Justice For Some.
120 Mins. Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Mamoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Connie Nielson, Amber Heard, Joe Morton, Billy Crudup, Ciaran Hinds, Jeremy Irons & J.K. Simmons. Directors: Zack Snyder & Joss Whedon.
"You either die a hero. Or live long enough to see yourself become the villain"! Is this the dusk of justice right when the night is darkest before the dawn? Or is this league of its own coming out from wallowing in the shadows of a hammer, shield, metal suit and green rage? Ever since Christopher Nolan took Batman away from the gothic great Tim Burton films that turned into the plastic Bat-Nipples and bank card of 'Batman (thankfully not) Forever' with his 'Dark Knight' trilogy, the crusading capes of the superhero genre which is now a franchise force begun again. Just look at what came in the summer of 2008 the same time the late, great Heath Ledger was making the iconic Joker villain his new ace in the hole, classic creation. Yep, that's right the first 'Iron Man' film which a decade and 18 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies later will all culminate and climax with the two part 'Infinity War' beginning this May. But back 10 years ago Marvel where behind D.C. until the 'Dark Knight' rose no more and then the Detective Comics started to play catch-up with a Hulk tugging on their cape. A year after Christian Bale's Bat trilogy conclusion, D.C. went in a new direction with the planet and Zack Snyder's 'Man Of Steel' overseen by Nolan. This grittier, darker take to the stars and stripes of Marvel's spangled Captain was enough for people to want a 'Justice League' of their own and turn that 'I Am Legend' Times Square billboard from the early 2000's into a reality. Then the 'Dawn Of Justice' and critical hate came with last years 'Batman v Superman'. Although really this criminally underrated massive movie of dark decedance and soaring super power was actually amazing, save the Doomsday of some Godzilla like city destroying stock villains and some Martha-isms. A fun but messy 'Suicide Squad' followed suit before the anti-Marvel wagered turning a soft reboot into a hard reset ahead of the dawn of this November's 'Justice League' movie. Thank the Godesses for the wonderful 'Wonder Woman' movie this Summer though. As 'Monster' director Patty Jenkins and 'Fast and Furious' star Gal Gadot teamed up with the whole amazon to not only save the day, but pave the way and reverse superhero stereotypes before even Marvel decided to go with their other Captain. Queen Gadot's crowning Diana Prince gave more than D.C. hope. You don't need a lasso of truth to see what every young girl growing up wants this Christmas...and it's not a Barbie. But just when Justice looked to be served for all, tragedy took a horrible turn with the Snyder family (our thoughts are right there) and avenging Marvel director and 'Buffy' legend Joss Whedon was left to slay the demons left in D.C.'s dark wake.
"I tried" reads a sign from a homeless man in the opening to this joint effort but sole credited 'Justice League' team-up. More than a clever Easter Egg (like the newspaper report asking if the death of Superman is really him returning to his home planet like Ziggy Stardust or The Artist formerly here) many think this is Whedon's way of telling us this was all his tied hands could do much like with his Marvel pink-slip 'Avengers' sequel 'Age Of Ultron'. But in other camps people are lobbying to see the darker Snyder cut (here, here) in the same vain as the cult loved 'BvS' and not this Whedon wheezed marvelling of jokes and one-liners that seems more suited to the billionaire, playboy philantrophist that AC/DC rocks a metal suit and not one dressed just like a Bat. Because although there are genuine laughs with the Gotham grit and gravitas that makes this Danny Elfman in for Hans Zimmer soundscape one that scores on a superheroic, cinematic level. Tonally this thing is as messy as the corny C.G.I. so slow-mo, 'Transformer' metal to mallet bashing bad that the same whopping 25 mill that went to digitally remove Henry Cavill's (no spoiler alert...you knew from the first image get go that Superman would return in this movie. Whether we'll get a Green Lantern or any new characters is anyones Marvel mirrored post-credits conclusion) 'Mission Impossible' moustache could have fed a small nation and instead made him look like the leader of 'The Incredibles' not the 'Justice League'. Superman is meant to save people! It would have been more cost-effective and convincing to have some kid graffiti a pencil moustache onto Cavill in the pre-production of the new 'M:I' movie. It's not an impossible mission people. You could even give the forever young, Tom Cruise some stubble. Despite these riches coming out cheap this is just an another embarrassment to a film and franchise who didn't learn from the 'Squad' goals of too many trailers, more than a year in advance and the whole thing looks like a suicide mission. Sure this film is fun and full of heart in places and the action like the sum of all the sticky out parts is entertaining, but when Aquaman surfs on a winged demon that looked so scary in Batman's 'Dawn Of Justice' canvas coated Knightmare and ends up making it look like Chitauri cannon fodder with no Loki as he drops and rolls through a building and Taylor Swift shakes it off with his long locks like nothing happened, 'Justice League' becomes "just no" my man.
