Justice League

DC’s “Justice League” blustered onto screens November 17 to an admirable $94 million weekend opener and a slew of mixed reviews. Director Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated runner-up to Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Man of Steel boasts talents such as Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, and Henry Cavill for what should have made an instant smash hit. However, the consensus from movie critics and fans is one of tepidity and general disappointment.  

Even with the guaranteed cash-grab of a conglomerate of powerful superheroes and looming villians, Justice League feels ingenuine. At best, it is fun-riddled with expensive CGI and flashy action scenes. At worst? “Justice League” patches a faulty script and moody backstories to resemble a plot that cannot hold its own even in Snyder’s make believe world.

The movie revolves around Affleck’s Batman, a brutish, static kind of character whose motive behind gathering up a team of super pals is flaccid and unclear, even as Snyder’s world gets more unbelievable and the villains get better-and they do.

Ciaran Hinds as Steppenwolf provides a titular performance as a larger-than-life malefactor, foaming at the mouth with rage and offering one of the only unique aspects of the film.

Even actress Gal Gadot’s superstar power can’t save what Snyder’s version of Wonder Woman is. His Diana Prince is a feeble echo of the strength and poise from her stand alone movie released earlier this year. Her only real job in Justice League, unfortunately, is a springboard for Bruce Wayne’s ideas and flirtatious passes. There is not a chance for her character to be at the forefront-marking one of the most ostentatious mistakes of the movie industry this year. That doesn’t even take into consideration the redesigning of the Amazonian costumes to obviously appeal to a male audience and to replace their power with sexuality.

The new additions to the team: Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as the Flash, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg are given the only lighthearted dialogue in the entire film, making them a welcome change to the overall moody and murky environment. These few and far between moments of fun are what grounds “Justice League” and keeps it from drowning itself in its own darkness.

“Justice League” is not what viewers need it to be-it is not titular or thoughtful or even interesting, and even at its peak it does not strike viewers with any longstanding feelings.