5 Signs Batman V Superman Could Be A Huge Bust

5 Signs Batman V Superman Could Be 

                    A Huge Bust

5. Too Gloomy

Ever since Christopher Nolan proved that dark and gritty Batman films can work – and be insanely profitable – most of the DC superhero movies have attempted to emulate that style to mixed success. WhenMan Of Steel tried to infuse a darker tone into Superman, it didn’t quite work as the film was sorely lacking that crucial element of fun and excitement. Based on the trailers for Batman v Superman, it looks like more doom and gloom is on the horizon.

Whilst the Batman material is as sullen as you’d expect, the cries of ‘false god’ seem to indicate that there’s no room for any humor in Superman’s half either. In their eagerness to distinguish themselves from the light-hearted and quippy Marvel movies, DC doesn’t seem to realize that the whole dark and gritty schtick doesn’t mean robbing a film of its warmth and life. Anything any character does in the Batman v Superman trailer seems to be done with a permanent scowl with barely a hint of a smile anywhere. It’s one thing to strive for realism in a superhero movie, but it’s another to have the heroes emotional range permanently set between angry and sad. Surely Batman or Superman have laughed to at least one joke in their lifetime?

4. Batman And Superman Relationship Is Already Underdeveloped

The Dark Knight Returns is considered one of the greatest comic books ever for featuring the first no-holds-barred Batman vs. Superman conflict and the subsequent fallout between the two characters. What made the comic so powerful and emotional was that Batman and Superman have been well-established as close friends who have been through hell together. By the time the two fight, it’s hard to not see their conflict as anything other than a tragedy. It is this crucial aspect that the Batman vs. Superman film is lacking.

Whilst the Batman and Superman conflict in the comics was well-earned due to all the groundwork that had been laid out, the film skips all of this important backstory. By introducing Batman in this film and having him take on Superman shortly after their initial meeting immediately robs their conflict of any emotion or stakes. Without their deep and close friendship as a backbone, the cinematic conflict between Batman and Superman feels cheap, unwarranted, and nothing more than an ego-driven brawl than a sad fight between two close friends.

After the filmmakers said that this is an original story and nothing is taken from The Dark Knight Returns, you can’t help but feel that they missed out on making something great by not using the comic.

3. Bruce’s Origin Story Is Explained (Again)

With two cinematic Batman origin stories already, the tale of Bruce Wayne’s humble beginnings is well-trodden territory and doesn’t really need to be told again. When it was announced that an older Batman would make his cinematic return opposite to Superman, it appeared that signs were pointing to a new Batman introductory story.
And then the Batman v Superman trailer dropped and everyone saw Bruce’s parents get murdered. Again.

Instead of introducing an older and world-weary Bruce and dedicating time to the Batman and Superman conflict, the producers are playing it way too safe and going down the same beaten path yet again. After a trilogy of Batman films that ended not too long ago, is there really anyone left who doesn’t know the story of why Bruce Wayne became Batman? What the film should’ve done was completely ignore the Christopher Nolan Batman films.

Instead, by doing another origin story only 10 years after Batman Begins, the film risks alienating audiences with something that is turning out to be little more than a retread.

2. Too Much Setup, Not Enough Of A Self-Contained Story

Marvel has taken their time in crafting a well-established cinematic universe by forming a solid foundation through several solo films. Sensing that they’re behind in the game, DC is rushing to launch their own cinematic universe by announcing a large slate of films over the next few years. However, DC’s ambitious catch-up plan could prove detrimental to Batman v Superman’s overall quality.

There’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be done before the Justice League film drops in 2017. But with only Suicide Squad and the Wonder Woman film coming out in between Batman v Superman and the Justice League, DC only has a limited amount of movies to fully establish all the characters required. Seeing as how Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman are doing their own individual thing, it appears that Batman v Superman is having to do all the heavy lifting before 2017 rolls around.

With a massive cast that includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Aquaman, and Lex Luthor, it’s difficult to see how this film will manage to introduce all the new characters, set up the DC universe for future instalments, and tell a satisfactory story that is self-contained.

1. Too Many New Characters And Storylines

For a film that has Batman v Superman as the headline act, there is an almost excessive number of supporting characters who are waiting on the sidelines. Wonder Woman and Lex Luthor are on the cards to play some significant supporting roles, whilst Aquaman, Cyborg, and a supposedly dead General Zod are all set to appear in some sort of cameo. That’s not even mentioning all the non-powered human characters such as Lois Lane, Alfred Pennyworth, and the rest of the Daily Planet crew.

With so many characters to focus on, there’s also a lot of story to cover beyond Batman and Superman’s little spat. From what can be gleaned from the trailers and available information, there’s Superman and his conflict with the Government, Batman’s origin story and his guilt over the death of Robin, Lex Luthor’s mysterious plan as a third wheel, and the still-unknown reasons and motives behind Wonder Woman’s appearance. With a final tally of roughly 10 major characters, at least four major storylines, and presumably two and a half hours to squeeze everything in, it’s hard to see how this film will successfully juggle everything.

Considering the fact that Sam Raimi couldn’t prevent Spiderman 3 from collapsing beneath its many characters and storylines, and Avengers: Age of Ultron barely scraping through despite having Joss Whedon, what chance does Zack Snyder and Batman v Superman have?