"The ride aint over yet"! Aww really? C'mon! I want to get off! O.K. let's be reasonable there's a good film in here somewhere. Maybe even a much greater one. But whats left on the cutting room floor and what remains of this franchise and the series of wrecking ball hits its about to take for a D.C. that has more universes than it does successful T.V. shows (at least they keep up with Marvel-even the Netflix level ones-that way) is not deserving of this class cast. Sure the all singing and directing Ben Affleck directed 'Batman' solo movie is now left in tatters like many like him in Hollywood's reputation, but just like this year born's, criminally underrated 'Live By Night' do-all movie, Affleck is an amazing 'Dark Knight'. The 'Argo' Oscar winning director on a different path worthy of the cowl like Bale, Clooney (kidding), Keaton and the late, great, one of a kind, original Adam West (even if the smart money and rumors is on another Nightcrawler, 'Stronger' actor Jake Gyllenhaal stepping up next). Answering the call of the Bat Signal and illuminating the dark shadows of orphan Bruce Wayne's crippling loneliness bathed in billions and the guilt of a bachelor. And what about the great Gal Gadot?! A real wonder as her genuine truth to power is diminished by the directing of some shots that are more than demeaning in an age of heroes where we should be fighting against sexual harrassment like wives of Hollywood types standing up for themselves and others. Not adding to it and what is being taught to younger fan-boys as they act like kids looking up skirts here. At least the new breed lead by a redeemed 'Game Of Thrones' actor Jason Mamoa making it his own here, looking to "unite the seven" (I think he means the seas) as a pitchfork perfect Aquaman changes other perceptions. Even if they are only ones like Arthur Curry used to be the type of hilarity ensuing hero that looked like Steve Rogers before the serum. Speaking of (or to) fish, Ray Fisher gives Victor Stone a rock of a heart behind all that stark Cyborg box metal. Offering our red eye one of the deepest performances of this ensemble piece as he truly connects with everything. Whilst the fun Ezra Miller's different direction of red runner Barry Allen is loving being along for the ride. Even if the fate of this franchise might truly make it all a Flash in the pan. He has the best jokes, but warms more than his soles with some heart to perspex hand holding prison time with his father, mentored perfectly by former Dr. Manhattan 'Watchmen' Billy Crudup. Don't stand too close kid...good job you got that glass between you! This all-star list of collaborating characters (and character actor favourites like Holt McCallany) also features the 'Terminator: Judgement Day' engineering of legend Joe Morton and the Martha mothering of Diane Lane from downtown to the cornfields. Not to mention Jeremy Irons' willful and amazing Alfred, now ultimately wasted. As despite getting his hands and overalls dirty this butler may no longer be of service. Or amazing Amy Adams' journalistic integrity as Lois Lane, only missing the Daily Planet columns of Clark Kent which she wishes she could turn the world round to change. Thankfully among all the heroes and heroiness (courageous Connie Nielson returns to Wonder Woman's world as a ready to go Amber Heard is introduced in heading up Aquaman's aquarium), the Man Of Steel will fly again, even if fan boys and girls want to see him back in black. An honoured Henry Cavill brings cavalier hope back to Kal-El. But even a comet catching Superman can't save this cluster#### and a Steppenwolf villain that looked more C.G. convincing in that brief moment Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor tried to bring him to life in 'Dawn Of Justice'...although Ciaran Hinds hands his versatile voice over to try his best and brightest. It's not all bat-s### crazy though for a film that bowed down to the Marvel pressure to lighten up until it broke beyond rewrite repair. Putting it alongside Stephen King's adapted 'The Dark Tower', Luc Besson's visual 'Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets' and the already wrapped up 'Dark Universe' franchise of 'The Mummy' in the dust of the biggest big-screen let downs of the year. Right next to superhero falls like Fox's 'Fantastic Four' and 'X-Men: Apocalypse'...aren't you as happy as Mickey that Disney are now letting all Stan Lee's toys play in the same M.C.U. sandbox? Thankfully Oscar winner J.K. Simmons makes for a commanding Commissioner Gordon in spare scenes right as Gary Oldman is about to take the Academy as Churchill. It's a good job otherwise Jonah Jameson (make that J.K. 'Homecoming' happen with the crack of a whip Spider-Man...please) may find himself writing editorials for the Gotham Gazette. We can just see the headline now..."Injustice: Duds Among Us"! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice', 'Wonder Woman', 'The Avengers'.
No comments:
Post a Comment