Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice picks up a few years after where the last Superman movie left off, after the cataclysmic fight between Superman and General Zod. Fearing Superman’s power to destroy as well as save, as well as his potential to attract more alien threats than he repels to the cities of Gotham and Metropolis, many, including Bruce Wayne, the vigilante crime-fighter Batman, feel Superman is too dangerous and needs to be stopped. Meanwhile, Clark Kent disagrees with Batman’s disregard for the law, and plans to stop him.

Over the next two and a half hours, the two superheros prepare to face each other, while scientist Lex Luther predictably hatches an evil plan to dispose of Superman. These two and a half hours are filed with dark and gritty scenes, but are noticeably lacking in interesting character interactions and the plot’s main purpose seems to be to set up DC’s plans for Justice League movies. Unfortunately, Wonder Woman’s appearances are disappointingly short, although there is some promise of greater things to come for her in future endeavors. The story is slow-moving and convoluted all at once, and the characters fail to flesh themselves out, resulting in a movie that feels more like a chore to watch than anything else. Devoted fans might get some enjoyment out of the Dawn of Justice, but for anyone not ready to sit down to two and a half hours of boredom and unfulfilled potential should stay far away.

1 of 5 stars