Snapping at “The Yawn of Justice”

Here’s my take on BvS: Dawn of Justice..

To begin with, I’d like to make a few things clear. This entire article will majorly be split into four parts as a whole- The Introduction, My Expectations, My Comments and a Conclusion. So while you’re pack through this introduction, I would also like to say that I do acknowledge the fact that I am perhaps “late” at posting a review or a comment about the film but having only seen it yesterday (Sunday the 28th) the movie is still pretty clear in my mind. Also, the apparent rage regarding the “Yawn of Justice” all over the Internet couldn’t leave me at peace without having to get all of this off my chest.

So, fortunately, I’m late enough to comment on the spoilers, which I shall, because you should’ve seen it by now, if not, don’t worry. Just keep reading. I am also not going to “rate” the movie on any basis because I’d like to make it extremely clear that these opinions are mine and ratings are subjective and rather a distraction.

This article shall also be updated whenever I find the need and I’ve posted a few questions of my own, so do leave a comment and maybe your opinion can fill a few gaps.

A final note before you proceed would be that in no sense of the word am I a “fan” of the comics of either DC or Marvel. I’m largely unfamiliar with the base and pretty much know only as much as the others who claim to be ardent followers.

These were MY EXPECTATIONS –

(Expectations here is a loosely used word. You can call them stuff that I had in mind before I watched the movie and thus had a fair idea of what to expect.)

• The DC Universe and upcoming projects – Having already watched the trailers for Suicide Squad and BvS, I think it would be fair to assume that there had to be some gritty and dark themes that DC tends to exploit. The complex plotlines or backgrounds in both movies were nowhere near Marvel’s all pleasing comedy where Hulk, their short-tempered angry green beast, could deliver more laughter than any of the Avengers. So, with a plot that comprises of a vengeful Batman who takes on a despondent Superman in a match between the greatest gladiators of their Universe, it could be said that a lot of negative mental factors will come in use. Thus, I did expect a bleak and unpleasant storyline but even I was surprised (for very different reasons I will touch on soon).
• Two heroes; not three – Although the Wonder Woman cameo in the second trailer was a tremendous spoiler, I think it was largely intentional as they did not want the audience to constantly ponder who the Gal in the hot dress was. Snyder might have added her for plot diversification and obviously as an introduction to the Justice League but the reason for spoiling the fun must have been to concentrate the plot on the two leads of the movie and not wonder who this woman was.
• Studio interference – Where haven’t we seen this complaints? Again, lets go back to both the trailers, one common thread linking  them was apart from an obvious antagonist, there was an added CGI freak show monster – Doomsday and Subway Metro Monster (help me with this one and do enlighten me in the comments if you can identify that unncessary thing). Both these rather abrupt and gruesome creatures had only hard-ons for CGI freaks but we’re very much out of the story in both cases. So, I did expect more Studio ruining in BvS before watching it.
• Hans Zimmer- Expected goosebumps, delivered goosebumps. (Special mention for Lex’s theme which I felt was apt but did get much hate inevitably.)

