Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 153 minutes
Director: Zack Snyder
Writers: Bob Kane and Bill Fingers (Batman created by), Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Superman created by), Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer (screenplay)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishbourne, Holly Hunter, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Callan Mulvey, Scoot McNairy

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be released in Australia on March 24 (distributed by Roadshow Films) and March 25 in the United States ( Warner Bros.)

July 20 2013,Comic-Con, San Diego: Warner Bros. made the announcement that two of the greatest superheroes of our time, Batman and Superman will finally meet for the first time on the big screen with Man of Steel director, Zack Snyder at the helm. This announcement was as good as a dream come true for superhero and comic fans alike and much caution and excitement ensued.....as well as a Twitter storm with the news that Ben Affleck would replace Christian Bale as the Dark Knight.

March 2016: As predicted, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is indeed a dream come true for superhero fans...or close to it. With the obvious elements that these devotees come to expect and desire from such a film, Batman v Superman is entertaining and action-packed with superb CGI, production design and sound editing. However, for those who are not amused by the specifics of the superhero genre, Snyder's latest film will be a drawn out piece of silliness that lacks a tight-knit, convincing screenplay.

18 months after Superman's (Henry Cavill) last great battle in Metropolis, he is still being judged for bringing destruction and devastation to the city rather than being hailed a hero, which is what his alter ego, Clark Kent and fellow Daily Planet reporter, Lois Lane (Amy Adams) are still out to prove to the world. One who has witnessed the pain and suffering that Superman unleashed on the city is a man with his own secrets, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). The rivalry between Batman and Superman is unleashed with neither being prepared for the danger that the eccentric, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) is about the unleash into the world.

While Batman v Superman is a vast improvement on 2013's Man of Steel, it is far from a perfect film. Yet, one has to ponder whether a film where these two larger than life characters meet and do battle could even have had a chance at pleasing absolutely everyone? Judging the film for what it is, it does exactly what it sets out to achieve which is to entertain and provide enjoyment, especially to those of the DC fandom. As one has come to expect from a Snyder film, the CGI is incredible and the production design of Metropolis incredibly detailed. The fight sequences are carefully choreographed and highly entertaining. Hans Zimmer's incredible score adds a great deal to the film as it provides a heightened sense of tension, but also celebration of the characters.

However, even loyalists will still be able to identify the film's faults that those indifferent to superhero films will see and dislike Batman v Superman for. The obvious obstacle of any project which involves two or more protagonists is how to keep more than one storyline flowing without overbalancing or falling into the state of too much happening at once. Unfortunately, Batman v Superman commits both of these crimes, but it is obvious that screenwriters Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer were trying hard to avoid this. The beginning and end of the film feel extremely cluttered, especially the finale which drags the film out losing momentum in the process. As with other multi-protagonist films, this clutter leads to the loss of depth, emotion and connection with the characters.

This is how Batman v Superman becomes Batman's film, rather than a film about Batman and Superman equally. Try as they might for the film to find a balance between the two, Bruce Wayne/Batman is far more interesting to watch than Clark Kent/Superman and one cares more for him than they do Superman, yet it should be the other way around. Bruce Wayne is a ghost of who he once was having separated himself from meaningful relationships to avoid further pain, while Clark Kent is very emotionally invested with the women in his life. Therefore one would expect to feel more from Cavill's Clark Kent/Superman than they do. Snyder's direction of Cavill in both Man of Steel and Batman v Superman has certainly left a lot to be desired. Cavill has a greater emotional range as an actor than what we have seen as of late and the film even calls for great emotion in several scenes, but instead we see a lifeless figure who lacks charisma and on-screen chemistry with his fellow actors.

On the other hand, it is the melancholy and dark temperament of Ben Affleck's Batman that steals the show from his red-caped rival. Like all good Batmans before him, Affleck has a grand screen presence as both the Dark Knight and Bruce Wayne. Yet he is far more cynical and darker than those that have come before him and it is a welcomed change as a result of Affleck's strong performance. Fans will also enjoy the return of the Batman gadgets in the cave and also the witty performance of Jeremy Irons as Alfred.

Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor also outshines that who has always been his traditional rival. While one is used to seeing Luthor as an arrogant businessman obsessed with his fortune, the Luthor in Batman v Superman is a much younger and eccentric figure. He does not come across as dangerous in the same way as a traditional villain, but rather dangerous in a way that he is so mentally unstable and quirky that it is terrifying to think what he is actually capable of.

The screenplay provides some wonderful dialogue driven scenes, particularly where Lex Luthor is involved. However, some of the ideas implemented to help move the story along are quite ridiculous and one feels as though Terrio and Goyer were clutching at straws trying to reac the story's desired outcome. The holes that are left and questions that remain unanswered by the end of the film are indeed menacing. However, what the Batman v Superman screenplay does do well is tie the film in with the rest of the DC universe, in particular the Justice League. It introduces the characters which will grace our cinema screens in November 2017 in a way which evokes intrigue and excitement, particularly that of Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot. Wonder Woman, as her alter ego Diana Prince, is a woman of mystery to both the characters on screen and those watching. The build up to her transformation is very well done and her eventual transformation perfect.

Despite it's misgivings, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will still entertain and delight fans of the two superheroes. For those who are not lovers of the universe in which superheroes belong to, it's misgivings may be unforgivable.

6/10

Contagion (2011)

Contagion

Year: 2011

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard

Before I begin my review………

Contagion is not a movie for hypochondriacs or those who are obsessive compulsive.

If you think you are sick all the time and are constantly worried that you are going to catch something somehow, Contagion will only fuel the fire.

I don’t consider myself a hypochondriac or obsessive compulsive, but this movie had the ability to make me paranoid. When Kate Winslet’s character, Dr Erin Mears said “The average person touches their face 3000 times a day”, I immediately became aware of how many times I touched my face or whenever someone around me did.

One of the first signs of the virus in the film is the presence of a cough. There were some coughers in the cinema, and my heart skipped a beat every time I heard one of them.

I suppose these reactions I had to the film are just an indication of how realistic Contagion is. It is now a few hours since I saw the film and the more time elapses, the more disturbing I find it. The dislodging of your emotions in a film is always a sign of a good film. You may enjoy the film or not, but the fact is that if a film makes you feel a way you weren’t feeling when you walked in the cinema, then it is doing something right.

Review……..

Contagion is Steven Soderbergh back to his best.

Soderbergh rejuvenates his ability to unsettle his audience while they are completely unaware as they are completely taken by his brilliant film-making skills.

Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns from a business trip to Hong Kong with what she thinks is a bad case of the flu combined with jet lag. It is clearly not, as Beth and her young son both collapse into seizures and die within a few days. Her husband, Mitch (Matt Damon) is determined to find out what happened to his wife. The virus spreads rapidly around the globe and with millions affected and scientists cannot find a cure quick enough.

Although Contagion can be considered a suspense film, the film goes deeper than just being a race against the disease. Contagion is a scary dose of the mortality of humans and how society acts when faced with their mortality.  The realism in the film is incredible. Soderbergh’s direction makes you feel like you are right there when everything happens.

However, Contagion does lack something which a suspense film normally excels at, pace.  The first half of the film is the perfect pace, while the second half completely slows down and makes it feel longer than its 106 minutes. Yet this is Soderbergh taking time to show the stages society goes through and what the virus does to each of the characters emotionally.  This period of the film does come across as a time where not much is really happening, but look deeper to see what Contagion is really trying to tell you.

The musical score is fantastic and completely suits the atmosphere of the film. The beginning sequence of the film is the perfect way to begin the film and heightens your curiousity and interest straight away.

There is not one actor who puts in a bad performance in Contagion. Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and Laurence Fishburne are perfect in their roles, but these three actors seem to be a rare breed of actor who can clearly just not give a bad performance.

