Critics React to Batman v Superman Première

Hotly-anticipated comic book movie spectacular Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice held its world première in New York last night, and the critical reaction to the film has been vociferous, to say the least. It seems that, despite much apprehension, last night’s audience thinks it’s… good. Really good. Standing ovation and tears good. I know. I’m a surprised as you, especially after that last trailer:

The consensus following the movie’s first screening is that it Gal Godot’s Wonder Woman steals the show, Ben Affleck makes a fine Batman, and that the whole affair is infinitely better than Man of Steel (though hardly a tough act to follow), making it possibly the best superhero movie ever made.

Heartfelt reactions, or hyperbole resulting from low expectations? You decide:

Before the première, director Zack Snyder revealed that the movie nearly featured two of Batman’s most famous adversaries, Joker and The Riddler. During the press junket, Snyder said (via Collider):

“The Joker and The Riddler both came close to being in this movie. We talked about the possibility of putting them in. [Screenwriter] Chris Terrio and I talked about it a lot and felt that their mythological presence is felt in the movie and that’s cool, but I didn’t want to get my eye too far off the ball because I needed to spend the time, frankly, with Batman and Superman to understand the conflict.”

Official reviews for Superman v Batman: Dawn of Justice are still under embargo, so we’re still waiting for more nuanced examinations of its merits, but the film goes on general release in cinemas across the world on 25th March.