Saturday, November 18, 2017

Movie Review … Justice League

This year has been the year of the superhero movies with one nearly every month.  With the box office showing a little sign of ‘superhero fatigue’, that hasn’t stopped Hollywood from churning them out.  They are lucrative business with the various spin-off merchandising raking in big bucks.  ‘Justice League’ leaps its way to screens in the same fashion.  Almost as non-distinguishable from other similar movies, it’s still an exciting blockbuster sure to draw in crowds no matter what film critics say.

Determined to form a team of heroes to combat otherworldly evil, Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) takes charge.  Assembling a group including The Flash (Ezra Miller), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and others, Batman labels them the Justice League.  Their formation comes at a perfect moment due to the arrival of deadly alien Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds).  On the hunt for a powerful weapon that could destroy the universe, Steppenwolf’s actions spur the Justice League to combat evil in any way possible.

‘Justice League’ is a predictable but fun superhero yarn.  It’s neither fish nor fowl as it plays things safe by presenting a straight forward spectacle.  The cast work as a true ensemble with Affleck, Miller, Gadot especially diving into their roles with gusto.  It’s a pleasure watching them strut their stuff against an array of ghoulish baddies.  It’s also pleasing they carry off their civilian guises equally well, infusing genuine emotional weight not often seen in films like these.

The weakest aspect of ‘Justice League’ is the choice of villain.  Whilst Steppenwolf does evil things and looks bad, he never projects a sense of true menace.  You don’t feel as though the heroes are in any danger when confronting him which dilutes impact.  The CGI looks amazing, if a little rushed, but Zack Snyder’s energetic direction and Danny Elfman’s great orchestral score aid in moving the story along.  ‘Justice League’ moves fast so one doesn’t think about the ridiculous plot holes for which comic book movies are renowned.

‘Justice League’ does a good job of furthering the DC movie mythology along while being entertaining. It’s among the easiest superhero movies to sit through with solid pacing and fine performances.  Although these films appear with alarming regularity, they have their place as blockbuster spectacles with ‘Justice League’ standing among the others with pride.


 Movie Review Rating out of 10:  7

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.

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