Jude Law is also a real stand out with a role which is very different to his usual role. His character of Alan Krumwiede is very interesting. He plays the part well of the “journalist” who completely takes advantage of the situation, or so it seems.

Matt Damon is probably the only lead actor who you feel could have given more in his role. He isn’t quite as grief stricken as he should be considering his wife and stepson have just died. The relationship with his daughter, Jory played by newcomer, Anna Jacoby-Heron, doesn’t seem at all realistic. However, Jacoby-Heron is one to watch out for.

Contagion may not be a film for those who are worried about their mortality and health and will unsettle you, but there is no denying that it is very well made and a piece of art.

8/10

Predators

Predators
Year: 2010
Director: Nimrod Antal
Cast: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Laurence Fishbourne

In My Own Words
From what I’ve heard, “Predator” was a classic, “Predator 2” wasn’t bad and “Alien vs Predator” was good entertainment value. From what I have seen, “Alien vs Predator- Requiem” was awful and “Predators”.....well, let’s just say from that my personal viewing of anything to do with “Predator” has been less than satisfactory. I’m almost embarrassed to say that I haven’t seen the first “Predator”, but my experience with the phenomenon hasn’t made me excited about the prospect of doing so. It just seems like a series of movies that has been going on too long. However I guess it is making money still as it is 3rd at the US box office as we speak so why not? Keep the money rolling! I know what all the “Predator” movies have been missing.....Arnie.

One thing this movie did do for me is it made me look forward to some of the movies that are coming out in Australia in the next few weeks. Who else is excited about “Knight & Day”, “Inception” and “Salt”? I am particularly excited about “Inception” and it is one movie I will be truly distraught about if it doesn’t live up to my expectations. It seems that even though Blockbuster season is drawing to a close, there are still some highly anticipated films heading our way. And let’s not forget “Despicable Me” which is at the top of the US box office at the moment!

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
Action galore and not much more. It seems like a perfect tagline for this movie as it tells you everything you need to know. Actually, there is a lot of another thing, the “f” word. Though I guess that word would be pretty appropriate if you had the Predator following you around. The film begins with Royce (Adrien Brody) free falling unconscious and waking up in panic before releasing a parachute. He lands in the middle of an unknown jungle and he is not the only one in the same situation. He is one of eight who have no idea where they are or how they got there. It is not long before they figure out that they are not the only ones in the jungle, yet they are the only humans.

If you are after a mindless action movie, then this is it. There is a complete lack of depth in the story. There are holes all over the place and quite a few unanswered questions. Jokes that are supposed to be funny and just aren’t. There is also a lack of suspense and feeling of dread that should be present in this film. It is not entirely predictable, but there is no thirst to find out what happens next. Director Nimrod Antal must have decided that he would use the musical score to make up for the lack of script, as there seems to be background movie for well over half the movie trying to build up the suspense. So much so that it seems like it is a complete overuse of music. In the films defence, it is supposed to be an action film based purely on the terrifying creatures. It isn’t supposed to be a very in depth film as that is never what the previous “Predator” movies were about. The special effects are very impressive and fans of the old “Predator” movies will be happy to know that that part of the movie has not changed, and are obviously more superior than they were back in 1987.

“Predators” is a strange choice of film for actor Adrien Brody. It is unlike any other movie he has ever done. It is far from his best work, but he is far from the worst thing about this film. He gives a strong performance and is extremely intense throughout the film. He is not your typical action hero, but pulls it off nevertheless, once again showing his versatility and capabilities. Laurence Fishbourne pulls off a strange and unsettling performance, as does Topher Grace.

Again, there is not much to this film. “Predator” fans will be disappointed that the first time in 20 years that they are seeing these creatures of fear without aliens is not the true thrill that they would expect it to be. To watch this movie, you need to be leave all need for a well written script and storyline behind and be in it for the special effects. Those creatures aren’t even close to being as terrifying as what they should be.
3.5/10