Batman V Superman: Allegory Video Looks At Film In An Amazing New Way

Zack Snyder is known for filling his movies with references to beloved storylines and characters. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is no different, and is absolutely filled with small easter eggs and homages to other popular works.

Homage would be oversimplifying it, however, so Vimeo user V (via Reddit) put together a comparison trailer that frames much of Batman v Superman as an almost 3-hour allegory. Some of these are more just homages though, as in the various works of art that Snyder mirrors or directly features throughout like Paradise Lost (Gustave Dore), The Bath (Alfred Stevens), and A Balance of Terror (Cleon Peterson). More subtle references show up as well, like the Lex hallway scene that is inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey from Stanley Kubrick.

While there aren't as many actual allegories here, there are a few, like the Knightmare Batman scene where Bruce is trussed up in the middle, alluding to the crucifixion. The same could be said for Lex's pouring of his blood over the body of Zod, an ode to the act of baptism. Superman has always had parallels to the story of Jesus Christ, and that has been played up by directors over the years as well.

You can view the full trailer above.

Snyder loves to reference other popular works, including Frank Miller's, who's Dark Knight Returns serves as a foundation for much of Batman v Superman. Miller was recently asked what his Dark Knight would look like on screen, and he had this to say.

"My dream would be to make it much smaller. To lose the toys and to focus more on the mission, and to use the city a great deal more. Because he's got a loving relationship with the city he's protecting. And unlike Superman his connection to crime is intimate; it has been ever since his parents were murdered. And he defeats criminals with his hands. So it would be a different take. But it will never be in my hands, because it would not be a good place to make toys from. There wouldn't be a line of toys."

The next Batman project will be Ben Affleck and Geoff Johns untitled solo film, which is looking to release sometime in 2018. Up first though is Wonder Woman, which hits theaters on June 9, 2017, followed by Justice League, which lands in theaters on November 17, 2017.