The wait is over. The superhero event of the year is finally here. “Batman V Superman” emerges as a blockbuster that is compelling, well crafted and perfectly cast. As someone who had no idea what to expect from Ben Affleck as the caped crusader, I now emit a huge sigh of relief. Without spoiling too much, I think Ben Affleck IS Batman and he is here to stay. That’s not to say that the movie is without flaws. I still find director Zach Snyder’s approach ponderous at times (see “Watchmen” and “Man of Steel”), especially with so much exposition to do and so many characters to develop. But credit Snyder and his screenwriters Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer (who also wrote “Man of Steel”) for trying to do the impossible in a superhero epic: take us somewhere we haven’t been before. Among its prime assets are the new role of a lunatic Lex Luthor created for Jesse Einsenberg, who did an excellent job in my opinion, and a memorable role for veteran actor Jeremy Irons, who brings his A game as the devoted butler Alfred. Gal Gadot has fun with her character who eventually turns out to be Wonder Woman, and Henry Cavill is still the solid Superman he was in “Man of Steel”. They are joined by a superior ensemble including Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne and Holly Hunter. I still wish the movie didn’t take so many storytelling detours, but I’m willing to forgive that because Snyder gives us such a terrific second act. I’m not only talking about the pulse pounding battle scenes so much as the grand finale that brings every character full-circle in the most satisfying way imaginable. For that alone, Snyder should earn the gratitude of comic book fans around the world. Now I can’t wait to see where all these characters go next.
Rating: 3/4
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