Batman V Superman: The Man Of Steel We Deserve Or Need?

Just moments ago, the newest trailer for Zack Snyder’s upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was released EARLY to the public. In keeping with the supposed theme of Man of Steel and our most recent Thanksgiving holiday, let us take a moment to consider what we can be both thankful and hopeful for.

First, to get the obvious out of the way, we’re fortunate enough to live in a time when our cinematic wizardry can produce exactly what Superman can do in stunning realism; flight, strength, heat vision, the whole works. Even when compared to the Bryan Singer version not to mention the Richard Donner version, today we really do “believe a man can fly.”

Looking at this trailer, the Nolan-esque cinematography, fight choreography between man and Kryptonian, and the whole spectrum of Superman powers all look pretty spectacular. Furthermore, there is a slight glimmer of playfulness, of levity from Cavill which is exceptionally welcomed change of tone.

Second, Ben Affleck’s Batman has the potential to be the best Dark Knight yet. Confidence is high that at this point even the most incompetent of producers helming BvS are smart enough to take note from Batman and Robin, and say, “It appears that the fans don’t want that,” and then look to the Nolan films and agree, “Fans want more of this.” By the looks of the trailer, they are certainly doubling down on a dark, gritty, karate chop your larynx out Batman. We’re also going to take the, “But Affleck was in Daredevil and that sucked,” argument and bury that dead horse right here.

Suffice to say, with his multiple Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Awards jammed into his utility belt, there is no question that the man knows how to work given the right material. Drawing special attention towards his awards for Best Supporting Actor (Shakespeare in Love, and Hollywoodland) one of Mr. Affleck’s strengths is tying an ensemble cast together. Which leads us to our next Pro…

Wonder Woman is finally on screen to complete the hallowed DC Trinity. In this new trailer, she looks insanely awesome; deflecting a blast from our first look at Zod/Doomsday like it was nothing, Gal Godot  is certainly looking the part. That three figure shot was just hands down killer.

Also, Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor Jr. is shaping up be what can only be described as a crazed or evil Willy Wonka; there’s a manic energy to him that’s almost unnerving. His shifting tone from playful drunk at a party with Bruce and Clark, to belittling prick towards Lois Lane might just work as a billionaire mad scientist.

Speaking of which, as predicted by some, we have our Doomsday courtesy of Lex Luthor playing god. This move may be in character for Lex Luthor, and the look of Doomsday doesn’t look half bad, but there’s still something that just doesn’t sit right.

Now for the hard part; weighing the good against the potential set up for disappointment. It would be ridiculous to set aside all our prejudice and simply accept this trailer for what it is; a tease at a Superman story we haven’t seen before and don’t have a full understanding of yet. Unfortunately, that creeping and uneasy sensation that Superman fans are experiencing right now is difficult to ignore, and here’s why…

This doesn’t feel like Superman. Sure, Man of Steel argues that as a new superhero, Superman needed to learn the lesson not to kill. As stupid as that argument may be, the creators of this franchise are sticking with a Superman who was raised without the sage wisdom and moral guidance of Pa Kent.

One’s gotta ask themselves, is this really the Superman we wanted, or asked for? There’s an infamous video of Kevin Smith and his experience with Producers and their understanding of Superman as “savage killer.” But that was supposed to be a joke, right? Or is a neck snapping, city destroying, psychopath the version of Superman Zack Snyder and his super friends think we deserve? Either way, the bitter after taste left in some fans mouths is still sticking around and it’s uncertain if a rinsing of Bat-Listerine will wash that out of fans collective psyches.

Certainly, the spectacle of the film looks impressive. But, when we get a trailer that still highlights a scowling, (prisoner taking?), and face melting Superman as part of it’s sizzle reel, how excited can we get for a Superman that still doesn’t feel like Superman?

I’ve read, played, and watched my Superman: Red Son, and Injustice: God’s Among Us, and Superman: The Animated Series episode “Legacy part I and II;” there is definitely an aspect of fun and curiosity in seeing Superman as a villain. However, I’d argue that fun comes from a place of understanding who the real Superman is; an incorruptible, all powerful force for good.

I’d like to have hope that maybe this film will turn the image of Man of Steel towards the character we’ve known and grew up with, and maybe that hope will pay off. We’ve certainly waited long enough for an adaptation of the three most iconic superheroes to be done some justice. 

In the meantime, I’m going to re-watch Max Landis’ pitch for a real Superman film; maybe not the sequel we deserve, but the Superman movie we need.