Justice League
Fresh on the heels of Thor:Ragnarok and hoping to build on the success of Wonder Woman, DC/Warner Bros. is releasing the highly anticipated Justice League. If you remember the ending of the gritty and less than inspiring Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. Superman has died, and with it, much of the hope in the world. Crime is up and there's been the arrival of some super scary bugs, which feed on fear. We quickly learn they're the sidekicks of an ancient warmonger named Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciaran Hinds) who once again seeks the destruction of the Earth. He was fought off and defeated in ancient times by the Amazons and the Atlantians, but they have since gone their separate ways, to Thymiscira and under the sea respectively.
Bruce Wayne aka Batman, played here by a beefy and pensive Ben Affleck, decides the best way to fight this gloomy and dangerous predicament is to form a team with his fellow superheroes. He uses his money, which funds his super-powers, to pursue rumors of a man who can talk to the fish and a kid with lightning fast abilities (Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller.) There's also a bonus hero, when a man who's partly human but mostly machine (Ray Fisher) comes to him. However, the Caped Crusader is nervous about asking the strong and beautiful Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to join the team. The script throws in some much needed humor about this and I wouldn't be surprised if there's a little sexual tension between the two in future Justice League films.
Bruce Wayne aka Batman, played here by a beefy and pensive Ben Affleck, decides the best way to fight this gloomy and dangerous predicament is to form a team with his fellow superheroes. He uses his money, which funds his super-powers, to pursue rumors of a man who can talk to the fish and a kid with lightning fast abilities (Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller.) There's also a bonus hero, when a man who's partly human but mostly machine (Ray Fisher) comes to him. However, the Caped Crusader is nervous about asking the strong and beautiful Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to join the team. The script throws in some much needed humor about this and I wouldn't be surprised if there's a little sexual tension between the two in future Justice League films.
The best way to think of Justice League is as a television pilot. There's a lot of backstory going on to explain how each of the soon-to-be Justice League members came to be. The screenplay by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon throws a little humor into the mix , which is a nice contrast from the gray mood and the grey on-screen atmosphere. I was worried that Wonder Woman would be reduced to the role of "the girl," but Diana Prince has a strong role and is encouraged to step forward and become a Justice League leader. I did take issue with some of the wardrobe choices. It's cold in Gotham, and Paris at times. Plunging necklines are not necessary to prove she's a woman. Coming in right at two hours, it seems director Zack Snyder wants to give his audience a well-timed taste of what is to come - action, some humor and maybe some romance? Who knows what the future will bring. Justice League is set to make a big splash at the box office. It's also the launching pad for new DC Comics films. Aquaman and Cyborg have already been announced.