With the new Ultimate Edition, “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice” got to have a bit of a critical reappraisal — minor and tepid as it was, it was a big deal for such a reviled film. Remember, the theatrical version accrued a pitiful 27% (dis)approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so the new version had a long way to go in fixing the problems in Zack Snyder‘s film, and there’s only so much that added material could do.
But just because ‘Batman v Superman’ didn’t turn out to be any good as a movie, doesn’t mean it wasn’t aiming to say something. Cue Renegade Cut. The 21-minute analysis that they’ve put together pulls no punches in setting up the over-long and often embarrassing film, before properly diving into the central theme of humankind’s relationship to God/god-like beings. Which, to be fair, was one of the most intriguing, if poorly handled, aspects of the film — the philosophies all seem a bit half-baked and almost every question that is asked is left wholly unattended. Essentially, ‘BvS’ handles its themes like it handles everything else: They take a backseat to destruction porn and superhero throwdowns.
The odd thing about it is that all of the film’s failings turned it into something of a prolonged car crash. Which is what makes Renegade Cut’s analysis so fascinating. The film, for all the talent surrounding it, somehow became a mess in every department.
So, whether or not your curiosity is still piqued by the disaster of “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice,” check out Renegade Cut’s captivating study of the film above and weigh in with your thoughts on ‘BvS’ in the comments below.
Does everyone who took philosophy 101 eventually come to use it as a dig?