Despite overwhelmingly negative reviews and mixed fan reaction, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice earned a massive $424 million dollars worldwide this weekend, with $170 million of that coming from North America. This total is somewhat influenced by the fact that BvS opened in more countries simultaneously than is typical of a big budget blockbuster movie, but there's no denying its massive success. It's fairly certain now that it will join the billion-dollar club, meeting WB's hopes and expectations for the lead-in to their other franchise movies.
Amidst all the hate the movie is receiving (of which I am a participant), it's easy to forget that many movies that get terrible reviews end up with massive box office totals. Many of us had become so accustomed to the overlap of quality and financial success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that it was easy to forget that movies like Transformers and the Star Wars prequels earned huge box office returns. Mainstream moviegoers usually don't care what critics say, and are looking for a different kind of escapist entertainment for their dollar. These are the silent majority, who don't post online about their satisfaction with a movie, but show up based on trailers and their own visceral instinct of what they want to see.
There's no denying that BvS is full of pretty special effects to look at, though I wonder whether average audiences found themselves bored in the first hour of the film, which is almost entirely devoid of 'splosions. I also wonder, for those who don't actually analyze films or study the craft of moviemaking, if they found themselves not enjoying the movie as much as they hoped, even if they aren't able to articulate why. Or, on the other hand, do they just love it despite all its flaws because they're looking for nothing more than a passing adrenaline rush fueled by effects and violence?
It would be arrogant for me to suggest that positive reaction to a movie that's reviled by critics and hardcore fans is "wrong" or "idiotic." I do my best to avoid that inclination. My dissatisfaction with a movie shouldn't be the standard by which everyone else's tastes are measured. And while I find BvS to be a deeply flawed movie devoid of the spirit of the comic books and iconic characters from which it is sprung, I guess a lot of people don't see it that way.
Is there anything to like about Batman v Superman, besides Wonder Woman as I mentioned in my last post? I guess. I liked Jeremy Irons' Alfred just fine, even though I prefer Michael Caine. I liked some of the imagery associated with Bruce Wayne, such as the design of the Batcave and the burned-down Wayne Manor. The actual Batman v Superman fight was good-- Zack Snyder has no problem creating incredible imagery and action sequences-- despite being such a small part of a movie that's billed as being all about that rivalry. And I liked some of the soundtrack, Wonder Woman's theme in particular.
My biggest regret is that the huge amount of money that BvS is going to make will convince WB that they are on the right track-- that Zack Snyder is the right creative overseer of the DC Cinematic Universe, that the dark tone of these films is the way to go, and that stuffing these movies with light shows while story takes a back seat to action equals a successful franchise. I'm curious to see how much those elements bleed over into the films that are not directed by Snyder, such as Wonder Woman. In the Marvel movies, there is a balance between individual directorial control and a mandated adherence to the overall vision for the franchise, which has occasionally resulted in directors being ousted from the films.
Because I'm not a cynic at heart, I will continue to take each of these movies as their own entities and approach them with an open mind. It's safe to say my enthusiasm has been severely dampened, but I'm still hopeful about Wonder Woman in particular, and as a DC fan, I'll be there for Suicide Squad and the rest of them.
Amidst all the hate the movie is receiving (of which I am a participant), it's easy to forget that many movies that get terrible reviews end up with massive box office totals. Many of us had become so accustomed to the overlap of quality and financial success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that it was easy to forget that movies like Transformers and the Star Wars prequels earned huge box office returns. Mainstream moviegoers usually don't care what critics say, and are looking for a different kind of escapist entertainment for their dollar. These are the silent majority, who don't post online about their satisfaction with a movie, but show up based on trailers and their own visceral instinct of what they want to see.
There's no denying that BvS is full of pretty special effects to look at, though I wonder whether average audiences found themselves bored in the first hour of the film, which is almost entirely devoid of 'splosions. I also wonder, for those who don't actually analyze films or study the craft of moviemaking, if they found themselves not enjoying the movie as much as they hoped, even if they aren't able to articulate why. Or, on the other hand, do they just love it despite all its flaws because they're looking for nothing more than a passing adrenaline rush fueled by effects and violence?
It would be arrogant for me to suggest that positive reaction to a movie that's reviled by critics and hardcore fans is "wrong" or "idiotic." I do my best to avoid that inclination. My dissatisfaction with a movie shouldn't be the standard by which everyone else's tastes are measured. And while I find BvS to be a deeply flawed movie devoid of the spirit of the comic books and iconic characters from which it is sprung, I guess a lot of people don't see it that way.
Is there anything to like about Batman v Superman, besides Wonder Woman as I mentioned in my last post? I guess. I liked Jeremy Irons' Alfred just fine, even though I prefer Michael Caine. I liked some of the imagery associated with Bruce Wayne, such as the design of the Batcave and the burned-down Wayne Manor. The actual Batman v Superman fight was good-- Zack Snyder has no problem creating incredible imagery and action sequences-- despite being such a small part of a movie that's billed as being all about that rivalry. And I liked some of the soundtrack, Wonder Woman's theme in particular.
My biggest regret is that the huge amount of money that BvS is going to make will convince WB that they are on the right track-- that Zack Snyder is the right creative overseer of the DC Cinematic Universe, that the dark tone of these films is the way to go, and that stuffing these movies with light shows while story takes a back seat to action equals a successful franchise. I'm curious to see how much those elements bleed over into the films that are not directed by Snyder, such as Wonder Woman. In the Marvel movies, there is a balance between individual directorial control and a mandated adherence to the overall vision for the franchise, which has occasionally resulted in directors being ousted from the films.
Because I'm not a cynic at heart, I will continue to take each of these movies as their own entities and approach them with an open mind. It's safe to say my enthusiasm has been severely dampened, but I'm still hopeful about Wonder Woman in particular, and as a DC fan, I'll be there for Suicide Squad and the rest of them.
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