Review: Justice League (2017)
Directed by: Zack Snyder (with post-production changes by Joss Whedon)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher
Plot Summary
Following the death of Superman (Henry Cavill) in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) work together to assemble a team of metahumans to face a looming intergalactic threat. They recruit Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) to stop Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) from uniting the powerful Mother Boxes, which could lead to Earth’s destruction.
Strengths
✔ Great Casting & Chemistry – The ensemble cast shines, with Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman being standouts.
✔ Fun and Lighter Tone – Compared to Batman v Superman, this film introduces more humor, largely thanks to Ezra Miller’s Flash.
✔ Action Sequences – Some well-executed action scenes, particularly the final battle.
✔ Introduction of the Justice League – The film successfully brings DC’s greatest heroes together for the first time.
Weaknesses
❌ Inconsistent Tone – Due to Zack Snyder stepping down and Joss Whedon taking over, the movie feels like two different visions merged together.
❌ Weak Villain – Steppenwolf is a generic CGI antagonist with no real depth or compelling motivation.
❌ Rushed Storyline – The film suffers from being cut down to a 2-hour runtime, leading to underdeveloped characters and rushed pacing.
❌ Poor Visual Effects – The CGI, particularly in Steppenwolf and Superman’s infamous “mustache removal,” feels unfinished.
Verdict
Justice League (2017) is an entertaining but flawed superhero film. While it brings DC’s legendary team together with solid performances and action, its rushed storytelling, inconsistent tone, and weak villain prevent it from reaching its full potential. Fans of the characters may still enjoy it, but the Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) version offers a much more complete and satisfying vision of the story.
⭐ Rating: 6/10 ⚡🦇🛡️
