Zack Snyder’s “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” isn’t so much a dawn of the Justice League as it is a glimpse of it along the horizon, and despite negative critical reception, the film has a wide appeal to avid comic book fans.

“Dawn of Justice” is a continuation of 2013’s “Man of Steel,” in which Metropolis is devastated by the fight between Superman (Henry Cavill) and General Zod (Michael Shannon).

The discovery of these godlike aliens sparks a worldwide debate regarding what should be done with the seemingly all-mighty Kryptonian.

The movie begins with Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) experiencing firsthand the consequences of their destructive battle. He prepares to fight against Superman with the reluctant help of his former guardian and technical expert Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons).

Irons is a delight to watch as a cynical assistant who criticizes Bruce instead of serving him tea as a butler.

Seeing DC’s Trinity together on the big screen is still hard to believe for hardcore fans of the comics.

Cavill’s Man of Steel is less of an over-achieving Boy Scout and more of a hesitant and superhuman being.

This works within the framework of the film, but he is vastly undercut by Affleck’s comic accurate interpretation of Frank Miller’s Batman in the graphic novel “The Dark Knight Returns.”

Miller’s Batman is a veteran at crime fighting and more physical than past incarnations. Affleck shines both as the philanthropic Wayne and skull-cracking Batman.

Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince is a mysterious side player in a larger conflict, but her portrayal of the fierce Amazonian Wonder Woman is impressive, especially in a genre where leading female superheroes are severely limited.

“Batman v. Superman” assumes that audiences have a basic knowledge of the history of these characters, wasting no time for explanations.

With this being only the second film in DC’s cinematic universe, the plot seems a bit rushed at times. Certain characters needed fleshing out, and as Snyder fails to expand upon plot points, several characters may come across as somewhat underdeveloped.

Amy Adams’ Lois Lane usually only serves to push the story forward, and Jessie Eisenberg’s unstable and manipulative Lex Luthor is never given a proper introduction.

Those who are well–versed in the comics’ lore, however, will find a plethora of references and teases that are sure to keep them anticipated for sequels.

Snyder’s DC Universe is more bleak than the average live action comic book movie. There are some light-hearted moments, but unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Snyder’s gritty interpretation is meant for more serious fans.

Those expecting an inspiring superhero flick with jokes throughout will likely be somewhat surprised by the darker cinematography that Snyder strove for.

While the title of the movie is “Batman v. Superman,” indicating a large and epic battle between the two, it should have been called “Batman Scuffles with Superman.” The marketing for this film hyped up a major confrontation, but it is only a minor part of a very long film.

The first half is very exposition-heavy and features heavy political drama that didn’t sit well with critics. Currently holding a 29 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the false expectation is what has sparked critics to completely denounce this film as a disaster.

Moviegoers have shown their disapproval of these uninformed ratings. The $170 million made opening weekend indicates that most fans who resist critical opinions and still appreciate the characters and the comics will still find something to enjoy from the film.

This is in part thanks to the movie’s superb and expensive visual effects. Snyder has shown his mastery behind the camera in his previous works, and this film is no exception.

Filmed in Detroit and Chicago, the movie’s action sequences are satisfying and present the fights with a believable intensity.

The movie’s visuals are complemented by a riveting soundtrack. Superhero soundtrack veteran Hans Zimmer teamed up with Junkie XL to compose original music for the film. These tracks often add additional excitement to the already tense fight scenes while producing a lighter mood for the more emotional scenes.
In conjunction with the visuals, they add to the experience, but alone, the soundtrack may sound out of place.

“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” isn’t afraid to take a risk. Instead of making a movie that would appeal to general audiences, Snyder crafted one that most fans will be grateful for.

While the film may have failed critically, its fan appeal and successful effects are sure to excite viewers for the upcoming Justice League movie.