Written by William G Chandler Jr., April 12, 2016, at 11:35 a.m.
Batman v Superman Did Not Have to Happen
In 1978, as indicated by the Internet Movie Database, The Incredible Hulk stuns the world with its portrayal of a monster, and a man, in conflict. In 2016, Marvel has two, independent, cinematic Hulk creations, and numerous properties and animations, for the same character. Batman v Superman did not have to come. Films like this one have to meet too many demands. The producers need to make something that is going to make money and meets their values. The film also has characters that must meet public expectations, and create a mass appeal.
Batman v Superman, for what it is, tries, and meets many expectations, but does create a puzzle. This puzzle piece, as part of a series of films, tells part of a whole story. This story is simple. Batman v Superman, the first part, is a reaction. It starts with the reaction of a man who loses his parents and becomes a caped anti-hero. An alien, with special abilities, realizes the world does not accept him and wonders why the world would accept a dangerous man in a bat suit. A woman comes from the unknown to secure information and pieces of a past we do not understand yet. Finally, a son becomes an heir to a great father and must make his own legacy.
Batman v Superman plays out in a messed up way, but it happened, and it was decent. We all saw Green Lantern. What would have happened if Green Lantern had less time on Earth, and more time creating Detective Comics, space, conflicts, and rules? We all saw Steel. That is all I have to say about that.
What about the League of Extraordinary Men? I like it for my own reasons, but others do not. It just seems like there has to be more of a consensus, by all sides, as these films go forward. Producers cannot intervene as much. Comic fans can see their characters, but know the comic versions will be the most accurate. Mass appeal can sit back and enjoy. The start of this film felt good.
The world’s questions about Superman, Batman’s actions, and Wonder Woman’s sleuthing all create character purpose. As it gets to the conflict between Batman and Superman, the reason for their battle could have been closer to the comics’ reasoning. The end of the film just seems like it could have been better. I like that Doomsday is in the film.
However, in the film universe, General Zod had purpose taken away. That character could have had an impact on Doomsday’s psyche. No one should have died. The idea of a threat indicates the need for a group of special people to defend the planet. Lex needs to have his own dream sequence with his father. He needs to reflect that sense of the peak of human perfection. He should conflict with the big bad. Hope that deleted scenes highlight the rest.
Batman v Superman Featurette by Superhero Feed