Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Scoot McNairy
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Scoot McNairy. Following rise to fame in the 1990’s, McNairy has made memorable movies. Whether it’s bold political leaders, slave owners or suspects of murders. McNairy has played several strong characters. Arguably, McNairy’s strength as an actor has always been his strong screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he isn’t a central focus of a movie, McNairy has always left a strong impression. An actor with a strong presence, McNairy has made many powerful movies earning a huge audience. Although he is often relegated to supporting roles in films, McNairy has always left a lasting impression with audiences. Throughout his lasting career. McNairy has made many memorable films that are definitely worth talking about without any single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of McNairy and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is definitely my favourite. Following release in 2016, Scoot McNairy’s movie has stood the test of time as a comic-book classic. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging story and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Scoot McNairy, who embodies a mercenary that becomes the sad victim of destruction. Although “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is a riveting comic-book blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s overlong, and lacks a strong villain without motivation. Nevertheless, it offers exhilarating entertainment that fans of Scoot McNairy will not be able to resist.
Following events of “Man of Steel”, “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” chronicles a superhero with grim emotions to feel. Henry Cavill portrays Clark Kent/Superman, a hero that faces tense media scrutiny. Superman has commonly been devoted to protecting his city from menacing villains causing adversity. However, Superman’s forever changes when the caped crusader accuses him of painful crimes causing disaster. Batman (Ben Affleck) is a forceful vigilante that engages in intense warfare with Superman causing catastrophe. As the two superheroes clash with opposing ideologies, Superman begins to question if it’s possible to save his city from adversity. Faced with a legal case led by Wallace Keefe (Scoot McNairy), Superman struggles to prove that he is a worthy superhero in his city. Facing sorrow, superman soon questions whether it’s possible to be a superhero.
Zack Snyder is fascinated with the comic-book genre. A fantastic filmmaker, Snyder has often made memorable movies about superheroes facing disaster. His iconic film “Man of Steel” honoured a legendary superhero about whom people commonly strongly feel. With “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice”, however, the filmmaker created his first ever superhero war blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of superheroes engaging in a warfare tragedy but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Snyder captures a superhero embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Emulating Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins”, Snyder expertly uses handheld camera to capture superheroes that face dilemma. For instance, handheld camera elevates the opening scene. During this tense scene, Bruce Wayne witnesses his city being destroyed by Superman in a big catastrophe. Through handheld camera, Snyder honours a superhero in the comic-book genre. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique to use in film. As Ben Affleck’s “Argo” suggested, handheld camera often enhances political thrillers. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Snyder captures tensions that superheroes engaging in warfare are facing.
Another commendable aspect of “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” which deserves appreciation is action. From a technical point of view, the film is extremely well made. Snyder effectively uses costumes to capture tensions superheroes are facing. Throughout the film, Batman’s costumes showcase his personality as an angry superhero facing adversities. For instance, costumes elevate the superhero fight scene. During this memorable scene, Batman and Superman have a tense confrontation in a fight causing tension. Through larger than life costumes, Snyder creates a strong superhero that audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Hans Zimmer’s music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that superheroes on intense missions bear. Through gorgeous production design, Snyder captures commemorated superheroes experiencing a decline.
Storytelling is one of reasons why “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is a comic book classic that’s compelling. The film is expertly written, and deftly uses flashbacks to capture superheroes which are impacted by violence. Throughout the film, Snyder successfully uses flashbacks to capture superheroes that face tension. For instance, flashbacks enhance the Batman childhood scene. During this intense scene, Batman recounts harrowing memories of his traumatic childhood witnessing parents’ death. Through engaging flashbacks, Snyder created a portrait of a superhero that proves compelling. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in most films. As David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” suggested, flashbacks enhance murder mystery films. As Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” claimed, flashbacks enhance slavery movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a captivating screenplay, McNairy captures the lives of superheroes that face a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Scoot McNairy delivers one of his finest career performances as Wallace Keefe. McNairy first earned appreciations for playing hostages of Iranian countries. With “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to easy a worker that becomes a sad victim of superheroes causing adversity, but he succeeds immensely. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. McNairy has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” was a showcase for him as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, courage and resilience of a worker bearing witness to superhero violence. It’s a strong performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Scoot McNairy, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Henry Cavill is captivating, capturing charisma of a superhero with big goals to fulfill. Ben Affleck is brilliant, capturing the heroic persona of a masked vigilante haunted by childhood that is tragic. Lastly, Jeremy Irons merits recognition. As the butler of a superhero, he brings wisdom to the film.
Although “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is a captivating comic-book movie, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor drawback to the movie, it suffers from extended length. Snyder’s choice to integrate political subplots into the movie is bold but it hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing on Superman’s commemorated legal hearing aren’t as engaging as his journey to protect his city. Moreover, the movie lacks a strong villain. Lex Luthor is a charismatic but shallow villain that lacks strong motivation. Despite the best efforts of Jesse Eisenberg who is an excellent actor, Luthor comes across as being a shallow character. Comic-book movies thrive based on quality of commemorated villains, and in this regard “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is one of those films that falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of Scott McNairy would appreciate “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating comic-book classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book film about rivalrous superheroes engaging in a tense feud, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has always excelled at playing strong characters adopting a positive attitude in memorable movies which audiences have commonly valued.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 