The initial reaction to the announcement that Ben Affleck is to take on the role of Batman in the upcoming Batman V Superman provides a fine example of just how overrated the actor is perceived in the eyes of many movie fans. Affleck certainly isn't a bad actor - he brought a great deal to his characters in his collaborations with Kevin Smith, particularly in Chasing Amy - but for the most part audiences can't help but feel they're just watching the star going through the motions. From Armageddon and Pearl Harbour through to Daredevil and Paycheck, there's little in the way of variation in the manner in which he inhabits these roles. As for To The Wonder, Terrence Malick can only take so much blame for Affleck aimlessly wandering through each scene. When it comes to Affleck behind the camera it's a different story - while many actors who opt to tackle directing fall flat on their faces, Affleck has delivered solid movies such as The Town and Argo. They might not be masterpieces but they certainly demonstrate promise for great things in the future.
