Justice League

I finally got to see Justice League. I couldn’t get out to see it upon its release and in some ways I think that distance did me good. A lot went on behind the scenes in the making of this movie. I try to ignore those things because what matters is the finished film. In the case of this film though it was hard. Director Zack Snyder (Man of Steel, Dawn of Justice) and writer Joss Whedon (Avengers, Buffy) had to come together through circumstances neither could have foreseen and finish the film. The result is mixed, overall it’s a decent movie that does it’s classic characters and the talent – from Zack, to Joss and the cast and crew – proud.

The plot follows on from the events of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Superman is gone, Batman feels guilty and there’s a world ending threat looming that’s about to kick off. Batman and Wonder Woman must unite Earth’s greatest warriors – The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg AKA the Justice League to save the world.

During the first act I was worried. Some scenes felt a bit thrown together for the sake of quickly establishing characters we hadn’t got to know yet and the need to bring everyone together. Thankfully as the film moves into the second and third acts the film begins to really come into it’s own. Feeling clear in tone, confident in it’s execution and by the time the credits rolled delivering a solid big screen debut for DC’s most famous super hero team.

The cast is very good. Affleck is a great Batman and it saddens me to think he could be done with the role after this movie. Gal Gadot shines as Wonder Woman and Henry Cavill does good with what he’s given to do. The big draws for comic fans in this movie are the new additions. Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher are all great additions to the DCEU. Don’t forget this is the first proper time we’ve got to spend with Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash. It’s a credit to each of them they’re alble to leave their marks despite having to share the billing with DC’s most inconic heroes.

Zack Snyder always delivers on action and visuals. The action is great in Justice League. It’s not easy working out big fight scenes and who gets their chance to shine and when but Snyder makes sure each of the League gets their moments to stand out. All of the action is well shot and clear. My favourite action scenes being the last act smackdown, those featuring Connie Nielsen’s Queen Hippolyta (what a character!) and a small but welcome one of Batman being Batman. I love Batman and I love the look of Gotham City so anytime spent on either is a plus.

I was surprised the fim’s score didn’t resonate more with me, one thing the DC movies have done a great job at is the character musical themes. I was under the impression this featured both Batman and Superman’s classic themes but the way they’re used in the movie you have to listen to pick them up.

Justice League is a solid movie. As a cap to Man of Steel and Dawn of Justice it works. It brings light to a series that some have issue with for being too dark. As the begining of a new series of Justice League movies it does it’s job. In a good way. It’s not without flaws but it’s fun and as a debut for DC’s finest it’s a welcome addition to the DCEU.

Roll on Aquaman, Wonder Woman II and hopefully a Affleck led solo Batman movie.

 

 

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Wonder Woman (No Spoilers)

Warner Brothers had a lot riding on the back of Wonder Woman. For one thing the reaction to last years Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad was lukewarm at best. Warner Brothers/DC’s intention is to have their own cinematic universe that can stand proudly next to Marvels MCU and I think it’s fair to say that up to now they haven’t had the best start. For what it’s worth I’ve enjoyed all of the DCEU movies to date but there is no getting around the fact that director Patty Jenkins Wonder Woman is not only the best movie of the DCEU it’s a fantastic movie period.

Gal Gadot, who made her debut in Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice as Wonder Woman, is front and centre here. Her debut movie is a showcase for the actresses’ ass kicking capabilities and natural charisma. Gadot gives Diana an innocence and strength that helps to create a great hero for all ages and genders. Her motto is beautiful in it’s simplicity. Wonder Woman will fight for those who can not fight for themselves. It’s Wonder Woman’s clear ideals that help create such a powerful hero.

The only Wonder Woman comics I have read are her appearances in the Justice League through the years. Her solo material is not as known to me so I was excited to learn more about her aside from the fact she is a amazon warrior and really strong. Jenkins lends the film not only a big heart but a great pace (considering the almost two and half hour runtime) and solid action scenes. The use of slow-motion is used to perfection to demonstrate the skill of the amazon warriors and Diana herself in battle. That same skill carries over into the films bigger action sequences during the horrors of World War One.

The film wears it’s heart on it’s sleeve but it never comes across as being cheesy. Instead the messages of the film, Diana’s reactions to the strange and often maddening world of man and the injustices around it come from a place of total honesty. After watching Wonder Woman you will not only wish you lived on the amazon’s paradise island but that you had amazon queens ruling over us. They just get society right.

Gal Gadot is excellent. Chris Pine makes for a solid and charming lead as Col. Steve Trevor, the man who acts as Diana’s guide into the world of man. Pine able to not only hold his own in the action but also in conveying his frustration at how mans world works and knowing all he can do to try and help is do what feels right. The film does a great job at bringing up arguments and debate about how we choose to live as a society and treat one another and those debates are best showcased in the scenes with Diana and Steve. Leading out the cast is an impressive ensemble of support yet the two stand outs for me are the great Robin Wright (House of Cards, Princess Bride) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) as Diana’s aunt and mother. Both actresses have links to fantasy classics yet neither of those characters they played then got to get stuck into the action and well…that is not the case here and that is awesome.

Wonder Woman is great. I loved it. It’s not just a really good comic book movie it’s a great movie on it’s own terms. Wonder Woman’s combination of a great cast, crew and director honour the comic legacy and have put out what I am certain will be a film that is talked about in years to come as a great example of the genre and of talent regardless of gender. It has one hell of a positive message too and in todays world that is something that should be celebrated and embraced.

WB unites the Justice League with brand new trailer

This movie looks STACKED! There is a lot going on in this teaser with an abundance of characters and action set pieces. Here is where I sit on the film, first up I hope it delivers and it’s at least decent. Yeah it would be great to get an amazing movie but I don’t want to even get my hopes up that high. Just let it be good. One or two of the backgrounds look a bit fake and the CGI on Cyborg isn’t as good as I thought it may be. Yet there’s plenty of time to fix those things and look even if the film does come out and it has some less than great CGI work who cares as long as the rest of the movie delivers right?

For me the standouts are Aquaman and funnily enough Cyborg. All the scenes with those two looked great (some CGI aside). These are the two I am least familiar with out of the Justice League and I look forward to seeing both of these guys get some exploration over the course of the movie. Amber Heard as Mera, the Queen of Atlantis no less, also gets to cameo in this trailer and while I expect she’ll have a small role I still look forward to seeing what she does in the movie.

This is a solid teaser trailer that is hopefully giving us just a glimpse of the fun times ahead when the movie hits screens this November.

Wonder Woman trailer is wonderful!

Wonder Woman is going to be a great comic book movie if this trailer is any indication of the films overall quality. I love the story, the look and the humour. I still haven’t seen Dawn of Justice, as I have said before, so this extended look at her majesty in action was brilliant. Soon as Dawn of Justice is out I’ll be checking it out and putting my thoughts up on here. Take a look at this trailer and get hype. This is enough for me. I think they have done a solid job of letting fans know exactly what sort of film they will be getting. Hopefully outside of the comic book fun we get a good exploration of a woman being strong and shedding some light onto a mans world so to speak. I want a good comic book movie but Wonder Woman may just prove to be a great one.

Wonder Woman is out next summer! Did you see Dawn of Justice? How did you feel about her in the movie?

Warner Brothers unleashes Wonder Woman Comic Con poster.

I like this. I have not seen Dawn of Justice but I know one thing a lot of fans agreed on was how good Wonder Woman is in the movie. For sure she is one of that films highlights. In her solo outing Diana will be leaving her Amazon home and venturing into the world of man and World War One. Early this year Warner showed a very small glimpse of footage from the movie. Hopefully today a full teaser trailer will be released. I’ll be sure to be back with my thoughts on that if we get it.

Wonder Woman hits screens next summer.

JLA Volume 1

Spotlight on this great JLA run from Grant Morrison, Howard Porter & John Dell. This Vol.1 collection is packed with amazing 90’s art. It’s quite in your face but it certainly brings a sense of impact these larger than life characters deserve. Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, The Flash and Aquaman pop off the page.

Morrison’s plots range from a rival set of heroes offering to help Earth (which rubs the JLA the wrong way), cyborgs, angels and outlandish stakes that envelope time and space itself. It’s a great collection and one I highly recommend. His dialogue and commentary often reads as tongue in cheek but never at the expense of the characters. It just helps to give all the crazy on display some levity and it’s refreshing to see the characters and the plot not take itself super seriously.

Some of the plot points I wasn’t so clear on. Halfway through Superman sports a brand new costume and his skin has turned blue. Why? I have no idea but it looks bloody boss. There’s also some random running around calling himself Green Lantern and again it’s due to my lack of wider reading from this era that I have no idea who that guy is but none of that takes away from the fun and mayhem on display.

With Dawn of Justice due for home release soon and Justice League Part One due out next year JLA Volume One works as a neat detour and fun read while we wait for more cinematic adventures.