“Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice” has a 29 percent rating, at last check, on the movie reviewers’ web site, Rotten Tomatoes.

No movie with a rating lower than 63 percent previously opened with more than $150 million at the box office. “Batman v Superman“ (“BvS,” as in “Batman versus Superman”) opened domestically with $170 million, setting several records.

Don’t believe the critics, at least not the other critics. The “BvS” audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 72 percent. I’m with the audience. After all, with the internet (as in the days of yore at Ye Olde Video Store), everbody’s a critic, right?

Neither “Movie Maven” Michael Gontkosky nor myself was looking forward to seeing “BvS.” We were surprised. We agreed that “BVS” is a great film on multiple levels. “BvS” is one of the best celluloid superhero movies ever, perhaps the best, raising the bar in the genre for story, character development and action.

Many reviewers are missing the point with “BvS,” a fascinating origin story which delves into religion belief systems (good versus evil, the nature of God) and philosophical underpinnings, rooted in the dogma of DC Comics superheroes, which, to me, are more psychologically in-depth than Marvel Comics superheroes. “BvS” is the thinking man’s and woman’s superhero action movie.

Yes, “BvS” is loud, long (at two and one-half hours) and violent (with thankfully little graphic blood-spilling and bone-crunching detail). The pacing, performances and action sequences are compelling and keep you involved.

The casting is particularly good.

Henry Cavill was born to play Clark Kent-Superman. Cavill’s even more convincing than in his debut as Superman in ”Man of Steel” (2013). His chiseled facial features and that dimple on his chin are perfect. His body, stance and dialogue intonation brings the proper gravitas to the role.

Ben Affleck is an inspired choice to portray Bruce Wayne-Batman. He seems to have the bulked-up body of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His narrow eyes, rueful lips and terse dialogue delivery tell us that Batman is one ticked-off superhero.

Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor might seem an odd choice. Eisenberg’s staccato clipped speech brings a manic intensity to the role. His body language adds a sense of Shakespeare’s King Richard III hunchback.

Amy Adams provides an emotional link for the viewer. She brings a bright believability to the role that helps us make sense of the Superman-Clark Kent duality.

Jeremy Irons has an expanded role as Alfred, here more second-in-command than butler, keeping Batman “up to data” from what is more Mission Control than Batcave.

The excellent cast includes Holly Hunter as the fictional Senator Finch.

Diane Ladd has a crucial plot turn reprise as Superman’s mom. Kevin Costner as Superman’s dad is seen in a dream sequence of Superman’s.

Laurence Fishburne as Daily Planet editor Perry White is a smart choice, as well.

Gal Gadot (“Fast & Furious” series) is a terrific new addition as Diane Prince-Wonder Woman (said to be depicted on the big screen, as is the case with The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, for the first time).

Cameos by real-life newcasters give verisimilitude to the action in Metropolis and Gotham.

The Superman and Batman suits bear mention. The Superman suit gives the appearance of being made of Kevlar with an embossed “S” design on the chest area. The Batman suit gives the sense of characters from “Terminator” and the “Transformers” movies.

“BvS” has many set-ups and action sequences on the way to the main event: Superman going one-on-one with Batman. We won’t play spoiler here as to how that unfolds and what it’s outcome is.

A crack team of smart superhero film-makers has been assembled: Zack Snyder (director: “Man of Steel,” 2013; “Watchmen,” 2009; “300,” 2006), directing from a screenplay by Chris Terrio (Oscar, adapted screenplay, “Argo,” 2012) and David S. Goyer (screenplay: “Man of Steel”; story: “The Dark Knight Rises,” 2012; “The Dark Night,” 2008; “Batman Begins,” 2005) from the Batman character created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and the Superman character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The story line is based on the graphic novel, “The Dark Knight Returns,” by Frank Miller.

The screenplay is influenced by many other films and real-life events: 9-11 and the aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse, Congressional hearings, Middle East terrorist hostages, suicide bombings, the Frankenstein story, a “Fight Club” scene, “Fast & Furious” chases, to name a few. Snyder throws in everything but the kitchen sink. Wait! There’s a scene where a sink comes crashing down.

Snyder uses tight shots in the scenes with Batman and Superman. He lets the dialogue scenes breathe.

There’s a modicum of humor. “I’m a friend of your son,” Batman says to Superman’s mom. “I figured,” she says, pausing, then adds, “The cape.”

Director of photography Larry Fong (“Watchmen,” “300”) is back working with Snyder. Fong doesn’t hestitate to begin a scene imaginatively. Seasoned edtor David Brenner (Oscar, editing, “Born on the Fourth of July,” 1989) keeps the pace moving. The score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL references characters and adds to the action-scene excitement. For this review, “BvS” was seen in the 2D format. There are enough spectacular scenes and stunning visuals that might justify the added cost to see “BvS” in Imax 3D.

With “Suicide Squad” (set for release in 2016), “The Justice League, Part One” (2017) and “Part Two” (2018) and “Wonder Woman” (2017, with Gal Gadot back in the title role), the DC Extended Universe is getting a whole lot bigger and is poised to rival the ever-expanding Marvel Universe.

If superhero action films are among your favorites, don’t miss “Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice.” It more than justifies its existence.

“Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice,”MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality; Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction; Run time: 2 hrs., 31 mins. Distributed by Warner Bros.

Credit Readers Anonymous:Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has a cameo as Sen. Purrington. It’s his fourth Batman film with four different actors as Batman: Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck.

Box Office,April 1: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” continued at No. 1, despite the Kryptonite content reviews, with $52.3 million and $261.4 million, two weeks; “Zootopia” continued at No. 2 with $20 million, $275.9 million, five weeks; “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” continued at No. 3, with $11.1 million, $36.4 million, two weeks; “God’s Not Dead 2” opened at No. 4 with $8.1 million, and “Miracles from Heaven” dropped one place to No. 5 with $7.5 million, $46.8 million, three weeks; 6. “The Divergent Series: Allegiant,” $5.7 million, $56.3 million, three weeks; 7. 10 Cloverfield Lane,” $4.7 million, $63.5 million, four weeks; 8. “Meet the Blacks,” $4 million, opening; 9.“Eye in the Sky,” $4 million, $6.1 million, four weeks; 10. “Deadpool,” $3.5 million, $355.1 million, eight weeks.

Unreel,April 8:

“The Boss,”R: Ben Falcone directs Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage and Kristen Schaal in the comedy about a woman sent to prison for insider trading. When she gets out, will they forgive and forget?

“Before I Wake,”PG-13: Mike Flanagan directs Jacob Tremblay, Annabeth Gish, Kate Bosworth and Thomas Jane in the horror film about yet another young couple and a child whose nightmares come to life.

“Louder Than Bombs,”R: Joachim Trier directs Jesse Eisenberg, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy Ryan and Isabelle Huppert in the drama about a quarreling family and their varying memories of their mother, a war photographer.

“Demolition,”R: Jean-Marc Vallée directs Naomi Watts, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Heather Lind in the comedy about an investment banker coping with the death of his wife in a car crash.

“Hardcore Henry,”R: Ilya Naishuller directs Haley Bennett, Tim Roth and Sharlto Copley in the science-fiction film about a man named Henry who comes back to life with no memory as he fights an evil warlord.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes