Justice League just opened at my local theater and I learned it needs to gross 600 million dollars to make a profit. Because it’s a DC comic book movie, I think sheer nerd and geek curiosity will get it close. Is it a great movie? I encourage you to do your reading and decide if you want to go first. When you’ve seen it? Then you’ll know. The question is, do you need to know? I have no spoilers in my review below so feel free to check in here along your journey.
Justice League (2017)
PG-13 | 2h | Action, Adventure, Fantasy | 17 November 2017 (USA)Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.
Director: Zack Snyder
Writers: Chris Terrio (screenplay by), Joss Whedon (screenplay by) | 9 more credits ยป
Stars: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa
DC brought Zack Snyder back to do this film. This surprises me because there has been so much criticism of his past movie. Batman vs. Superman is one example. When will the behemoth studios give the millions to new directors with new ideas about movies? I’ll be happy when they do. This looks and feels like a rehashing of Batman vs. Superman. The colors are grey and dark but not in a way that made me intrigued. It appeared like a “look,” the same way a goth person has their look. It isn’t goth though, I’m simply saying there was an attempt to keep colors subdued and cityscapes greyer than they usually might be. It might work for some but for me, it felt depressing. So, I’m not sure how Zack Snyder keeps getting a gig with DC but it looks like we are in for yet another since he has been chosen to direct Suicide Squad 2. Zack, some more color would be awesome.
I’ll run through the actors: Gal Gadot is a show stealer. It’s no surprise to me they gave her ample screen time after the commercial and critical success of her Wonder Woman. I enjoyed her and her scenes. Ezra Miller as the Flash is a comic wonder. I absolutely loved his part and he delivered it all well. Even above Gadot, I think he is the star of this movie. Affleck and Cavill were flat, annoying, tired, and old. They some scenes zoomed in on Cavill’s teeth I thought I might gag. God bless you dentists out there, thank you for what you do. I for one could not get that close to peoples’ chompers every day. The other characters were also flat. I found myself looking at my watch during the first half of the film. It was like, we know the band is getting back together but why does it have to take so fucking long?
The story is pretty simple. IMDB can tell you better than I. The Justice League has to reform because of a demonic character named “Steppenwolf” who is named after a demon but also an awesome book by Hermann Hesse I read in college, unrelated to this crappy story. They all need each other and there are some trite quotes about “Team.” I really kind of wish there was no Affleck in team but hey, you can’t always get what you want. I’m not a fan of this genre but I do like some of the films: Ant Man, Hellboy, and Green Lantern are some examples. To date, I have not enjoyed any comic book character ensemble film so that may explain my Scrooge-like opinion of this film. I really wouldn’t recommend it as a great film but with enough popcorn, coke, and candy, it’s a few laughs and action moments worth seeing. I guess in a way, even Suicide Squad is and I consider that the worst I’ve seen of all of them. At the moment I am even more excited to see Lady Bird. That gives you an idea of what I get excited about.
6/10