Now, there are My COMMENTS-

• The underlying after effect – Apart from the highly differentiated viewpoints this movie derived out of the audiences, it also left them rather inquisitive about the intentions and the unanswered message that this movie was supposed to propogate. It’s always very subjective and thus my take on it is also how I felt when I walked out which was, for the lack of a better word, perplexed. To understand my emotion, one only has to compare what the movie did to what was expected of it. So, when one takes into account the latter, we can see that we’ve all been shown a rather emotional and overproduced drama through the conflict of opinion of two superheroes. Superheroes, yes, thus answering the first part, where we all expected some butt-kicking action and a little boom-boom to go with it. So why would DC do that? As I mentioned earlier, one can see that DC isn’t following the rather apparent superhero formula which has become a hit these days, rather they stand true to their universe and it is something that the fans have been arguing too. So should we buy them when they say the movie was made for the fans? Perhaps, but unless we approach with an open mind, the movie tends to disappoint.
• Unconventional Storytelling – Here’s a point that I did give some major thought. Having established the themes that Snyder tends to exploit, how does he intend to push through his story and articulation to the audiences? Conventional movie wisdom would tell you that generically there’s about two very common ways of putting forth such storytelling where A) Dialogues hold most of the importance or B) Action can be used to convey all that there is. Tarantino upholds the (A) category while Michael Bay could be a nomination for (B).  But BvS, rather surprisingly and boldly have opted for a different method. A lot of the cinema deals around inanimate objects which are key plotlines, and also my next point which we shall come to.  But this sort of unfocused, unattached and very segregated way of storytelling seems to have obviously backfired but does deserve a shoutout for trying. After all, not everyone can be a  Trakovsky or an Aronofsky.
• Inanimate Objects – For those of you who did pay attention, a question on the back of your mind should have been why am I watching too much of this piss jar or Kryptonite Spear? Apart from those, there was also the dirt that Lo had dropped on the coffin,  the wheelchair of the Senate bomber and of course, the LexCorp data files. A lot of screen time was alloted to these objects throughout the movie which could only derive some importance from them. But the assumption that I can come up with is that like a lot of good storytelling Snyder decided to use these objects and create decisive moments in a plot. So to try this in a Superhero movie is not the first time, as Loki’s sceptre  was such an object in the Avengers movie. But the interesting part that I could notice was how important these could potentially be. For instance, the very last frame of the movie shows the dirft on Superman’s coffin to move. Now, if that’s not a major reveal about his death, then I simply don’t understand what it could be. I will be adding more to that point soon but for now, let’s stick to objects. The Spear had first sequences right from its making by Batman until the final stab on Doomsday but it did involve so many turns in plot where firstly, Batman doesn’t end Superman with it; Secondly, Lo decides to hide and end it to save Superman but then brings it back and almost dies trying; Finally, when Superman decides to “sacrifice” himself and take down Doomsday with a largely unused Spear. It’s also not just it, even the wheelchair, even that painting and so many objects that could be studied upon. So, kudos to whoever thought it up but I completely loved this sort of sequencing while many would argue it did ruin the film but who cares? Cinema 1, Fanbase 0.
• Unmotivated Plot – I think it’s safe to say we all know this one. Just to highlight one apparent example, Why would you drag on an hour and forty minutes to arise a conflict of interest between Batman and Superman and then make them fight over one Martha and not their mental issues? Just.. Why?
• Funeral – Before we dwell any further, let’s just recall the Batman funeral in DKR and see how amazingly BvS failed. First, the scenario is pretty much the same. A superhero dies saving the City and is mourned by his closest in one side while the City is thankful in the other; a voice over monologue runs across sending deep messages; there’s the much needed tears and a strong figure; Zimmer pulls the strings on the audio; finally, there’s a montage before the movie ends. Now, if you look at DKR and what Nolan did exceptionally well was that he found the right timing for it all. Everything from Alfred’s tears to Gordon quoting Charles Dickens and to finally Robin figuring out the Bat Cave was timed perfectly. But here, in BvS, there were unmotivated cuts to show different images. There was a hardly pleasing Ben Affleck voice over and Zimmer was rather unnoticed. But where it failed was the final frame that revealed an anti anticlimax. DKR was ambiguous and showed Bruce Wayne alive while BvS tried to be further skeptical and randomly moved some dirt. Two funeral scenes with uncanny similarities but if truth be told, Nolan 1 – Snyder 0.
• Characters and poor ensemble – I think it’s safe to say the movie was overproduced and filled too many characters. Lex was an obvious failure where we saw a Heath Ledger wannabe reduce an anarchist genius to a clown. Amy Adams had too much screentime, did nothing exceptional but satisfied as Lo. Henry Cavill boasted chest hair and body but met the dust and disappointed everyone. But the cake of this cast goes to Ben Affleck or our dear Batfleck who quite simply stole the show despite his preview dissatisfaction from the audience.
• My theory – So I really didn’t appreciate how fussy everyone got over Superman’s “death”. We all know that’s unlikely, plus the dirt moving shot did settle all doubts. No way is he completely gone. My take on the intention behind all the killing and funeral scenes would be to show how finally Kal seems to have found a time to not be Supes anymore. Throughout the movie he is presented with a choice under the public ambiguity of the need for a super being, while the climax only goes to present him an opportunity to meet his end on his own terms. Quite simply put, take a bow and live for himself. His final lines also indicate he isn’t going as there was no apparently goodbye but only expression of his love towards Lo. Also remember, Clark Kent seemed to have become inconspicuous towards the end not revealing the consequences is Kal’s death on his alter ego. So, did Superman use the Doomsday as a distraction and plausible cause to “retire” and live his life? Do drop your view on the comments.

I’ve given it about an hour of considerable thought and only then decided to go ahead on course of giving this review of sorts. I really don’t find such stuff online anymore but just blatant one worded ratings which I feel don’t completely define a movie. It deserves more. So those were my two cents.

If you did read until this point, I must say take my hat off and thank you. I’d love to hear your opinion on it so please do share it in the comments.

Also, these were just my opinions and I don’t mean to push at yours either. Have a read, let me know what you felt and do share if you liked it.

– The Skookum.