There are moments that make the whole enterprise worthwhile, and introduces an intriguing new Batman. But it’s also cluttered and narratively wonky; a few jokes wouldn’t have gone amiss, either.
Gotham and Metropolis – not Affleck and Henry Cavill – are the true stars of Zack Snyder’s polished superhero showdown.
The fight sequences and explosions are well enough choreographed but can’t help but feel anticlimactic.
Overstuffed, fidgety and fearful, it’s a blockbuster for the less flattering features of our time.
Batman v Superman feels like a superhero film that’s right for the times.
Despite its flaws this film works on its own terms as the inky black visuals and cliff-hanging plot create something that feels true to its comic book origins. It also leaves enough loose ends to keep the franchise running for years to come.
Ben Affleck’s Dark Knight and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman make welcome additions to the newly forged DC Universe, even if the title fight doesn’t quite do justice to its comics heritage.
Caped foes Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill clash in a bid to launch a new superhero franchise, but Zack Snyder’s shoddy tale never gets off the ground.
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General release. Check local listings for show times.