After a rocky start with the likes of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, the DCEU is showing signs of improvement. With all the reports on its troubled production, Justice League, the highly anticipated gathering of DC’s finest heroes does deliver as a big, colorful, and mostly successful smorgasbord of characters and action.
We pick up the action after the events of BvS with the world still reeling from the death of Superman and Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne/Batman attempting to assemble a team of unique invidivuals to combat a threat quickly approaching Earth. You know, that old chestnut.
Joining his crew is of course, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller as The Flash who provides the movie’s comic relief, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, and Ray Fisher as Victor Stone a.k.a. Cyborg who likes what happened if Tony Stark created the Terminator. Just like the Avengers, it’s all about the who’s who of their respective comic book universe and it reminds of combining the lead singers of some of the biggest rock bands.
They come together to battle an evil alien known as Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds) and his army of Parademons. Steppenwolf arrives on Earth looking for devices called Mother Boxes which will lead to the world’s destruction. Hinds’ villain is perhaps the most underwhelming aspect of the film as there’s no little to no character development or real motivation behind his actions.
Of course, there’s still one other member of the JL that is missing in action and when he makes his triumphant return, he packs a wallop especially during the finale. Let’s just say he’s faster than a speeding bullet.
Director Zack Snyder who had to step away from post-production work following the death of his daughter still gets credit and Joss Whedon of Avengers fame stepped in to handle and his handiwork shows during the necessary reshoots. The cast has terrific chemistry and camadarie and each one has his or her own moments where they do get some great work even if one or two actors do feel a little rushed.
It doesn’t hit the near-perfect heights of Wonder Woman, but thanks to some sensational action, great humor, and an all-around, high-powered cast, Justice League should and does satisfy fans and will hopefully improve more and more with the DCEU. One can only hope.
Grade: B+
(Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action.)
