Spring must be here because the first superhero blockbuster has arrived. A bitter, older Batman takes issue with Superman’s godlike threat, and Wonder Woman still chooses to fight crime without the benefit of pants. And there’s more! A new Terrence Malick, animation shorts, a couple of indie horror efforts, an Oscar nominated foreign language film, and a needless Greek sequel.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
Just how dark do you like your superheroes?
With Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, director Zack Snyder battles his own penchant for excess while combining the Marvel formula of assembly with the damaged psyche of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. His film makes Nolan look downright drunk on human kindness.
Snyder is not shy with metaphor or message. As spectacular events unfold in Metropolis and Gotham, we’re given an unflinching rumination on how 9/11 has changed us. Terrorism, paranoia, torture, and toothless media are woven into more standard superhero tenets. This is a battle between God and man, and the film also has plenty of moments worthy of a classic Greek tragedy.
So there’s a lot going on here? Sometimes too much.
After all the uproar, Ben Affleck makes a fine caped crusader, as the hero’s square-jawed intensity fits perfectly into Affleck’s low-emotion comfort zone. The great Jeremy Irons brings some welcome badassed-ness to the role of Alfred, effortlessly stealing scenes and laying claim to the film’s most interesting character.
In the other corner, Henry Cavill continues to impress as Clark Kent/Superman, finding a subtle nuance in the role that makes his ache for humanity ring true. Amy Adams gives us a Lois Lane that is smarter and sexier than ever, and her chemistry with Cavill brings a new depth to the iconic super couple.
To the delight of arch villain Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg, a bit over the top), the Dark Knight and Man of Steel finally come to blows, and it is glorious. In fact, their battle makes the film’s final act feel a bit superfluous.
Batman v Superman wanders, but it’s enough of an epic to make following it worthwhile.
Grade: B-
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
Might be time again to grab some stock in Windex, because now it turns out that the elixir of wonders may even ease the pain of a bum hip.
The Windex thing was just a part of the charm that drove My Big Fat Greek Wedding to insane box office in 2002. But beneath the idiosyncrasies, it connected through a sweetly natural sense of family, and easy humor delivered by people that looked and felt real.
MBFGW2 brings back those familiar characters, but this time the authenticity is lacking.
A ridiculous setup underscores why Part 2 comes up lame. Vardalos’s original script seemed to come straight from the heart, but this time out she can manage very little that isn’t obvious and calculated.
Genuinely funny lines are hard to come by, while the attempts to address real family issues such as empty nests, sexual preference, and stale marriages are given only the broadest strokes, reduced to a line or two of conflict followed by hurried resolution. The level of frenetic family antics is desperately upped, as well.
The food looks delicious, tough.
Grade: C-
Also opening this week in Columbus:
- 17TH ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS (NR)
- ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD (NR)
- EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT (NR)
- IDENTICALS (R)
- KNIGHT OF CUPS (R)
- THEY’RE WATCHING (R)
Reviews with help from George Wolf.
See a full set of movie reviews on MADDWOLF and listen to Hope’s weekly horror movie podcast, FRIGHT CLUB.
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