Batman V Superman: Predicting The 10 Biggest Criticisms

4. It Takes Itself Too Seriously

Man Of Steel received a lot of flak for trying to follow the "grimdark" Christopher Nolan formula too closely, especially considering that Superman isn't typically a dark character, and the tone of his stories have largely been more flowery and optimistic. Batman V Superman doesn't seem to be much different, steeping itself in the same airy existentialism that more often characterises Batman's movies, and though this should be more permissible considering that Batman's actually in this one, Superman purists will probably still take umbrage with their hero getting such a stern treatment. Then there's the fact that this film is going to be inherently ridiculous: in addition to two costumed men beating each other up, it's got Wonder Woman, Cyborg and, most questionably of all, Aquaman, so there's huge potential for a tonal dissonance, where audiences find themselves laughing at it rather than with it. After all, Marvel tend to deflect this by drawing attention to and mocking the absurdity, but it'd be a surprise if there was much comedy to be found here.