happens - stuff that's interesting to watch, sure - but it feels like in terms of Bv S conflict they are running in circles. Batman's issues with Superman are established at the beginning - his core motivation when he actually goes into the fight is essentially the same he starts with. As for Superman's issues with Batman not being given enough focus - yeah, that's really necessary when he fights him because Lex Luthor blackmails him into it.
Doomsday would really work better for Man of Steel 2 for several reasons. To put it short, Death of Superman is something that should've been adapted in a movie focusing on Superman. Without DD Wonder Woman could've been cut as well, since her role is basically 1) advertise her future solo film 2) advertise the future JL film and 3) be there for the final fight.
Now, don't get me wrong: the fight IS awesome and Gadot is good. In fact, the whole movie is full of cool visuals and the acting is good in general. Yes, Eisenberg's Lex doesn't have much in common with the original, but he is playing basically who he was told to play: a nutty fussy evil businessman with daddy issues. The problem is the story. They should either have kept the focus entirely on Batman and Superman or just not bothered and done Justice League film right away. No, really. It would have the draw of having Batman and Superman in it too and the rest of the League (barring WW) will have their origins established there anyway.
Despite the aforementioned flaws, this movie is generally an enjoyable experience. However it could've been so much more...
Great visuals, great acting, great everything except the plot
The main problem of this movie is its convoluteness and pacing. The dark tone can work, as Man of Steel shows. But for a movie called Batman v Superman there is too much unnecessary stuff and not enough of Batman and Superman fighting. The action is almost entirely concentrated near the end of the movie. By that I mean that it starts around 1:49 - the point when most movies roll the credits. Before that there is about one notable action sequence - the car chase that ends with Superman stoppong the Batmobile and having a word with Batman. But here we run into another common problem for this film: this scene is cool in itself but it doesn't really move the plot of the movie. Batman's view on Superman doesn't change, Superman's view on Batman doesn't change and the tracker lets Batman get what he wanted anyway. Compare the first Avengers movie. Almost every action scene there was moving the plot: Thor and Iron Man fighting results in Thor joining the heroes, fight on the Helicarrier results in Loki escaping, the team scattered etc. The only action scene that changed basically nothing was... a car chase.
Why did I call it a common problem for this film? In the first 1,5 hours a lot of stuff happens - stuff that's interesting to watch, sure - but it feels like in terms of Bv S conflict they are running in circles. Batman's issues with Superman are established at the beginning - his core motivation when he actually goes into the fight is essentially the same he starts with. As for Superman's issues with Batman not being given enough focus - yeah, that's really necessary when he fights him because Lex Luthor blackmails him into it.
Doomsday would really work better for Man of Steel 2 for several reasons. To put it short, Death of Superman is something that should've been adapted in a movie focusing on Superman. Without DD Wonder Woman could've been cut as well, since her role is basically 1) advertise her future solo film 2) advertise the future JL film and 3) be there for the final fight.
Now, don't get me wrong: the fight IS awesome and Gadot is good. In fact, the whole movie is full of cool visuals and the acting is good in general. Yes, Eisenberg's Lex doesn't have much in common with the original, but he is playing basically who he was told to play: a nutty fussy evil businessman with daddy issues. The problem is the story. They should either have kept the focus entirely on Batman and Superman or just not bothered and done Justice League film right away. No, really. It would have the draw of having Batman and Superman in it too and the rest of the League (barring WW) will have their origins established there anyway.
Despite the aforementioned flaws, this movie is generally an enjoyable experience. However it could've been so much more...