JUSTICE LEAGUE REVIEW: Is it really THAT bad?

The Justice League is the stuff of movie legend, for all the wrong reasons. But is it really THAT bad?

The DCEU is nothing but controversial. I find myself frustrated and excited by the potential of these great movies, yet consistently I get let down. Somehow Warner Bros always manages to miss the mark with the DCEU and regrettably does so again with the Justice League. My mind was whirring with corrective ideas to save our heroes from yet more cinematic peril. So I have taken my fandom into my own hands and drafted my own solution to bring Justice to the League, watch this space. until then…

The following review contains spoilers and is not for the faint-hearted DC. You have been warned!

With such huge trepidation this movie needed to start with a bang, a triumphant explosion of excitement or a sucker punch of emotion at the very least. We get neither. Following a snippet of Superman gone viral, we are served a basic Bat-bitch vs thug rooftop encounter that whimpers through the supposed ‘Big threat to the world’s arrival. Until we see the memories of Superman haunting the planet. Snyder delivers that emotional beat with beautiful simplicity and depth. The world is in mourning. The man of steel is gone and people truly care. It’s the opening scene he deserved but arrives too late. Then Wonder Woman, like Batman, is given an embarrassingly low threat to mark her triumphant return to audiences. and just like that Its time to get the gang together, apparently.

Aquaman's intro definitely has promise but does suffer from Justice League’s decidedly damp dramatic choices. Aquaman, played by Jason Mamoa, is the whiskey swigging modernized machismo I wanted. He has douchebag likeability bubbling beneath the surface however, with little screen time and dim dialogue, I didn’t get to know the king of Atlantis at all. His powers are never fully explained and sadly Atlantis is skimmed over (maybe it wasn’t so lost after all?) and non comic fans are left to wonder, who is Mera? Mamoa does deliver some funny lines and could be great given the right material to sink his pitch-fork into.  I guess it’s up to James Wans to truly hook us into the Aquaman in 2018.




The two “Accidents” of the league Cyborg and Flash fare way better in the introduction knockout rounds of this movie compared to Aquaman. Ray Fischer's Cyborg is truly fantastic as the tortured technological teen Victor Stone. He never asked for this ‘upgrade’ and shows the inner conflict of being a Franken-bot. His constant re-boots got me excited to see what Cyborg could eventually do. With Fischers performance at the steering wheel he is in safe hands. The lack of character development given to such a great actor is insane. However Fischer breaks through the barriers of the script with subtle dignity, “Booyah!?”

But it's Flash who is given the biggest role of the newbies (lucky Ezra Miller) as the funny man. Comedic relief is a great gig for any movie and Millers portrayal of Flash got a lot of laughs. His awkward delivery works but, yet again, I wanted more. More ADHD speedster moments, don’t be afraid to go zany DC! The speed force looked great, despite his Phoebe Buffet-esque running style. The Flash is a fresh addition to the team but so much more than the ‘Funny One’. Most comedians usually mask a dark side perfect for the DC tone. We are teased a developed character with daddy drama. I am confident we will get to see that in the future from a fully fleshed out Flash.

The first act swipes through our legendary heroes introductions like a drunken tinder binge. Each character gone before any real depth can be discovered. Lazy storytelling or clever ploy for future solo movies? Either way I needed a lot more from each new League member.

The holy trinity of DC heroes: Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman are the foundations of this film and rightly so. However, Batman sadly loses out in the trios’ big screen portrayal. Ben Affleck as Batman is not given the justice he deserves. He portrays Bruce Wayne incredibly well. However, he is a weary Wayne. Batman appears almost ‘over it’ and struggling with his life choices. He even declares Superman’s humanity far greater than his own solitary existence. We need more of this grey scale, its what makes the Batman so beloved. The inclusion of his Wonder Woman crush would of dug deeper had we known more of the Batman in this iteration. Audience and Affleck deserve to delve into the dark knights lonely world. The foundations are there but the material lets Batman down. He is decidedly boring due to simple lack of action and drama. Bring me the brooding bat  with bite that I know Affleck can deliver.

Joss Whedon. Be gone!

Gal Gadot is simply sensational casting, as we saw in Wonder Woman. Gadot shines yet again as Diana Prince. Gadot packs her mightiest punch as the beating heart of the league. Not because she is a woman but because she cares. You do miss the expert guidance of Patty Jenkins and sadly aspects of Wonder Woman’s portrayal reek of Joss Whedons creepy influence. Boob jokes and butt shots aplenty to remind it really is the world of men. Wonder Woman has to battle marginalisation alongside her Themysciran sisters and save the world. Wonder Woman and The GLAM-azons try to hit back against misogyny with their skimpier outfits and offer an, almost, amazing battle scene. Boy do they command our attention! particularly when handled right. Gal Gadots performance manages to cut the crap thrown at Wonder Woman and shines against all odds. Patty Jenkins, we need you!    

Superman truly is the center of the DC universe. Henry Cavill finally shows the Superman we know and love. His resurrection rampage is the best of the movie. The prospect of a ‘super man’ is terrifying but the sincerity of Clark Kent is what makes the Man out of the man of steel. Again, we could have been given more drama and deeper dialogue. particularly when dealing with a lousy Lois (sorry Amy Adams). Superman is so popular not in his cape, but as Clark Kent. His relationship with humanity is unique to any superhero and, whilst attempted in BvS, this conflict of existence is where the real story lies: ‘Gods among men’. Superman makes a welcome return to our screens and undoubtedly deserves a solo sequel to prove his worth. I believe Superman is the key to fixing the DCEU and bring hope back to this floundering franchise. Lets get Superman right!

Heroes aside the end of the world is coming, supposedly. With a tag line like: “You cant save the world alone”. You expect a badass villain. Well… we get Steppenwolf. A mid-level video-game boss at best. The CGI is criminal and his action is as flat at his digital nose. There literally isn’t much to say on the ‘Ender of worlds’. He monologues aimlessly; his minions would be better suited to ‘Despicable Me’ and well... NEXT!

I find myself torn with the Justice League. It’s the movie that could have been. The casting is exceptional; the source material is incredible. But, it just simply didn’t go deep enough. In a world already so fucked up we need escapism and heroes. We got Justice League light. The direction is split and it shows. I feel Snyder actually had the right destination but Joss Whedon, who stepped in to help finish the movie, pulled the breaks too cautiously. The laughs needed to be louder, the bad-guy, badder and the heroes mightier.

Should you see Justice League? Yes. Please do, this movie needs support so we can see future installments done correctly. The actors shine despite the grey cloud of dismal dialogue. The imagery is atmospheric and distinctly DC. The sound track is inspiring and when given the chance the heroes show you an awesome time.

There is so much potential in this movie that I hope for an extended cut. The Justice League deserves its glory and I have a hunch that next time the heroes unite. It will be spectacular.

Justice League 
has to be seen to be believed
in theatres now