WHETHER you are team DC or team Marvel, there is no denying that the Justice League is one of the best superhero groups in comic history.
And for some reason, this group has fared better in animation than most live-actions on the silver screen. Except for Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, most DC movies centring on its heroes have been box-office disasters, receiving mixed reviews from fans and critics alike.
This year, the Patty Jenkins-directed Wonder Woman burst on the scene and became the most successful superhero movie out of the DC cinematic universe.
Suddenly, it seemed new life had been breathed into DC and with Gal Gadot reprising her role as Diana Prince (Wonder Woman), Justice League became DC’s new hope for box office success.
The latest instalment follows the events of the previous Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice and Wonder Woman.
Ben Affleck resumes his role as Bruce Wayne (Batman), Henry Cavill as Clark Kent (Superman), Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth.
Jason Momoa stars as Arthur Curry (Aquaman), Ezra Miller as Barry Allen (Flash), Ray Fisher as Victor Stone (Cyborg), JK Simmons as Commissioner Jim Gordon and Ciaran Hinds as Steppenwolf, the movie’s protagonist.
The movie starts with the world mourning the loss of Superman (as seen in the previous BvS instalment), which leads Bruce Wayne to take charge and protect the planet with a few other superheroes.
The new characters of Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg all face their own demons and take some convincing to come on board and join the league.
Long story short, the planet is facing a threat from Steppenwolf, a conqueror from the planet Apokolips, which you would normally associate with characters like Darkseid, Granny Goodness or the Female Furies.
Steppenwolf, who tried to conquer Earth before, was defeated after humans, Atlanteans, Amazons and the gods formed a resistance.
Centuries later when humans were divided, Amazons were on Themyscira and Atlantis was under water, Steppenwolf launched a second attack on Earth after Superman died, resulting in the Jformation of the ustice League.
The plot is very similar to 2014’s animation Justice League: War.
Now, story aside, you can tell the writers tried so very hard to make this movie work. And in some instances, it does.
However, the plot holes and just bad decision making by the characters at times is cringe-worthy at best.
Like, how did Barry get the money to build an expensive suit or get such high-quality tech equipment? Also, the whole Superman ordeal? Who deals with the aftermath?
But hey, it’s a superhero movie so we shouldn’t take everything too seriously. Taking a page from Marvel, Justice League decidedly had subtle (sometimes not so subtle) moments of humour that was frankly, refreshing.
For me personally, Wonder Woman is the star of the show. Miller’s Flash is as charming, funny and the nerdy little brother-figure you can’t help but adore.
Momoa brings quite a unique twist to Aquaman’s character and as we see in the movie, is still coming to terms with his Atlantean heritage, something I’m hoping will be explored more in the upcoming Aquaman flick.
I feel Batman in the Snyderverse is more broody and less Batman-y than we’re used to. At his core, Batman is a strategist and a thinker, quick on his feet and who is tactical and analytical, which is something I haven’t seen from Affleck’s portrayal. Maybe it’s just me but you be the judge.
Overall, the movie was better than I anticipated and if the bonus scenes are anything to go by, we are in for more.
So see it for yourself, DC fans. And a word of advice, stay until all the credits roll for the two bonus scenes.
