Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice – Ultimate Edition Review
By Eric Urmanita
Warning: Spoilers to follow
All right, it’s been two months since the film’s release on DVD and Blu-Ray, and I have finally gotten around to put my two cents into this thing.
So, when Batman V Superman first opened in theaters, it was released to a wide load of mixed responses. For the most part, the reviews were pretty vicious. And then of course, there are those who adamantly loved it and are willing to go to great lengths to defend it.
Where do I stand on the spectrum of things? Well, I did post a small review of the theatrical on Facebook here the second time I saw it. Here is that review.
“The story unfortunately, is not a very strong one. While it is there, the themes and morals it tries to convey are not very well played out to their potential. Which is a shame, because this movie truly did have potential. Editing and pacing wise, it's still pretty well done. Just nothing to write home about. It is a visual spectacle. This is something that Zack Snyder is very good at. He and the film's cinematographer Larry Fong definitely have made a great visual piece. If only Zack Snyder could work on what really matters: story and characterization. Oh, and how about some COLOR too. What still remains excellent for me are Ben Affleck's Batman (he is by far the best live-action Batman I've seen), Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman (whose solo film I really am eager to see and I really wish she was in this movie more), and the action scenes, which Zack Snyder is indeed very good at. And the acting is very strong, and very powerful as well despite the dialogue. At least I believe so. Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor is still a huge miscast. Overall, while the film most certainly has problems, there was still enough for me to really enjoy and like it. On an out of 5 rating, 5 being "I'd like to thank the Academy", and 1 being "What the serious ****?!?".....I give it a 3/5: "Not bad. Good film. Needs improvement but good start."”
Before I go any further, here’s the thing. I wasn’t expecting this movie to be a masterpiece. I was just hoping it to be a solid comic book movie. And I honestly think it did for various parts. Now, I have said this in the past and I will say it again: while I do genuinely like this movie, I can still do a 180° and tell you all the problems this movie has. That’s what separates me from the fanboys who will blindly fight back the haters: I can like things, point out the flaws, and still like the things I like. That’s the thing since I decided to become a filmmaker and being in film school for a couple of years now: I’ve come to analyze films more critically and form opinions based on my observations. And at the end of the day, it’s really just a matter of opinion. Most people I personally know truly did not like Batman V Superman, while only a select few I know really liked it. Heck, just go onto Facebook and read the comment sections and threads of people b******g back and forth (which is yet another constant reminder that fanboys only make things worst), and that the arguments are so pointless. Because, again, the only opinion that really matters is your own. Don’t let someone tell you otherwise, and/or don’t be discouraged by an aggregated percentage on Rotten Tomatoes (seriously, I still cannot believe the fanboys that petitioned to shut the site down). Bottom line, if you like something, then by all means, go ahead and like it. If you don’t like something, that’s also perfectly fine.
But I digress.
So, naturally, when it was announced that an extended version of the film was announced, complete with 30 minutes more of footage and an R-rating for violence, I was intrigued to say the least. So, the first day the movie came out on Blu-Ray (complete with a digital copy), I went and bought myself a copy. I watched the digital copy on my own, and then waited to see if anyone wanted to join me in watching the Blu-Ray. Unfortunately, I had to return to college before I got the chance, so I watched the Blu-Ray by myself (like I usually do. Sad, I know).
The general consensus for the Ultimate Edition seems to be that it’s a better version than the theatrical cut, being a more coherent story and filling in some of the major gaps, plus character motivations, development, and portrayal are better depicted. So, did everything ring true? Was the Ultimate Edition truly a better version of the film?
Well, yes and no.
First off, calling this movie the “Ultimate Edition” is ridiculous, because they make it sound like this is the best thing in the history of cinema. This is, and will always be to me: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice – Director’s Cut. Because this is what this version is: the director’s cut. And while Zack Snyder is still not the best director in the world, he’s still by far not the worst director either because that man can still pull off some darn fine visuals and he genuinely has made some good movies in the past, such as 300 and Watchmen.
But let’s move onto the film itself.
Right away, the one thing that’s greatly explored more is the North Africa sequence. Pretty much everything surrounding the North Africa sequence because it ties into Lex Luthor’s motivations, actually. We see Lex’s mercenaries actually perform the actions meant to be blamed on Superman play out, and we later find out that the woman who spoke to the committee was bribed by Luthor to badmouth Superman and further destroy his reputation; Said woman also decides to blow the whistle on Luthor, but gets killed as a consequence. Furthermore, we see that the crippled man, Wallace Keefe, that blows up the Senate hearing actually didn’t intend to blow it up, and that it was once again Lex Luthor’s design. Still, even if Lex Luthor’s motivations are made more clear, it doesn’t quite excuse them from the fact that Lex’s plan still kind of sucks.
Also, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. What the **** even.
Lois Lane’s storyline is more elaborated on, and she’s no longer just there. She actually helps move the plot along. She’s the one who finds out Wallace Keefe was framed and her investigation into the Africa incident does move the plot forward. She’s still kind of not super important in the movie, but at least she’s just not there and does serves a purpose. I should point out that one of the scientists she works with is the character played by Jena Malone, who ultimately really did not need to be in this movie.
The biggest glaring difference this time around is that Superman actually has more of an arc and character development. We get to see Clark Kent go to Gotham and actually form his own views on the Batman instead of him just pulling these views straight out of nowhere. Heck, Superman actually helps people injured in the Senate bombing, making him come off more as a hero and not just some guy with powers standing around and moping. The more explored Superman portions of the plot really make this more balanced between the titular characters. And in the end, the extra footage really puts Superman in a more positive light.
The overall story of the film is overall genuinely better. It is indeed more coherent with all the aforementioned reasons and it definitely feels and looks more of a film. However, the story is just average now as a result. At least it’s better than being too terribly executed.
I find the film’s editing still about the same: pretty good, just nothing to write home about. The cinematography is still gorgeous. That’s it.
Like I said before in the original review, Ben Affleck has proven himself to be one heck of a Batman. His killing criminals aside, I find his Batman more true to the original comic book version than I did the previous portrayals. Heck, even those I know who hated this movie really thought his performance was excellent. He’s tied with Christian Bale at this point since I still need to see more of him in action. But Kevin Conroy still takes the title as the best Batman actor overall.
Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman remains powerful and beautiful, and her chemistry with Ben Affleck’s Batman still remains a great highlight of the film.
One thing I definitely like about this movie after seeing it is the score. Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL really delivered on making some of the most powerful and emotional music I’ve heard in a motion picture. Again, another thing that people who hated BvS actually liked as well.
So, yeah. Overall, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice – Director’s Cut is indeed the better version of the film. While it still has plenty of flaws and is by all means nowhere near a masterpiece and runs a bit longer, if you can push the running time aside, I believe that it is worth the watch. It does make me wonder how the criticism would have been had this version been the actual one released in theaters. Maybe it would have gotten more of a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. But it’s just my opinion. And I get why it wasn’t the version released: longer running time meant fewer screenings and an R-rating would scare audiences away. I will say this though: if you didn’t like the theatrical cut, then you may not like this cut either. But you never know, really. And that’s perfectly okay.
After seeing this cut, I am going to change my rating for the theatrical cut. I ultimately will give the theatrical cut a 2/5, while the director’s cut gets the original 3/5. Add in an extra .1 point due to my personal enjoyment, and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice – Director’s Cut gets an official 3.1/5.
Alright, glad I finally got that review out of the way. This will be the first in a couple long-overdue movie reviews I have wanted to do this year. The next long overdue review will be on a certain movie that I enjoyed more than any other movie this year. Until then, thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you all later!
