JUSTICE LEAGUE Review: Zack Snyder's Film Follows In WONDER WOMAN's Footsteps But Wobbles Along The Way

JUSTICE LEAGUE Review: Zack Snyder's Film Follows In WONDER WOMAN's Footsteps But Wobbles Along The Way

The Justice League review embargo has now lifted and the critical reaction has been decidedly mixed so far. What did we at CBM make of Zack Snyder's DC team-up adventure? You can find out after the jump...

Review Opinion
By MarkCassidy - Nov 15, 2017 09:11 AM EST
Filed Under: Justice League
Despite doing pretty well at the box office, the first 3 entries in Warner Bros.' rebooted DC Films Universe are generally looked upon by fans and critics alike as noble failures (well, we can probably drop the noble part for Suicide Squad), but Patty Jenkins' recent Wonder Woman movie was regarded as a step in the right direction that many hope Justice League will follow.

Good news, then, that Zack Snyder's film does continue down that path... it just wobbles a little along the way.

The biggest problem with Justice League is how rushed and cobbled together it feels at times - which was probably inevitable given the troubled production. The first half is all set-up, and owes more to the tone of the earlier franchise entries than Diana's first solo outing. Then, once the team is assembled, things get a lot jauntier and more quippy very quickly, and before we know it we're racing towards the finish line. In addition, the backlash against the percieved dourness of Batman V Superman has clearly prompted the studio to up the "fun" quota, but many may feel that they've gone too far in the other direction, as things do get quite cheesy from time to time. 

Still, as jarring as all of this can be, the cast/characters ensure that it's never less than an enjoyable ride. Those concerned about these interpretations of their favourite DC heroes have nothing to worry about, because the movie's main strength lies in the chemistry of the actors and the establishing of a near-perfect team dynamic.

Image result for justice league


Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman probably does emerge as the MVP, but she's followed closely by Ben Affleck's far less moody, if perhaps a little too light-hearted take on Batman. Ezra Miller's comic relief Flash is also a highlight - even if his deer-in-the-headlights routine threatens to get a little annoying. Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) have a bit less to do than the others, but there's still plenty of potential to expand upon in the future.

As for the resurrected Man of Steel? Let's just say those hoping for a more traditional take on the Big Blue Boy-scout won't be disappointed.

Unfortunately, the villain is pretty forgettable. As a character, Steppenwolf isn't the worst comic book antagonist we've seen, but the CGI used to bring him to life is, quite frankly, embarrassing. Still, he serves his purpose and gives our heroes something to rally against, which does result in some very impressive battle scenes. 

Justice League is a loud, brash, campy, exciting, hilarious, messy, but ultimately fulfilling superhero adventure. Its significant flaws mean it's unlikely to win over most critics, but comic book aficionados - particularly of the DC variety - should have a hell of a time with it. Personally, I left the screening with a big, stupid grin on my face, and I believe a good chunk of you lot will too.


Image result for four stars
JUSTICE LEAGUE Star Amy Adams Praises Henry Cavill And Talks James Gunn's SUPERMAN Recasting
Related:

JUSTICE LEAGUE Star Amy Adams Praises Henry Cavill And Talks James Gunn's SUPERMAN Recasting

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Reveals Which Of His Comic Book Movies He's The Proudest Of
Recommended For You:

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Reveals Which Of His Comic Book Movies He's The Proudest Of

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3 4 5 6
Meteor
Meteor - 11/15/2017, 9:52 AM
Saw it to day and it's disappointing to be short. The 2h runtime hurts the movie so much. The movie had a rough process. This is JL, this movie should have had the best care possible, it should have been an event like Episode VII. But the movie feels like we see clips of the characters but oddly we see only them. And movie studio should really consider delay a movie like video game studios do when there is the need. And JL needed a delay, at least for the CGI. I'm hopeful for Wan's Aquaman since it seems WB did let do his thing.
Archgoat
Archgoat - 11/15/2017, 12:48 PM
@Meteor - I agree that it was released too early but I think WB didn't delay it to 2018 because it would be too close to Infinity War.
TheFurious
TheFurious - 11/15/2017, 9:53 AM
Shut the f--- up and take my money. I thought I'd be a disaster now it seems to be fine. We ride!
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 11/15/2017, 9:53 AM
I just read The Batman Who Laughs over lunch. [frick]ing awesome.

scapegoatjones
scapegoatjones - 11/15/2017, 10:21 AM
@blackandyellow - killer its out? the real questions is it online yet, for the peeps still at work...
FleischerSupes
FleischerSupes - 11/15/2017, 9:53 AM
Probably a fair assessment. Wish I had more to say.
AT3374
AT3374 - 11/15/2017, 9:54 AM
So a B , B- then . Still excited to see this . Nuff said .
ODanil
ODanil - 11/15/2017, 9:57 AM
Well, that's promissing. I'm starting to think this will actually be fresh.
VictorKrueger
VictorKrueger - 11/15/2017, 8:25 PM
@ODanil - Despite the 48% it currently has on RT?
ODanil
ODanil - 11/16/2017, 3:16 AM
@411IDSigo -
VictorKrueger
VictorKrueger - 11/16/2017, 11:33 AM
@411IDSigo - CORRECTION 40%

DAMN!!!!!

blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 11/15/2017, 9:57 AM
@rormachine

"which was probably inmevitabel given the trobled production."


Feel free to delete this comment.

MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 11/15/2017, 10:00 AM
@blackandyellow - Not at all.. thanks for the heads up!
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 11/15/2017, 9:57 AM
Steppenwolf's finished CGI has always looked a bit wonky. Interestingly, many people have been differing on who their favorite members of the League are (though no one has really claimed Cyborg by a wide margin). The tonal shifts seem to be noticeable, but still a fun ride. That's a ll I want out of it. But it's still bizarre that Elfman uses his Age of Ultron score in the movie.
Spidey91
Spidey91 - 11/15/2017, 7:24 PM
@MosquitoFarmer - what part of AoU score did he used?
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 11/15/2017, 7:34 PM
@Spidey91 - It's the main theme, carried over and updated from the first movie. This is the credits version, but he litters it throughout the Justice League soundtrack at times.

MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 11/15/2017, 7:39 PM
@Spidey91 - I don't want to go searching around the whole soundtrack, but there's a hint of it here at the 3:00 mark, for example.

Spidey91
Spidey91 - 11/15/2017, 7:52 PM
@MosquitoFarmer - holy sh*t, I hear it. wow, he serioulsy remixed Batman, Superman AND Avengers music into this? well, the movie is pretty much ripping off Avengers, might as well the music too :P
DoubleD
DoubleD - 11/15/2017, 9:58 AM

"Its significant flaws mean it's unlikely to win over most critics"
GrimaF4ndango
GrimaF4ndango - 11/15/2017, 9:59 AM
Who would say, in a year with a Justice League movie, a thor movie would be the best ........




I would say.
1 2 3 4 5 6
View Recorder