JUSTICE LEAGUE

Director
Zack Snyder
(BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, MAN OF STEEL, 300)

Stars
Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Ciarán Hinds and Jeremy Irons

Many would agree that last year’s BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE was a felony committed to the superhero movie universe as well as our own senses. An undoubtedly apologetic continuation to the dull story told there, the reasonably improved JUSTICE LEAGUE is here to seek our pardon. Any admissions of forgiveness granted its way won’t be for its business-as-usual storyline basis, however.

The fifth instalment in DC’s extended universe film series is set not too long after the death of Superman (which you might recall occurred in YAWN OF JUSTICE, if you remained awake for long enough). Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) is seeking the assistance of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot; straight out of the pretty good WONDER WOMAN) to fight a new enemy named Steppenwolfe (Ciaran Hinds), who is searching for three energy-containing boxes that will give him an endless supply of power. Along the way, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince pursue Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller), Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Victor Stone/Cyborg (Ray Fisher) to recruit them and form a team of superheroes known as the Justice League.

Benefiting from the shortest running time of any DC film so far at two-hours, which in turn enables the pacing to be more consistent, JUSTICE LEAGUE holds itself accountable to delivering solid entertainment that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While its playful attitude keeps all of the moving parts of this film progressing along quite nicely, the plotting, storytelling and action sequences will not amaze its audience by any stretch. Most of its amusement comes from the wisecracking character Barry Allen/The Flash, with Ezra Miller’s rendition as one of this film’s novice superhero characters bound to be a fan favourite. Speaking of favourites, after a starring role in WONDER WOMAN that was physically great but emotionally grating, Gal Gadot fares much better courtesy of a more relaxed and far less wooden performance. She blends right in among her combative colleagues. Regardless of the level of enjoyment you may derive from several characteristics that JUSTICE LEAGUE has to offer, Ben Affleck’s representation of Batman stands as make or break for many. Though I highly doubt that this is the film to be the turning point to changing many negative perceptions, the lesser reliance on the character and a more noticeable light-heartedness in Affleck’s portrayal could be the beginning of acceptance and reconciliation before THE BATMAN eventually arrives to the big screen.