Pfangirl Through the Looking Glass

I’m not the first one to make this comparison, but the two big superhero ensemble movies of this year essentially cover the same ground. Both Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice , from Warner - DC , and Captain America: Civil War , from Disney - Marvel , see costumed heroes facing off over the issue of culpability and accountability. As tensions rise over a 2-and-a-half hour running time, other heroes are drawn out of the woodwork – particularly powerful royal warriors from reclusive nations. Hell, there are even vengeful ordinary joes in the mix in both cases, performing acts of terrorism to escalate the conflict. The difference between the two films really lies in how successfully these elements are handled and interwoven. Civil War is the clear winner in this regard. Batman Vs. Superman certainly has its moments – the opening twenty minutes, the thrill of seeing several iconic panels from Frank Miller ’s The Dark Knight Returns brought to life, Ben Affleck ’s spot-on portr...