ajp4mgs
Super Freak
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2017
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I'm not one of those seven people, and you're well within your right to dislike the Snyderverse and post your opinion about it. But even though you're never going to appreciate his version of these characters yourself, I can give you my take (just like abake did a few posts earlier) on them. I'll tell you why these versions of their comics counterparts appeal to me.
I'm putting it all in spoiler tags because it's way too much of a wall of text to have to scroll through if you're not interested. But if you genuinely want to know why at least one person here enjoys the Snyderverse, I'm providing my experience with it. And if you don't care, that's cool too.
I actually prefer superhero stories in comic book form rather than movies. A bunch of super-powered beings wearing absurd costumes and fighting equally absurd villains just plays way better for me in the pages of the comics. But the Snyderverse *does* appeal to me because the characters are used to greater effect for thematic takeaway than they are for plot execution. In the Snyderverse, characters like the DC Trinity are portrayed in a way that more closely resembles classic mythology than how even a mythology-inspired character like Thor is presented in the MCU.
You say that Snyder's Batman doesn't resemble the character in the comics. While I agree with you that Batman's code of not killing is central to the core of his most popular characterization, Snyder's Batman still has similarities to the very first Batman of the late 1930's (who shot guns and killed criminals), as well as to Frank Miller's older version of Batman. So, Snyder's version isn't completely disconnected from *very relevant* versions of his comic book persona. But more importantly, Snyder's version embodies a very similar purpose as the characters of classic mythology. There's a lot of value in that, and there always will be.
Snyder uses Batman almost exclusively as a counterpoint to Superman. You don't get the great detective, and a focus on the street-level grittiness, because those aspects of his character are not relevant to the dynamic being explored in these movies. That version of Batman has already been done to death by others. Snyder focuses on the part of Bruce Wayne that makes him Batman in the first place: The feeling of powerlessness to prevent loss and tragedy. The murder of his parents while he stood there ineffectively made him resent not just criminals, but the powerlessness that's part of being human.
Enter Superman. Another characterization plucked straight out of mythological ground. The alien who is not embraced and revered by his adoptive homeworld, but is feared and even resented. Superman embodies what Bruce Wayne will never have. If Bruce had godlike abilities, his parents would've been protected. Gotham would be safe. Batman could do more; much more! Instead, Bruce initially sees Superman the same way Snyder's Lex Luthor does: A god among men who poses too great of a threat to be left unchecked. And Bruce and Lex both resent Superman for being the godlike person they both wish they could be; because both were powerless victims as children.
All of this character dynamic is more interesting if themes are as important to you as plots. That's what makes mythology compelling. The characters are meant to project aspects about who we are and what makes everyone think, feel, and behave the way we do. There's also lessons being told in every story. Snyder's heroes and villains aren't the depictions you're used to, but part of that is intentional because they're being used in a more classic sense (but mixed with modern sensibilities and stylish embellishments).
In BvS, Bruce Wayne pivots from resenting Superman for being more than he can ever be to respecting Superman for the burden of being who he is (and the responsibility that comes with it). In JL, Batman brings the god back to Earth. That's his character arc. He goes from the adult who is still a wounded child filled with resentment to a man who doesn't feel threatened being in the company of gods (and working with them to better the world).
Wonder Woman and Aquaman are the reluctant heroes. The ones who are more like descendants of gods, but had reasons to turn their backs on being active protrectors of the greater good of mankind. Flash and Cyborg are the humans who were damaged by family tragedy; one wants to save his father while the other resents his. Both end JL more at peace, and with a new sense of purpose.
Everyone has an arc, and everyone has plenty of roots to their comic book origins. If it doesn't connect with you, that's perfectly fine. But if you try to find the value of the Snyderverse (beyond the fact that it's fun to watch from a stylistic sense), it's definitely there. Might not be your cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it's entirely crap.
You say that Snyder's Batman doesn't resemble the character in the comics. While I agree with you that Batman's code of not killing is central to the core of his most popular characterization, Snyder's Batman still has similarities to the very first Batman of the late 1930's (who shot guns and killed criminals), as well as to Frank Miller's older version of Batman. So, Snyder's version isn't completely disconnected from *very relevant* versions of his comic book persona. But more importantly, Snyder's version embodies a very similar purpose as the characters of classic mythology. There's a lot of value in that, and there always will be.
Snyder uses Batman almost exclusively as a counterpoint to Superman. You don't get the great detective, and a focus on the street-level grittiness, because those aspects of his character are not relevant to the dynamic being explored in these movies. That version of Batman has already been done to death by others. Snyder focuses on the part of Bruce Wayne that makes him Batman in the first place: The feeling of powerlessness to prevent loss and tragedy. The murder of his parents while he stood there ineffectively made him resent not just criminals, but the powerlessness that's part of being human.
Enter Superman. Another characterization plucked straight out of mythological ground. The alien who is not embraced and revered by his adoptive homeworld, but is feared and even resented. Superman embodies what Bruce Wayne will never have. If Bruce had godlike abilities, his parents would've been protected. Gotham would be safe. Batman could do more; much more! Instead, Bruce initially sees Superman the same way Snyder's Lex Luthor does: A god among men who poses too great of a threat to be left unchecked. And Bruce and Lex both resent Superman for being the godlike person they both wish they could be; because both were powerless victims as children.
All of this character dynamic is more interesting if themes are as important to you as plots. That's what makes mythology compelling. The characters are meant to project aspects about who we are and what makes everyone think, feel, and behave the way we do. There's also lessons being told in every story. Snyder's heroes and villains aren't the depictions you're used to, but part of that is intentional because they're being used in a more classic sense (but mixed with modern sensibilities and stylish embellishments).
In BvS, Bruce Wayne pivots from resenting Superman for being more than he can ever be to respecting Superman for the burden of being who he is (and the responsibility that comes with it). In JL, Batman brings the god back to Earth. That's his character arc. He goes from the adult who is still a wounded child filled with resentment to a man who doesn't feel threatened being in the company of gods (and working with them to better the world).
Wonder Woman and Aquaman are the reluctant heroes. The ones who are more like descendants of gods, but had reasons to turn their backs on being active protrectors of the greater good of mankind. Flash and Cyborg are the humans who were damaged by family tragedy; one wants to save his father while the other resents his. Both end JL more at peace, and with a new sense of purpose.
Everyone has an arc, and everyone has plenty of roots to their comic book origins. If it doesn't connect with you, that's perfectly fine. But if you try to find the value of the Snyderverse (beyond the fact that it's fun to watch from a stylistic sense), it's definitely there. Might not be your cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it's entirely crap.
