I just finished watching. What an epic.
Still processing it overall, but this just...felt like a big, well told cohesive narrative. I've only seen the movie once in theater. I left the theater with INCREDIBLY mixed emotions. I didn't know how to process it but the one BIG thing that bugged me was the editing. Now, I'm usually not the type of person to complain about editing in a film, I usually don't even notice it, but with the TC version, i really felt it. I could just FEEL that something went wrong in the editing room and the movie felt very disjointed and really took me out of everything. I had been incredibly eager to see the movie again in theater but I just did not get the chance to.
Now, finally, I get to see this movie again, in the comfort of my own home, in HD, and the PROPER VERSION of the film. Make no mistake, folks, believe the hype, this is the REAL Batman v. Superman: dawn of Justice. This felt like a full film.
Now, I'm a little tired so I won't go too deep but I just want to say I am so happy and relieved that this was the movie that Snyder had intended to put out. Everything is much more fleshed out and given room to breathe. The movie doesn't feel rushed, it takes its time but is never boring. I did not even feel the 2 hours and 50 mins because I was so engrossed in everything. Clark is given justice, I still would've liked to see a little bit more Clark/ Superman footage but what we got was sufficient and the character is much, much better serviced in this version than the TC. The ending sequence of the film is VERY well done and I felt the the emotion much better than the TC.
The movie is not perfect. Its still has some issues that slightly irk me. I STILL think the Knight mare sequence is very out of place in the film and the JL stuff doesn't quite fit in either. Also, the big fight, while it is very well filmed and choreographed, is still a bit too one sided for my tastes, but I suppose that was part of the point. Also, this more brutal version of Batman is still a little jarring to me, but I can get used to it upon further rewatching.
I'll talk about it more later but this movie is solid. A very well thought out film with some kinks in it that prevent it from being a masterpiece. This movie is not for everyone, it's a dark drama. But, and believe me, I do not say this lightly, I really got wrapped up in this drama/ thriller aspect of the film and it reminded me of The Dark Knight. I know many will roll their eyes at and I want to clarify that I am not saying Snyder is on Nolan's level but a good portion of the film evoked that same Dark Knight-psychological-crime-drama thriller-esque vibe that I think was very bold.
All in all the Ultimate Edition is a very good, solid film and it makes me so happy to say this because I felt so conflicted coming out of theaters in March. I would have given the TC a 6.5-7, if I was being honest with myself it probably would have been a 6.5. However, this cut is a solid 8-8.5/10. It really is too bad this was not the version released back in March. I think the narrative around the film would be different but alas, this proves that Snyder knew what he was doing all along and eventhough you may not agree with his vision, he is able to tell it in a big, epic, cohesive, character driven narrative.
Can't wait for Justice League to finish this story.
8-8.5/10