I'm also okay if it's more anger at the *method* of killing being overly brutal for the character's background than "Superman doesn't kill!" Valid argument there that this could be considered fixing.

You can also argue that at that stage in the movie, all of Metropolis/The World is at risk from Lex's black hole. But probably it all comes down to the neck snap. Like, if Snyder had him just PUNCH Zod, people might have excused it.

I remember a little how weirded out I was when TLJ showed Rey enthusiastically shouting when straight up killing the Red Guards. The Prequels got around this with druids, mostly, and the OT only had heroes kill Stormtroopers with guns. Small differences, but they can take you out of it.

This opens an interesting question about superhero ethics that obviously fandom isn’t interested in having but: Superman killing For the World feels like an obvious choice, but is Superman doing something he is against in killing to save 4 people actually less heroic?

It’s too bad fandom sucks because there are fun things to discuss!

Here's the other thing-- I like how BvS reframes the battle through Wayne's POV, making him a vessel for fan criticism as a fuel for his vengeance! That's interesting! I don't know if it's actually GOOD, but frankly it's as good an excuse to get them fight as anything!