Zack Snyder’s Batman V Superman

So finally here it is, the clash of the two pop culture titans going head to head. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice marks the first time  that these title characters have shared space in a live action film.

It’s been nearly two years since Superman’s (Henry Cavill) colossal battle with Zod (Michael Shannon) devastated the city of Metropolis. The loss of life and collateral damage left many feeling angry and helpless, including crime-fighting billionaire Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Convinced that Superman is now a threat to humanity, Batman embarks on a personal vendetta to end his reign on Earth, while the conniving Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) launches his own crusade against the Man of Steel.

                      

Zack Snyder’s (Man of Steel, 300) , bombastic action style is full on display in the film espescially in the fight scenes. The direction is very good in parts. Coming to the writing, the film is written by David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio. There was absolutely no character development of Batman as well as the plot seems a little weak. Although I appreciate the writers including mythological and political themes into this superhero film I feel only if they had worked on character development and the plot, it would’ve been a far superior film. Chris Terrio’s dialogues were the highlight and saving grace. The editing is uneven which disrupts the pace of the film. The cinematography by Larry Fong is brilliant, there are many noteworthy shots (shot on film stock and not on digital). It would be a miss to leave out a compliment for the best part of the film: the background score. Hans Zimmer teams up with Junkie XL for one of the most compelling scores in the history.

Ben Affleck does a fine job as the new caped crusader but it is the writing, the character development which really sucked. Here the Batman isn’t analytical nor a good detective. I’ll quote my friend who after the screening said “Ben Affleck makes a very good Bruce Wayne but not Batman”. Henry Cavill gives his best as Superman, although his character is one dimensional. Gal Gadot as the Wonder Woman makes the most of her screen time. I would be lying if  I’d  say that Jesse Eisenberg wasn’t wildly entertaining as Lex Luthor. It is a very unique take on the character portraying him as young, ego-centric genius who thrives on power. There are moments where he is comparable to Heath Ledger’s Joker, manipulative schemes and jestful delivery. Jeremy Irons makes a fantastic Alfred Pennyworth.

It is clearly evident that the the makers had a bigger picture in mind which they could not exactly pull off because they were burdened with introducing so many heroes and villains. Despite so many characters sharing screen space it lack the magic of something new. I wanted to like this movie, heck I wanted to love it. I enjoyed Man of Steel, I didn’t hate this movie but it was boring, less gritty and less exciting. It is a beautiful-hollow movie.

Rating- 3/5

-Sanjeet Singh

 

 

‘Zootopia’ review

Zootopia is nothing like your average Disney movie. In fact it is the most fun animated movie since “Kung fu Panda”. Zootopia is surprisingly and often delightfully specific about its far-from-buried subtext, about the way different groups share certain spaces in this world.

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together-a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

The direction by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush is top notch as the story transitions between comedic acts and a multi-layered procedural mystery-drama. The new adventure of Disney not only surprises for its visual beauty also fascinates for its fast connectivity with history is top notch as the story transitions between comedic acts and a multi-layered procedural. Screenwriters Jared Bush and Paul Johnston carefully construct a world, predicated upon a particular dream, and within that world, populate it with a variety of characters.

It doesn’t take a scholar to see that rabbits represent women in society, while predators represent minorities. Zootopia wears it’s intentions on it’s sleeves, it is a film about both racism and sexism, two features of society that will probably never going away so long as humans exist.The vocal cast is unparalleled with Goodwin, Bateman, Idris Elba and JK Simmons providing the best performances in an animated movie since Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson and Holly Hunter in The Incredibles (2004).

The film so timely and relevant it’s almost startling. Zootopia may frankly be the most complete, organic, emotionally resonant, socially relevant, incredibly funny film to ever come out of Disney aka the studio that has pretty much monopolized on our entertainment.I love this movie. It’s beautifully rendered, smartly executed, and shockingly timely.

Rating- 4/5

-Sanjeet Singh