Justice League (2017)

Justice League (2017)

5/10

Starring

Ben Affleck

Gal Gadot

Jason Momoa

Ray Fisher

Henry Cavill

Directed by Zack Snyder

There’s a lot wrong with this movie, and at times, it’s just plain boring. Plagued by a weak plot and CGI effects that could’ve been better (Superman’s reshoot scene and some Cyborg scenes, for example), Justice League feels like a weak response to Marvel’s Avengers.

Did I enjoy the movie?
A little bit.

Unlike Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok (2017), which was competing for the same attention as DC’s Justice League, Ragnarok had enough excitement to keep you entertained, even if you noticed plot holes. Justice League’s downside becomes obvious when the leads start talking—it’s dull, unlike Marvel’s snappy dialogue. There are moments where you just wish they’d skip the unnecessary chatter, resurrect Superman, and get on with saving the world.

Does the movie live up to the hype needed for the Justice League’s big-screen debut? Hell no.

Justice League is the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe, picking up right where Batman v Superman (2016) left off. We see the effects of Superman’s death on the world. His presence was like a lighthouse, warning many (including aliens) to stay away from Earth. Now that he’s gone, an ancient evil villain has returned to continue his quest for world domination, which was interrupted thousands of years ago.

The lead villain in this movie is Steppenwolf. Thousands of years ago, he tried to conquer and remake Earth using the combined energies of the Mother Boxes. His plan was foiled by the combined forces of the Olympian Gods, Amazons, Atlanteans, humans, and Green Lanterns. They defeated Steppenwolf, separated the Mother Boxes, and hid them apart.

Now, Steppenwolf is reassembling the boxes, having already taken the ones from the Amazons and Atlanteans. He’s now after the one held by humans. Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) decides to gather the best of the best to stop this threat. He recruits Aquaman/Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), Diana/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Barry Allen/Flash (Ezra Miller), and Victor Stone/Cyborg (Ray Fisher). Together, however, they’re no match for Steppenwolf, so they decide to bring back the one person they believe can tip the scales in their favor: Clark Kent/Superman (Henry Cavill).

They resurrect Superman, the Justice League is formed, and they set out to save the world.

The movie’s plot isn’t any deeper than what’s written above, and there’s no special twist. Watch out for Superman’s resurrection scenes—at least that part of the movie got me excited. By the end, you’ll likely share my feeling: this could’ve been done better.

I can’t recommend this movie with the same conviction I had when I said to go watch Thor: Ragnarok (2017). With Disney’s Coco releasing in the second week of Justice League’s run, the latter has its work cut out for it in recouping its budget and turning a profit—something I believe it’ll manage to do in the end.