The divisive 2016 superhero blockbuster Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is set for a broadcast on ITV2 today, Sunday 18 January, at 6.10pm. Despite a notoriously low critical score, a dedicated fanbase continues to champion the film as a misunderstood and ambitious epic.
A Clash of Titans and Mixed Reviews
Directed by Zack Snyder, the film presents a dark and gritty showdown between DC Comics' most iconic heroes. It follows Ben Affleck's Batman, who views Henry Cavill's Superman as a catastrophic threat following the destruction of Metropolis. Their conflict is masterfully manipulated by Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor, who seeks to use Kryptonite to eliminate the Kryptonian.
The narrative forces the two heroes, alongside Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, to unite against Luthor's monstrous creation, Doomsday. The ensemble cast also features Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.
However, the film's reception was sharply divided. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a score of just 28% on the Tomatometer, indicating widespread critical panning upon its release.
Fan Defence and Physical Transformations
In contrast to the critics, many viewers argue the film is deeply underrated. One fan review praised it as "Amazing! Underrated!!! Too complex for average viewers!", noting the extended 'Ultimate Edition' cut is superior. Others have lauded its visual style, soundtrack, and the performances, particularly Affleck's brutal take on Batman and Gadot's scene-stealing Wonder Woman.
The stars underwent significant physical preparations for their roles. To become the Dark Knight, Ben Affleck gained 20 pounds of muscle through extensive training, making him, at 43, the oldest actor to portray Batman in a film at the time. Similarly, Gal Gadot added 17 pounds of muscle to her frame to embody the Amazonian warrior.
A Legacy of Ambition
While criticised for a dense plot and a polarising portrayal of Lex Luthor, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is credited with ambitiously exploring the political and philosophical consequences of superheroes in the modern world. Its tone and narrative complexity set it apart from more straightforward superhero fare, which explains its enduring, if contentious, reputation.
The film's broadcast on ITV2 offers a chance for audiences to revisit this pivotal, debate-sparking chapter in the DC Extended Universe, which was intended to lay the groundwork for the Justice League.
