One of the Most Divisive Superhero Movies Ever Flies Onto New Streamer This Weekend (2024)

One of the most divisive in comic book movie history is all set to fly onto a new streaming home this weekend and, in exciting news for fans, it's the extended version. Which means even more divisiveness for your buck. Director Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition is due to land on Prime Video, meaning fans of the equally divisive filmmaker can bask in all 182 minutes of these far darker and more brooding versions of such superhero icons as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

Following on from 2013’s Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice reunites audiences with Henry Cavill’s Superman as he faces off with Ben Affleck as an aged and more world-weary Dark Knight. Directed by Zack Snyder, written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, and starring Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, and Gal Gadot, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition is all set to land on Prime Video on December 1. Check out the synopsis below:

“It's been nearly two years since Superman's (Henry Cavill) colossal battle with Zod (Michael Shannon) devastated the city of Metropolis. The loss of life and collateral damage left many feeling angry and helpless, including crime-fighting billionaire Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Convinced that Superman is now a threat to humanity, Batman embarks on a personal vendetta to end his reign on Earth, while the conniving Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) launches his own crusade against the Man of Steel.”

‘Batman v Superman’ Caused Huge Rifts Between Critics & Fans

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the first ever live-action movie to feature the titular DC titans together on screen. The Ultimate Edition features an extra 30 minutes of footage, with many feeling that this particular Snyder cut vastly improves on the version we saw in theaters. Unlike the prior version's PG-13 rating, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition is rated R thanks to an increased level of violence in what was described at the time as Snyder’s “original version” of the movie.

Upon release, Ben Kendrick of Screen Rant felt that, while Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition "improves upon many of the film's biggest narrative shortcomings," it does not "fundamentally change" the movie.

"That all said, a three-hour and two-minute cut of Batman V Superman feels long - and it's understandable why Warner Bros. attempted to hack the movie down to a more palatable runtime for casual filmgoers. Similarly, even though the movie includes a few more light-hearted moments (especially from Perry White and Alfred) as well as more background to justify the dour tone and explain why the characters are so joyless at times, the Ultimate Edition doesn't fundamentally change how the characters are portrayed or how Snyder approached this story."

While the divisiveness of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is reflected somewhat in the Rotten Tomatoes scores, 29% from critics and 63% from audiences, those who love and hate the movie have only grown further and further apart over time. Many feel that Batman v Superman is the pinnacle of these beloved characters on screen, while others believe the movie should be burned out of existence. Here’s hoping that James Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly emerging DCU fares better...

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

In this high-action film by Zack Snyder, the two DC superheroes face off against one another in a conflict spurred on by the villainous Lex Luthor. The film also features WonderWoman playing a role in the fight against Doomsday and other villains from beyond the Earth. As the world's two most powerful superheroes prepare to destroy each other, an unexpected commonality brings them together to defeat their real enemy.

Release Date

March 24, 2016

Director

Zack Snyder

Cast

Ben Affleck , Henry Cavill , Amy Adams , Jesse Eisenberg , Diane Lane , Laurence Fishburne , Jeremy Irons , Holly Hunter , Gal Gadot

Runtime

152 minutes