This week at the movies: Batman and Superman light up the screen for a superhero showdown; and the larger-than-life family behind My Big Fat Greek Wedding is back again for more big fat laughs.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
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.
Perfect for: Comic-book/superhero movie fans (we know there’s a ton of you out there).
What the Critics Say: Overall, the critics are calling Batman V Superman sort of “so-so” when it comes to the quality of its action. But despite this hitch, they are still wildly praising its special effects and appreciate the idea of an ultimate standoff between the dark bat hero of Gotham and the infamous Man of Steel. The Washington Post sums it up rather nicely: “The best thing ‘B v S’ has to recommend is its visual effects, which are stunning. Batman and Superman have never looked better in a movie, and Wonder Woman makes a riveting entrance. Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot, respectively, also smartly look the part as the alter-egos to their super-identities. And arguably no comic-book movie has gotten the comic-book look down as brilliantly as ‘B v S’… [It] has enough going on that it should merit multiple viewings by geeks…”
Our Take: How could we ever choose between the brave and mysterious Batman and the strong and valiant Superman? We’ll have to go and see this one to find out…
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
Parenting and marriage is becoming tougher and tougher for Toula (Nia Vardalos) and her husband Ian (John Corbett). Not only has their relationship lost some of its spark, but they're also dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter who clashes with Greek traditions. On top of that, Toula must contend with aging parents and the endless needs of cousins and friends. When a shocking family secret comes to light, the entire Portokalos clan makes plans to come together for an even bigger wedding than before.
Perfect for: Those who saw and loved the original My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and those who adore funny rom-coms.
What the Critics Say: The jokes are a little “been-there-done-that,” but like its blockbuster predecessor, the story is still endearing and is doused with lots of lighthearted (and sometimes cringe-worthy) family humor. CBS reports: “The makers seem dedicated not only to the overall sweetness of the enterprise, with its depiction of a close-knit and caring, if often overbearing, family. But they are making sure that absolutely nobody misses any of the jokes or the points... My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 registers like a boisterous family reunion that you’re occasionally grateful you attended, but that far too often finds you wishing you could slip out the kitchen door and exit.” Although the movie’s comedic situations may be a bit predictable, at least the hilarious character of Aunt Voula (played by Andrea Martin) is back to keep us on our toes. Variety especially applauds Aunt Voula’s charming feistiness, dubbing Martin “the most significant scene stealer” of the whole cast.
Our Take: It’s always a tough contest for a long-awaited sequel to beat out the original (which we can’t believe debuted 14 years ago). Nonetheless, we feel this one deserves a chance since we loved the first film so much. Opa!