After the smash success of Wonder Woman over the summer, a lot was resting on the shoulders of the Justice League. D.C. has been according to critics and fans, hit or miss since the reboot of the Superman franchise.
Last year's Suicide Squad was universally panned, I however enjoyed parts of it. Was it cinematic genius? No. Was it the worst comic book movie? No. I even enjoyed Batman vs. Superman. It takes a lot to get me to dislike a comic book movie. Justice League, D.C.'s answer to the Avengers franchise was hit with unfortunate circumstances during the shoot. Zack Snyder's daughter died and he was unable to finish the film. The studio brought in Joss Whedon to finish the project. I found it interesting that Whedon received a writing credit on screen, but not a directing credit. |
Whose Who in Justice League
Ben Affleck - Batman / Bruce Wayne Henry Cavill - Superman / Clark Kent Amy Adams - Lois Lane Gal Gadot - Wonder Woman / Diana Prince Ezra Miller - The Flash / Barry Allen Jason Mamoa - Aquaman / Arthur Curry Ray Fisher - Cyborg / Victor Stone Jeremy Irons - Alfred Directed By: Zack Snyder (and Joss Whedon) |
Cast & Chemistry
A big part of any large ensemble movie is the chemistry between the cast. I feel the actors in the JL all gelled well together and had great banter back and forth. I enjoyed watching them on screen. I enjoyed every scene Affleck and Mamoa shared. Let's be honest, I enjoyed every single second that Jason Mamoa was on the screen. He's not just a gorgeous face folks, this man can act as well.
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What Went Right?
Ezra Miller as Barry Allen. I personally have seen many versions of the Flash over the years. On Smallville, he was a cocky petty thief. On the hit CW show The Flash, he is a good two-shoes that works in the Crime Lab. Here, Miller plays Barry as an innocent, lonely young man that desperately needs friends. The JL is his first foray into full on superherodom. We still have the same old story, his dad was convicted of killing his mom and Barry is trying to prove his innocence.
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As this is the first full movie for The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, Snyder did a wonderful job of giving you just enough information and time with the characters. He didn't make it overwhelming as was the case with Suicide Squad. I believe that Cyborg has the most compelling story in the film. He is the product of his father's inability to loose his son after loosing his wife. He saved his son after Victor was blown up in a explosion - I'm guessing the same one that took his wife. Victor is struggling with all of his new abilities but it seems as if he has the best powers of anyone. He can fly, he can control technology and he just may be the heart of this newfound team.
At the beginning of the movie, we get a flashback to a battle with the films big bad, Steppenwolf. Green Lanterns!!! They show us Green Lanterns. Atlantians, Amazons, Man, Gods and Green Lanterns fought against Steppenwolf in the past, and won. The main plot of the films revolves around him coming back to claim the Mother Boxes. One held by Atlantians, another by the Amazons and the third, by Man. Steppenwolf has come for them, for some reason, more on that below.
At the beginning of the movie, we get a flashback to a battle with the films big bad, Steppenwolf. Green Lanterns!!! They show us Green Lanterns. Atlantians, Amazons, Man, Gods and Green Lanterns fought against Steppenwolf in the past, and won. The main plot of the films revolves around him coming back to claim the Mother Boxes. One held by Atlantians, another by the Amazons and the third, by Man. Steppenwolf has come for them, for some reason, more on that below.
What Went Wrong?
Steppenwolf. I don't understand what he was trying to accomplish and where the hell he even came from. If I have one complaint with the movie, it would be this. He mentions Darkside at one point, but then its never brought up again.
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I would have liked a better, bigger bad, but I'm assuming that will come, if they get a sequel. There are two post credit sequences that line up a sequel, so we'll just have to wait and see. Speaking of lining up, the team lines up a lot in the film. Seems like every 15 minutes, they were in a line. I actually laughed to myself in the theater toward the end of the film when they lined up yet again. They do look good together in a line, but it did really make me laugh.
I heard various things on Twitter about how strange the CGI was on Henry Cavill's face, but I truly didn't notice. I could have possibly been staring at his abs, but don't quote me on that. I also didn't see the multiple lingering shots of Gal Gadot's butt. I only saw two that made me go, hmm was that necessary.
I think people just have such a hard-on for Marvel that they can't possibly fit D.C. into their lives. Some people say you can't be a Star Trek and a Star Wars. I don't think that is true. I also think you are capable of being a Marvel and a D.C. I've enjoyed each of the films thus far, even Suicide Squad (minus Enchantress, what a piece of shit that performance was).
I heard various things on Twitter about how strange the CGI was on Henry Cavill's face, but I truly didn't notice. I could have possibly been staring at his abs, but don't quote me on that. I also didn't see the multiple lingering shots of Gal Gadot's butt. I only saw two that made me go, hmm was that necessary.
I think people just have such a hard-on for Marvel that they can't possibly fit D.C. into their lives. Some people say you can't be a Star Trek and a Star Wars. I don't think that is true. I also think you are capable of being a Marvel and a D.C. I've enjoyed each of the films thus far, even Suicide Squad (minus Enchantress, what a piece of shit that performance was).
The Future of the Justice League
Critics and movie goers both panned the film and made fun of its opening weekend gross of $93 million and change. JL had a budget of 300 Million, meaning it did not quite meet expectations. To date, it has a world-wide gross of $278 million.
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I find it disturbing that a movie has to gross 100+ million on opening weekend or it is a failure. It wasn't so long ago that that was a rarity, not the norm. Are we expecting too much? In the days of streaming rights, digital copies and cable viewings, are box office numbers really that important? I will pre-order Justice League to my MoviesAnywhere account. My days of buying Blu-Rays are almost behind me. You need to be a Star Wars, Harry Potter or cheap pick-up on Black Friday for me to purchase discs anymore. I just don't watch them. I prefer to stream, and I think many people would agree with me, I would pay you the second I walk out of the theater to get a digital copy of a film.
Final Thoughts
Stop being so hard on the D.C. universe. Just have fun and enjoy it. Plus, Mamoa. Seriously, Mamoa. Do I need to say it again, because I will. MAMOA!!!! James Wan will be directing Mamoa in the upcoming solo Aquaman movie coming in 2018. Can I just buy it now? I mean, Mamoa, Patrick Wilson, Graham McTavish and Nicole Kidman in one movie. My head, its exploding. Yes, I intentionally left Amber Heard off that list and didn't mention her until now. She irrates the shit out of me and I won't to not admit we have to put up with her presence. She plays Mera, so I know she will be a love interest for Arthur. Gross. Ugh. Okay, I'm over it.
I'm excited to see where the D.C.E.U. is headed.
Score: 7/10, simply because I don't get Steppenwolf's motives or goals.
I'm excited to see where the D.C.E.U. is headed.
Score: 7/10, simply because I don't get Steppenwolf's motives or goals.
Images: Warner Bros. Pictures
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