Well, what you call baggage others may refer to as knowledge of a character's history. When you look at a character design you compare it to the source material, which is why so many love Batfleck's look, as it evokes FM's DK work. You also try to appreciate what the designers did to update the look, while remaining true to the spirit of the definitive work that certain look was built upon. You look at Darkseid and found it "badass." That's fine. I found the face flat and devoid of character, at least in that pic, which is strange because historically Darkseid has a very emotive face, especially when Kirby (his daddy) drew him.
I never thought my comments were complaints, just observations. And to answer your last question, just getting a live action "any" character isn't enough any more. Comic book movies practically run the show out there (at least for now) so there needs to be more brought to the table than, "Well, at least we made it."
But again, others may disagree and love it. I find it bland, sans the glowing eyes. It might work better in execution, remains to be seen.