Reviews have started to come in for the ultimate edition to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and so far they’ve been positive. Many critics have cited how the ultimate edition is able to expand the story more coherently and how the characters intentions are a lot clearer. However, people have now started to wonder as to why this version of the movie wasn’t released in the first place. It apparently seems as if Warner Bros. were simply not comfortable enough with releasing a 3 hour length film into the multiplexes.
Speaking with Collider back in March, Zack Snyder explained that the ultimate edition was the version that he was working with right until the end. Unfortunately for him, Warner Bros felt it was simply too long to release and ordered the film to be cut down.
“It was in there until very recently, so all of it’s finished. It was really just a function of time, to be honest. Because the movie’s long now, longish. I don’t think it’s long, but when you get over two and a half hours the studio starts getting nervous. I’m not James Cameron who’s like ‘No it’s three hours, suck it!’, which is cool by the way. I just wanted to try and get it to a length that is workable.”
Although it’s understandable from Warner Bros. point of view, the decision to cut just over half an hours worth of footage has ended up costing them in the long run. Critics were not too kind upon initial release, with many finding problems with its ‘uneven narrative’ and some fans were left feeling frustrated due to a number of ‘plot holes’ which all in all left BvS failing to reach the studios high expectations. It now seems that Warner Bros. have an uphill struggle to win the people back with their next installments into the DC Cinematic Universe. If there’s one positive to take from all this, it’s that the ultimate edition sounds like a good start to get people back on side.
So what did you think of BvS? Do you think it was harshly criticized? Are you looking forward to Justice League? Sound off down below!
Source: Collider