JUSTICE LEAGUE
US, 2017, 121 minutes, Colour.
Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Henry Cavill, Robin Wright, Connie Neilson, Amy Adams, Amber Heard, Diane Lane, Kiersey Clemons, Billy Crudup, JK Simmons, Ciaran Hinds, Jeremy irons, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Mc Elhatton, Joe Morton.
Directed by Zack Snyder, Joss Wheedon.
Not exactly from time immemorial, but for some considerable time, there has been some rivalry between DC Comics and the Marvel Comics. In an ideal world, this ought not be so competitive, the fans able to appreciate both and the range of films made with their particular Superheroes and the linking of their Superheroes as Avengers or as the Justice League.
The main difficulty in writing a review of Justice League is that the reviewer is on the side of the Marvel Universe. From the 70s into the 90s, the Superman and Batman films were very well done, as was Christopher Nolan’s Batman series. The 2017 Wonder Woman was also very good. But, with Man of Steel, Suicide Squad… And their being outshone by, for example, Thor, the choice is for Marvel.
In checking on the bloggers for Justice League, one finds that there is extraordinarily passionate support! The fans consider it wonderful entertainment from start to finish.
What follows is just one reviewer’s opinion. There is a brief opening sequence, caught on phone camera, where children are interviewing Superman. Unfortunately, after Batman versus Superman, Superman is no longer with us, he is dead and buried. (Which is not necessarily going to stop screenwriters for DC Comics!).
Then there is a scene with Batman confronting a monster alien. Then there is Wonder Woman, from her base in London, using her gold lassoo and an ability to avoid bullets to thwart sabotage on four city blocks. Bruce Wayne does a trek to the remote north to have a challenging conversation with Arthur Curry, Aquaman. Then there is Barry Allen, visiting his father in prison, being urged to get a real job. And, in a secret laboratory, there is Victor Stone, victim of his father’s experiment.
Which means then that we have the introductions to the Justice League: Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Memorial as Aquaman, Ezra Fisher as The Flash/Barry Allen and Ray Fisher as Cyborg/Victor Stone. And the reason for Bruce Wayne getting them together is that there are three mysterious boxes of energy, referred to in the documents of Lex Luthor, and the arrival of Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciaran Hinds) who intends to destroy the world. (The audience is given something of a preview of what might happen in a sequence with an enormous squad of Amazon women converging on Steppenwolf.)
The rest of the film seems mainly fights and explosions. There is an important interlude, this review not wanting to spoil the plot but most fans will know this anyway, where Lois Lane and Martha Kent (Amy Adams and Diane Lane again) are mourning the death of Superman. However, Bruce Wayne, always aided by the surveillance and offbeat remarks of his butler, Alfred (Jeremy Irons) has the idea that the energy can resuscitate Superman. And, even with a photo of Kevin Costner as Clark Kent’s foster father, the energy does its job, although there is a certain innate hostility in Superman until it is mellowed by meeting Lois again. And, of course, it is Henry Cavill as the resuscitated Superman.
And so, more fights and explosions, victory through the variety of skills of the Superheroes and audiences being advised to sit through the very long credits to see where the series might be leading. Actually, with the revelation of a sinister character returning to the series, the reviewer left the cinema more hopefully.
1. The popularity of DC comics? The comics, television versions, film versions? The characters and their identities, their powers? The combination of the Justice League?
2. The setting for this story, the basis in Gotham city? Travelling back to Greece? To the north and the islands? Prisons, hospitals, laboratories? The settings for the battles? The Clark Kent background, cemetery, Lois Lane and her work, Martha Kent, the home? The musical score in the themes from previous films?
3. The audience and the love the superheroes? Marvel universe and DC comics?
4. The past stories: the Superman films and the source of Clark Kent and the exploits of Superman? The relationship with Lois Lane, the Kent family? The Batman films? The range, the various actors as Batman? The Batcave, the mansion, the relationship with Alfred? Diana Prince, her origins with the Amazons, World War I and Steve Trevor, her living in London? Aquaman and his background, the community, water and fish, the life and the sea? The Flash, the young man, his father in prison, his gifts? Cyborg and Victor Stone? His father in the experiments?
5. The threats to the world, the intervention of Steppenwolf? The initial fight between Batman and the creature? The huge Amazon battle and the confrontation with
Steppenwolf and his forces?
6. The boxes of energy, the details in Lex Luthor’s documents? Energy, the unleashing and the conquering of the world?
7. Bruce Wayne, his relationship with Alfred, Alfred in the surveillance, the wry comments? Recruiting Diana her life in London? The hands-on background, her artwork? Recruiting Aquaman and his visit? Knowledge of the Flash, Cyborg?
8. Diana, at work in London with the art, her quiet life? The threat of terrorism in London, four blocks to be destroyed? Her becoming Wonder Woman? The importance of her golden lassoo? The confrontation, her ability to avoid bullets? Taking the explosives and throwing them into the air, saving lives? Motivation for her joining Bruce Wayne?
9. Aquaman, his personality, his story, his particular powers and the sea?
10. The Flash, visiting his father in prison, his father wanting to get a job? His abilities? His enjoying them, in action, the wry one-liners?
11. Cyborg’s father, Dr Stone, going to the laboratory, keeping his son’s secret, the experiment gone wrong, the transformation of his son?
12. The invitation to form the Justice League, each member bringing their superpowers? And the regret of the absence of Superman?
13. The action of the film, fights and explosives, action, stunt work, computergraphic work?
14. Superman, his powers, his grave, the clash with Bruce Wayne? The decision for resuscitation, using the energies, the photo of Kevin Costner as his father, Lois and Martha?
15. The police Commissioner, his contact with the Justice League and support?
16. Superman, the resuscitation, the process? Resuscitated Superman as surly? The clash with Batman? The change with Lois, his becoming himself again? Participating with the League?
17. Steppenwolf, mysterious powers, personality, his agents, the energy boxes? Motivations? The clashes, the battles, defeat of Steppenwolf?
18. The future, sequels, the final credits – and the revelation about Lex Luthor?
