What The DC Extended Universe Should Improve | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

What The DC Extended Universe Should Improve

A dedicated fan's opinion and hopes for the DCEU franchise

41
What The DC Extended Universe Should Improve
multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com

For the past eight years, I have been a huge and dedicated fan of the DC Comics Industry, from comic books and graphic novels to video games, animated shows, and live-action films. While it certainly has had its priceless moments, it has also had its difficulties—one of them being the future DCEU films. While I enjoyed Director Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" (2013) and "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016), I did have problems with the films as they both set the stage for the upcoming "Justice League" films and stand-alone features. Within "Batman v. Superman," I couldn't help but cringe during certain moments of the film. There was a large amount that could have been better that hopefully is improved upon in the upcoming films. While I thoroughly understand that the DC Comics franchise is very different from Marvel's, I believe that the DC Comics films can be thoroughly enjoyable let alone great if they improve in certain areas.

1. Dialogue

One of the difficulties I had with "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" was the lack of confrontation between DC's greatest icons. While we do get the confrontation between Bruce and Clark, we hardly do when they are Batman and Superman. As seen in the photo above, Superman prevents Batman's car chase in Gotham City and then confronts him as he tears the doors off of the Batmobile. One would expect a great dialogue scene that circled around the different viewpoints of being a hero. Instead, we get a short exchange of one-liners that really did not fit the scene at all. "Next time you shine your light in the sky, don't go to it. The Bat is dead. Bury it.Consider this mercy."

This really did not fit who Superman was. I understand that it is a different take on the Man of Steel, but Superman threatening Batman did not make any sense due to the fact that he later refuses to fight until he was threatened to by Lex Luthor. If Batman were in Metropolis, it would have made sense as to why Superman would confront him since it would be his territory. Batman's response was even worse as he says, "Tell me, do you bleed? You will!" It worked well in the teaser trailer back in 2015, but in this scene in particular, it was just pathetic. Throughout the film, Batman constantly has one-liners. "Breathe it in. That's fear" or "You're not brave, men are brave" or even "You're not a god. You're not even a man." While these lines are indeed cool and interesting, to have Batman primarily say quick one-liners rather than have meaningful dialogue was very disappointing, especially to someone that is a huge Batman fan, A.K.A., me.

2. Consistent Plot

The cast of the "Batman v. Superman" film is a fairly large cast, specifically for the main characters. A large cast can bring difficulty with the amount of screen time each member receives on screen. Within the movie, we have five specific characters: Batman/Bruce Wayne, Superman/Clark Kent, Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane. One of the difficulties I had with the film was the script changing from one character's perspective to another. This happened throughout the entire film so much that it became difficult to understand the motives a character let alone connect with them. I get it, each character has a certain viewpoint, but make it consistent and improve on scene changes from one character to another.

3. Subplots

One of the largest difficulties that I had with the film along with 2013's "Man of Steel" were the unnecessary and poorly connected subplots. As fans are aware, Lex Luther is known to be a schemer, one who has a plan as every detail connects to one another. It became difficult to connect some of the subplots to the main plot, such as the bullet that Lois Lane found in Africa, which connected back to Lex Corp. Whenever the bullet was brought up, I really had trouble making the connections as to why it significantly mattered. While I have appreciated Director Zack Snyder's films to an extent, he is known for having subplots with little purpose of being in the film or no purpose at all. This wasted screen time could be used for other parts of the film to expanded on.

4. Character Motivations

If one is going to have a film that focused significantly on a conflict between the main characters, one has to thoroughly give reasons as to why the characters are against one another. We do see Batman's motivations in the beginning of the film and when he is confronted by Alfred, however, there could have been more, especially when he is confronted by Superman for the first time and when he acknowledges the retired Robin uniform. Speaking of Superman, we hardly get any detailed reason for his motivations to hating Batman other than the fact that he simply does not like vigilantism. Surprisingly, Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor gives a solid reason as to why he hates Superman, let alone superheroes in general. This can be greatly seen in the first 30 minutes of the film when he gives his spiel to the Governor about why the Kryptonite is important to keep Superman in check and when he gives his rich and detailed monologue to Superman on top of the Lexcorp building as he compares him to God. It gave a solid foundation to really understand Lex's hatred for Superman let alone the idea of superheroes in general and it would have been great to see that among Batman and Superman.


What separates DC from Marvel is their tackling the idea of actually having vigilantes and godlike figures living among mankind. It deals highly with the cost of being a superhero as civilian lives are lost, the idea of society hating masked heroes, and what it means to sacrifice everything for the sake of mankind. That being said, Marvel has a thorough understanding of having consistent plots and reasons behind character motivations. I believe that DC has the ability to improve in these areas, considering the franchise is still young. One can only hope and pray for the best of the DCEU film slate.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179109
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6286
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451830
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22927
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments