There are certain movies that should not have a run time of 2 hours or less. Comic book movies usually fall under this category. Deadpool might be the exception to this (but really isn’t Deadpool the exception to just about everything in the best way possible?). If there are any others, I can’t really think of them. Justice League is not an exception. A run time of 2 hours, 20 minutes instead of just 2 hours could have done wonders for this movie. But more on that later. Justice League brings together DC Comics’ greatest heroes to fight off a dangerous foe that was hinted at in Batman v Superman. In BvS's aftermath, Bruce Wayne feels guilty for bringing on the death of the Superman. So, he seeks Wonder Woman's help to recruit others with abilities to fight the dangers that will come after the void left by the Kryptonian's departure. Together, they unite with The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to fight off this new threat to Earth.
Let's start with what's great. The League itself was pretty damn entertaining. Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and Ben Affleck (Batman) are their usual great selves in their roles. Gadot continues to be an inspiration for all humankind everywhere. She carries over from her origin movie the not too corny, but just corny enough, hope and belief in all that she does. Then there’s the Batfleck. I remember all the hoopla when his casting was first announced. He has actually turned out to be one of the better Bats of my lifetime (sans Christian Bale). Especially because he is playing the middle-aged Wayne to a tee. He’s not so much “Old Man Bruce” (at least not to the greatness of Hugh Jackman’s Old Man Logan), but he definitely hits the right mixture of bitterness and a want to keep fighting the good fight. You can see as such with plenty of Batfleck's scenes also giving light to his rumored want to get the hell out of this franchise. All they were missing…
Then there’s the other guys. But really, they weren’t just the other guys. Ezra Miller (The Flash) and Jason Momoa A.K.A. Khal Drogo A.K.A. Arthur Curry A.K.A. Aquaman are the future stars of this team. Everything I see Miller in makes me like him more and more. His run (hahaha didn’t even mean to make that pun) as Barry Allen was funny, quirky, and beautifully uncomfortable. His action sequences were reminiscent (though not as great) as Evan Peter’s Days of Future Past Quicksilver. Momoa just makes you really excited for Aquaman in 2018. That’s really all I gotta say about him. He is a very good-looking man who makes you excited. While these two were the gems of the movie, a very pleasant surprise was Ray Fisher’s portrayal of Cyborg. I knew nothing of this character coming in, and when he was introduced I was worried that he would just be another tragic, embittered movie trope. However, Cyborg’s resentment towards his origin had a lot of innovation to it. Instead of a whining grouch, we get a man whose anger comes from a very prudent intelligence. This allows his arc to feel more natural, and creates more of a connection with the audience by movie’s end.
When the team is together, the movie is better. Especially with the team action sequences. Yet, the overall action left me with the same feeling that I got at the end of Justice League: oh, that’s it?... OK. Those extra 20 minutes were sorely missed. The 2-hour run time creates a great pace and keeps the origins of the 3 new members from feeling overdrawn. But as much as the characters carry the movie, the run time makes the story and plot feel empty and rushed. The villain Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds) and his motivations were nothing new. HENCE, the reasons for fighting him fell flat. PLUS, when that one thing that everyone who follows comic-book movies knew was coming happens, the stakes are obliterated. AND, the dialogue throughout the movie follows suit. Usually, these kinds of movies have one set-piece action sequence after another. Here, we got one epic moral monologue set-piece after another. Even when the characters were talking to each other (so they really wouldn’t be monologues huh? YEA EXACTLY!). Actually, I found a great way to explain Justice League's storyline through its dialogue without giving too much away. Take it away Sammy!
Batman must bring together a team to save the world
Steppenwolf enters
Aquaman, Cyborg, and Flash's initial reaction to Batman and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman has to rally the troops
*ok so the shark part has nothing to do with it, but its always funny to see this whole scene (I couldn't help it)
Lastly, that one other thing happens that we all knew was gonna happen
Someone should really get Samuel L. Jackson to read the Justice League dialogue.
Overall, Justice League was a very enjoyable film. It had the foundation-movie treatment that DC should have given BvS years ago. The characters and action outweigh the thin plot enough that I would consider seeing it again in theaters. I’m giving Justice League 6.5/10 Jason Momoa hair flips.
Oh. That end credit scene tho??????? Insert Ric Flair WOOOOOO here.