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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Batman v Superman Teaser Trailer

I've been pretty skeptical of Batman v Superman to this point, for a number of reasons. This teaser trailer--which I presume was released a little ahead of schedule because it leaked--is the first chance any of us reg'lar folk have had to see just what is going in this movie, and how.

I can't say I was disappointed that Aquaman doesn't appear in it, because as far as we've heard, Jason Momoa's role in the film is little more than a cameo. I was disappointed to see nothing of Wonder Woman, whose debut in this movie is, to me, the biggest drawing card WB has--after all, there have been a total of thirteen Superman and Batman films previously, so there's only so much surprise there, even if this is their first meeting.

What about what we did see? I have decided at this point to stop bemoaning the uber-dark approach Snyder and Co. are taking, because at this point it feels like going out in the rain, demanding it stop: this is the film we're getting, so let's just move on when it comes to What Could Have Been. 

Overall, I liked what I saw: the film looks and feels appropriately epic, befitting these two characters appearing together for the first time. The shot of Superman lifting that rocket or whatever over his head looks ripped right from the most iconic images of the Man of Steel from the comics. It made me smile. I don't mind a film or TV show being dark and heavy, if I get a sense of joy from the filmmakers in making it (I find P.T. Anderson's Boogie Nights to be a great example of this). That shot of Superman looking so...Superman-ish gave me that tingle that I had just a few hours earlier the same day when I saw the first new footage of Han Solo in thirty years.

So while I'm still a bit skeptical about this whole project, I can't say I'm not excited, even if there was no role for Aquaman. Knowing that in less than a year we'll all know just how good--or not--Batman v Superman is, is very exciting!


7 comments:

Earth 2 Chris said...

I can't say I agree with you pal. I just can't get beyond the BLEAKNESS of this. Superman hated and feared? No thanks. I've come around a bit since Superman Homepage did a shot for shot breakdown and pointed out SOME people do admire Superman, after all, they erected a statue...that was then defaced with "FALSE GOD".

People gripe about the Nolan films, but at least Batman was portrayed there as a beacon of hope. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Superman ALWAYS been portrayed as an even brighter symbol of that hope? I'm not seeing ANY of that here...and Cavill deserves better.

I really hope I'm wrong about this, but this trailer is so depressing, I don't see one iota of joy in it, personally.

Chris

rob! said...

I don't disagree with your assessment, Chris. But I'm wondering if we aren''t taking this trip through the dark so we can come out on the other side--namely, the formation of the JLA where things become brighter. It is always darkest before the dawn, after all.

IF this look and feel continues on into the JLA and subsequent WW and Aquaman movies, then I'd say this whole approach is a mistake. But this trailer suggests to me it is developing the themes seen in MOS and taking them further, like a good sequel should.

I guess we'll see a year from now!

Joe Slab said...

I know this is an unlikely (but still plausible theory): I can't help but to wonder if what we've seen so far are scenes from a Dark Knight Returns-esque dystopian future as visioned by Kahina the Seer?

In any case, I also agree with Rob -- the brief scene with Supes lifting the rocket made my inner fanboy jump with excitement!

Earth 2 Chris said...

I hope you're right Rob. It may be. But, I've been burned by "things are going to get brighter" before. Remember Infinite Crisis?

Chris

r duncan said...

I just don't get excited about DC Comics movies anymore. IF you don't get your hopes up, you can't be disappointed.

The preview does look dark and depressing. I'm encouraged by the "Unite The Seven" poster (it is an official release, isn't it?). It definitely presents a positive future for the characters, who will apparently have a common purpose at some point.

Anthony said...

Not a fan of "Man of Steel" or the grimdark approach, so not excited about the lawsuit-y named "Batman V Superman," sorry. Otherwise, what earth-2 chris said. Superman should be bright/optimistic, not about dwelling on his having kung-fu neck-snapping grip...

I was more excited about the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" film, at least...

Anonymous said...

I'm with you guys on this. But, no, I don't think it's going to get that much brighter by the time the Justice League is formed. For one thing, Wonder Woman and Aquaman's costumes don't scream "bright-and-cheery" to me. Also, when Warner Brothers CEO Kevin Tsujihara was asked how DC movies are to differentiate themselves from Marvel's, he replied "The worlds of DC are very different." He added, "They’re steeped in realism, and they’re a little bit edgier than Marvel’s movies." It looks to me that the powers-that-be has already decided on a blueprint for their universe.

My primary concern is not so much the tone of the movies as the choice of Zack Snyder as the overseer of the DCU. Sure, he has a distinct visual style but he's also deficient in story-telling, character development and pacing. I really hope I'm wrong about the whole thing but that trailer isn't very reassuring despite the fact that that shot of Superman lifting the rocket is indeed awesome.