Poll Analysis: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Empire Strikes Back (1980) are very similar (21 votes)
Audience/critic reception sometimes do evolve with the times.
There are films that wasn't well-received during their times but on future viewings get better reception.
For the Star Wars franchise, Empire Strikes Back (1980) film is a good example of this. It was not very well received back then when it was released, but today it is regarded one of the best films and was actually selected for preservation in the United States' National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant".
Think about it, both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Empire Strikes Back (1980) are pretty similar:
| Comparison | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) | Empire Strikes Back (1980) |
|---|---|---|
| Film reception at time of release | Not very well-received | Mixed reception |
| Budding romance sideplot | Superman w/ Lois Lane | Han Solo w/ Leia Organa |
| New supporting character not seen in previous films aiding the main characters | Wonder Woman | Lando Calrissian |
| New antagonist not seen in previous films | Lex Luthor, Doomsday, KGBeast | Boba Fett |
| Mercenaries hired to hinder the protagonists | KGBeast hired to kill people to trigger Batman and Superman, and kidnapped Superman's foster mother | Boba Fett hired to track down Han Solo |
| Antagonist baiting the main characters | Lex Luthor smuggled a bomb to kill everyone during a congressional hearing, triggering Batman to take action and Superman to go on an exile. | On the orders of Darth Vader and Lando Calrissian captured Han Solo and Leia Organa so as to setup a trap for Luke Skywalker. |
| Setup for future films | Robin's joker-vandalized costume was shown, and there are cameos for Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman | Obi Wan: That boy was our last hope Yoda: No, there is another (Revelation of Leia as Luke's sister) |
| Main character receiving visions | Batman gets a vision of a dark future involving Superman | Luke Skywalker gets a vision of Obi-Wan asking him to seek Yoda |
| Main character goes against good advice | Alfred Pennyworth criticized Batman's decision to fight Superman, but Batman continues to train for the big moment | Against the wishes of Obi Wan and Yoda, Luke Skywalker abandons his training to rescue his friends |
| Epic confrontation | Batman vs Superman | Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader |
| Epic confrontation abruptly stopped | Batman stops fighting after being reminded of his dead mother | Luke Skywalker was disarmed and forced back by Darth Vader |
| Shocking twist at the end of the film | Superman was killed off | Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father |
Do you think Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) is in the same situation as that of Empire Strikes Back (1980)?
If yes, explain why. If no, explain why too.
Preferably do discuss specifically comparing the scenes between Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and explain why the characterization, story, film-making quality should/should not be comparable.
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