This is an awesome Batman film.

Unfortunately, it turns out to be just an okay Batman v Superman movie.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest Batman fan and in fact, my billionaire vigilante hero of choice is usually Iron Man. However, since the best parts of “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice” belongs to mostly the Caped Crusader, I’ve been thinking I need more Batman shirts in my closet.

Ben Affleck is the first actor to wear the bat ears that makes me like his portrayals of Bruce Wayne AND Batman in equal measure. His performance as the middle aged Dark Knight confronted with the reality of a seemingly all-powerful being like Superman is the perfect mix of paranoid, determined and gruff. His Bruce Wayne is not at all concerned with niceties or keeping up appearances which is way more logical than previous incarnations’ idea of a multi-billionaire constantly concerned with his public image. We get to see who he truly is, rather than the world’s expectation of Batman or Bruce Wayne. I loved it.

Henry Cavill is still a suitable choice for Superman/Clark Kent but unfortunately, here he’s treated more like a plot device rather than an actual character. I honestly was so distracted by Batman and Wonder Woman that I didn’t really notice it until the movie was done.

Gal Gadot is so good as Wonder Woman but her limited screen time feels more like a tease than a performance. However, I’m not sure that any amount of screen time would’ve been satisfactory if the audience’s reaction to her dramatic entrance is any indication. The movie’s biggest fist-pump moment belongs to the Amazon. This world is too thirsty for Princess Diana. We are ready for her, we have BEEN ready.

Zak Snyder has made us a gorgeous movie although one replete with all of his usual foibles: non-existent and awkward transitions, good ideas stunted by shaky execution, subplots that distract from rather than enrich the story. However, there’s no denying that his aesthetic is especially well-suited for the Batman character. While this new DC Cinematic Universe was not directly or officially birthed from Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, it’s easy to why Snyder was selected as Nolan’s successor and the captain of this new megafranchise.

Overall, bold choices will end up making this a divisive film. Some will like it, some will love it, some will disapprove of it and some will downright loathe it. It’s a bit frustrating for me to assess this film as one that I do ultimately like but I understand why others will not.

I realize that this might be a little less than helpful if you’re looking for an endorsement to see this movie or not. In that case, I can tell you that you absolutely should see this movie. This is the definition of a benchmark movie; it’s the first time you’re seeing some of the most popular characters in all of fiction being brought together to the big screen. Affleck’s Batman and Gadot’s Wonder Woman alone is worth the ticket price. How much you like the rest of the film is dependent on you and your individual expectations.

I know. Frustrating.

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