Justice League (2017)

User Review

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  thismoviestinks

  5 / 10

  Despite a disappointing opening weekend take (less than $100M domestic. Ouch), and an unenthusiastic critical response, Justice League is hardly the abject failure some would have you believe. A share of this chilly reaction is deserved; the film has its share of problems. It's likely also true that negative carryover from the previous DCEU films--which in my opinion have been consistently disastrous--has kept people away from theatres this time around; after Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad I certainly wasn't eager to return to this universe.
  
  Justice League proves that the creative forces behind these films can indeed make adjustments. Zack Snyder--or more likely Joss Whedon--drops the self-important gloom of Batman v Superman, and manages to get these performers to have a little fun. The performances of Affleck, Gadot, and Ezra Miller carry this film; without their collective screen presence this thing would collapse. Ray Fisher (Cyborg) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman) are inserted to complete the roster, but they're largely afterthoughts. Cyborg is used mostly as a story chip, and it doesn't seem like Momoa has much acting ability. The film would have been better without them.
  
  Justice League also features a cleaner script and faster pacing, making for a livelier, more entertaining film. That being said, many of the same old DCEU problems are present here: a dull, CGI villain, rushed plot points, and moments of unearned dramatic weight. There are far more characters than this story requires, and the time spent on them costs us valuable familiarity with important story elements that need developing, i.e., Steppenwolf and the three boxes. This much material probably requires more than one film to cover properly, at least for someone like Snyder.
  
  I enjoyed Justice League, but am reluctant to describe it as a good film, superhero genre or otherwise. It's a decent idea executed by people who either don't understand or don't care about telling a good story. If you're interested in a fun, carefree afternoon at the movies then Justice League will do nicely. Any higher hopes than that will leave you wanting.

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