Rated: M
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Screenplay Written by: Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon
Story by: Chris Terrio & Zack Snyder, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Produced by: Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns
DC Super Heroes: Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg
Also starring: Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta and Joe Morton as Silas Stone, and expands the universe by introducing J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, and Amber Heard as Mera.
Based on characters from DC comics, Justice League is a team of superheroes brought together by Wonder Woman and Batman to fight against the world’s old nemesis, Steppenwolf.
Previously conquered in the ancient past by the Amazons, the inhabitants of Atlantis before the city sunk into the sea, and even the gods; they all fought side-by-side to stop the warlord from Apokolips from taking over the world.
Now, Steppenwolf has returned with an army of parademons (think a cross between an insect and vampire) to claim what he believes is rightfully his.
After seeing Wonder Woman in the recent film set during World War I, Justice League is present day – depicting an, approaching-middle-aged Batman and the ageless yet, powers-unseen-by-the-public, Wonder Woman.
Now that Superman is dead, the population is grieving and unable to see any hope for the future – chaos is gaining power as the people sink into darkness with newspaper headlines asking, Why are all the superheroes disappearing? With Prince and David Bowie pictured alongside Superman. Which I thought was quite clever, but also depressing, right?
I was also beginning to think the film was going to be a history lesson into each character.
Yet, the introduction of: Aquaman, shown to be just as strong on land as under water; Flash, the hero in training and Cyborg, a biomechanic meta human (and a new addition and update in the current techi-driven world), was necessary and brief. And somewhat offset by the antics of Flash, adding some light humour to the mix.
The story could have gotten messy trying to give weight to each hero, but it worked.
Each character had their own personal conflict to conquer, giving the film layers beyond action. And I could feel the humanity of Batman, not quite metahuman, his self-professed only super power being rich.
The need for this super-powered Justice League team fighting together stems from the power of Steppenwolf – the super villain.
The film flashes back to the past, giving Steppenwolf backstory, yet I wanted more grit, more than just another villain wanting to conquer worlds. I would have also liked to have seen more of his home world of Apokolips… But I had fun watching this film.
Gal Gadot has continued to shine as Wonder Woman and the sparks of humour from Ezra Miller as Flash were funny.
I wasn’t blown away, but Justice League was a fun ride – more of Aquaman in the water next time!