Sandy Kenyon reviews 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice'

NEW YORK (WABC) -- One of the year's most highly-anticipated superhero movies is now in theaters, but does "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" live up to the hype?

To say Warner Bros. has a lot riding on the success of the film is an under statement, as the company is already betting a chunk of its future on sequels based on the story.

And that means many in Hollywood are anxious to see how pitting the strongest man in the universe against the Black Knight does at the box office.

The last movie featuring the Man of Steel was a hit with everyone except the critics, so is the Superman franchise more entertaining when it butts heads with Batman?

The answer is yes, and the reason lies with the guy who is playing the Caped Crusader. Ben Affleck lends an extra measure of depth and pathos to Batman and his millionaire alter-ego Bruce Wayne.

It is a tale of innocence lost, so far gone that "Batman v Superman" is a story of two anti-heroes.

The "bat vigilante" is considered a one-man reign of terror, while the actions of the savior known as Superman have cost hundreds of lives and raised questions about his motives.

The situation is ripe for exploitation by Lex Luthor, who finds a way to pit the the two against each other.

Christian Bale reinvented the character as the "Dark Knight," and Heath Ledger was unforgettable as the Joker, but Jesse Eisenberg is a worthy villain who, along with Wonder Woman and the others, almost disguise the simple fact the fight is contrived.

The beef is based on a misunderstanding, but it's fun while it lasts.

"Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" is at least 20 minutes too long and too violent, but it's more enjoyable than most critics give it credit for. It's not a great movie, but it is entertaining enough to justify the cost of seeing it on the biggest screen you can find.