PMI Positive: - It is dark. It does take itself seriously. One review I read said this about the film: "unrelieved atmosphere of oppressiveness". While I wouldn't agree completely with that opinion I liked the grim atmosphere. Do we want the campy 'Batman and Robin' back? I loved the tone of the film. I prefer the tone of this and Nolan's Batmans than what a lot of Marvel films provide. The day they make an R-rated Batman (apparently a cut of this is) film with the tone of Schindler's List I'll be happy. Batman/Bruce Wayne are not happy characters. - I was glad it doesn't go into the origins of Batman too much. Even what they did was too much for people who know the story. I guess it was necessary as the connection between Batman's and Superman's parents is important to the plot. - Despite fears the casting of Batman/Bruce Wayne was a-okay. Jeremy Irons fits the role of Alfred perfectly too. - There are a number of powerful moments. Particularly with Superman. I think the whole God theme was well done. - One thing I've loved about 'Man of Steel' and this over the older Superman films is that they demonstrate the real power of Superman where you feel his strength. These have done it really well. Minus: - I don't know if it just because we are caught up in the plethora of other media how Lex has been portrayed, and I could be wrong as I don't know the comics that well, but Jessie seemed more like Ledger's Joker than he does the previous portrayals of Luther in this. I think he did a good job doing what he was trying to do but again, I think Lex was miscast here. There are a number of differences to the classic Batman story but this seemed to be a major alteration. Jessie could still pass for a teen as well, there seemed too big an age difference. This is no doubt the biggest flaw with it and was from the audience testing as well. - If you hadn't seen 'Man of Steel' I don't know if I would go as far to say that the viewer would have been lost but I think they would have benefited from a touch more callbacks. I wished I'd watched it again prior to viewing this. - The reason for them fighting. Wouldn't Superman just tell Batman quickly that Lex has tricked him rather than wait until he is on his death bed? - Lex's motivation to kill Superman? Again, I'm not very familiar with the comics but I gathered from the Reeve movies it boiled down to Lex not being able to do what he wanted to do with Superman around and him constantly foiling his attempts at World domination. I didn't get a clear reasoning in this. Maybe I missed something. Interesting: - I can see why people feel like the movie was trying to pack too much into it during the first half while I was watching it, which is a common criticism I'm seeing, but by the end, I didn't feel that. When you break it down there isn't that much to it. I'd rather have it this way than a more formulaic superhero movie plot where nothing happens. See Deadpool. - Wonder Woman. For 95% of the movie you don't see her. One of the few scenes she is in she is promoting the upcoming Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg films. One comment I read hit home about how "Lex apparently gave them names/logos" - The dream sequence within a dream sequence... It was cool but seemed out of place. - Batman had time to change costume between the Superman fight and getting in the batwing towards the conclusion of the film to fight Doomsday? Maybe he had it on underneath? - People have complained about all of the special effects. Do you want Doomsday to be a man in a gorilla suit? - The Batman fights in the lead up to save Martha were quite reminiscent of the moves from the Arkham Asylum to Arkham Knight video game series. - The people saying Batman doesn't kill. Yes, he has many times before. - In an early court room scene did anyone notice the two Batman like figures out of focus? - The extended cut does add to the film, explaining some events in greater detail, but I don't think it improves it as much as many claim. I'd heard from a friend that this film wasn't being well received from critics but I tried to stay away from the reviews and ratings until I saw this about six days into its release and I had to admit after seeing it I was shocked at the negative reception. It's not a perfect movie, there are holes, but the acclaimed Nolan Batmans had holes as well. I really don't feel like a lot of the criticisms are just and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm thinking about going to see it again. A lot more engrossing than any superhero film I've seen probably since 'TDK'. I mean, 'Ant Man' got far better reception than this...talk about a boring movie. I'd rather a film have some plot issues than be a complete bore. --------------------------- The Extended Version - Adds some more explanation to some subsplots but it doesn't add as much as some claim it does.