7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Fearing the actions of a god-like super hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane LaneAction | 100% |
Adventure | 87% |
Sci-Fi | 76% |
Comic book | 75% |
Fantasy | 65% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English 5.1 DD=audio descriptive; Director's cut omits Spanish track
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Thai
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Warner's Blu-ray release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (hereafter "BvS")
has arrived in at least ten iterations (including retailer exclusives), nearly all of them containing both the
theatrical version and a director's cut that adds an additional half hour to the film's 151-minute
running time. In an optimistic prediction, Warner has labeled this three-hour epic an "Ultimate
Edition", and its added scenes are being touted as the magic bullet to cure BvS's narrative
shortcomings, which even the film's defenders have acknowledged. The release strategy smacks
of desperation, as if the studio were trying to force-feed BvS to the Blu-ray fanbase. No matter
where you turn, BvS awaits.
This aggressive marketing suits director Zack Snyder's divisive blockbuster, because, in whatever
version, BvS is less a movie than a corporate strategy, a declaration of franchise war marketed as
entertainment. Having watched with envy as Marvel and its producing partners built their comic
book properties into the cash cow known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or "MCU"), Warner
and DC Comics are now desperately playing catch-up, after their first attempt at a Superman
reboot (Superman Returns) fizzled and the latest
(Man of Steel) disappointed. But the overseers
of the anticipated "DCU" have failed to learn essential lessons from Marvel's success. That
company's strategy was meticulous:
Batman v Superman reunited Zack Snyder with his long-time cinematographer Larry Fong, who
previously shot the director's 300, Sucker Punch and Watchmen. Behind-the-scenes clips in the
extras show a variety of cameras, and IMDb reports that BvS was photographed on formats
ranging from the Arri Alexa to 65mm film in IMAX format. The final product, including
extensive effects work, was finished on a digital intermediate at 4K, making BvS one of the rare
Warner features to be completed at the higher resolution. On Blu-ray, the theatrical and director's
cuts are presented separately, with each occupying its own 1080p, AVC-encoded BD-50. Screenshots 1-30 are taken from the theatrical cut, while
screenshots 31-40 (following the theatrical version's menu) come from the "Ultimate Edition" director's cut. Additional
screenshots from the theatrical cut can be found accompanying the 3D review.
There is no difference in quality between the two presentations, and the new footage in the
director's cut has been seamlessly integrated. Despite partial digital origination and copious CG
effects work, BvS's presentation is noticeably film-like, with a finely visible grain pattern that is
never obtrusive but gives the image depth and texture. Much of the action is set at night and in
dark interiors like the Batcave, with deep black shadows where detail is often still visible (and
where it isn't, it's not supposed to be). The film's colors are desaturated, for the most part, even
including the reds and blues of Superman's signature costume (which has gained even more
detailing since Man of Steel). On the rare occasion when colors are intense (e.g., the early Indian
Ocean scene when local divers make an important find), they stand out brightly. While some
viewers may find the cinematography's brooding atmosphere oppressive, that appears to be the
intended effect, and there's certainly no faulting its Blu-ray rendition.
Warner's theatrical division continues to keep its average bitrates low, but in an ironic turn, the
longer director's cut clocks in at a higher rate than the theatrical (23.96 vs. 21.01 Mbps). The
difference is attributable to the fact that the director's cut does not have to share its disc with
several hours of HD extras. The busy imagery of BvS places heavy demands on the
compressionist to conserve the bit-budget wherever possible, but the job appears to have been
capably performed.
BvS thunders onto Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that fully delivers on fans' expectations for an epic superhero showdown. With broad dynamic range and deep bass extension, the track renders every blow, punch and crash in crisp detail, with sound emanating from multiple points throughout the listening space. Atmos localization enhances immersion into car chases, gun fights and the bone-crunching combat between the two title characters. The new version of the Batmobile is as fully realized sonically as in its muscular physical presence (the latter being the subject of a whole separate extra). Explosions and building collapses are almost painfully real. The collaboration of Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL has produced an ever-present and overbearing score that is almost an additional character in the film, constantly commenting on, and underlining the importance of, the events onscreen. My sole quibble with the track is the dialogue, which is occasionally buried in the mix (Holly Hunter and Jesse Eisenberg are the most frequent victims).
All of the extras accompany the theatrical cut of BvS; the disc with the the director's cut has no
extras. The extras are very obviously promotional in nature, with a heavy emphasis on
establishing the film's place in the aggressive roster of upcoming DCU films. The fact that Geoff
Johns, Chief Creative Officer for DC Entertainment, appears frequently is not an accident. Cast
members provide occasional comments, but the floor belongs primarily to the official DCU
shepherds, including Snyder and his producers, and selected members of the technical crew
responsible for the look of the film.
Despite critical drubbing, BvS delivered at the box office, and I am under no illusion that my
issues with the film will make a dent in its fan base, which is almost as fanatical in its devotion
as the equally vocal chorus of BvS detractors. Warner's Blu-ray presentation should satisfy fans,
as well as providing an effective introduction to the world of BvS for those seeking to learn what
all the fuss is about. My sole recommendation, for both new viewers and old, is to favor the
director's cut, which, even with all the franchise-building distractions, manages to do a much
better job of telling the story.
Ultimate Edition | plus Theatrical Cut on standard Blu-ray | Justice League Movie Money
2016
plus Theatrical Cut on standard BD
2016
Ultimate Edition | Remastered
2016
plus Theatrical Cut on standard Blu-ray
2016
plus Extended Cut on 2D Blu-ray
2016
Ultimate Edition | with Justice League Movie Money
2016
with $5 Vudu credit
2016
2016
Ultimate Edition
2016
with Lego lenticular slipcover + The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Movie Money
2016
Superman Figurine
2016
Batman Figurine
2016
w/ Graphic Novel
2016
Ultimate Edition
2016
Ultimate Edition
2016
Superman Edition
2016
Ultimate Edition
2016
2016
2016
2013
2018
2017
2015
Cinematic Universe Edition
2017
Extended and Theatrical versions
2011
Cinematic Universe Edition
2012
2013
2011
2017
Cinematic Universe Edition
2016
DC Universe Animated Original Movie #8
2010
Extended TV Cut & Special Edition
1978
Cinematic Universe Edition
2018
2014
DC Universe Animated Original Movie #4
2009
The Richard Donner Cut 4K
1980
2016
Cinematic Universe Edition
2019
2015