I was disappointed that out of the number of DC Comics films that have been in theaters, only Wonder Woman seemed to be a hit. One of the things I noticed from watching Justice League - I rented it from Redbox - was that it was somewhat bloated. Trying to tell so many stories all at once. It was a Superman film. It was a Batman film. It was less a team film - well, yeah, since it was about forming the team - I think the story was lacking. Then the direction. I got the same feeling watching Green Lantern.
I believe that is why the Marvel films and that universe works better. They start with a character and a single, basic, simple story. That way all the baggage is set up and out of the way for the team film. DC's blueprint could work - inverting the Marvel blueprint - launching a team film then solo breakout films. But it hasn't. Because they can't focus on a single narrative.
Wonder Woman is awesome! I would love to see a Ben AffleckBatman film! Barry Allen was trying so hard to be comic relief - but it was really Jason Momoa. I get why Cyborg is included - but it's still wrong. Cyborg is a Titan. It's a shame that the Green Lantern film and cartoon bombed and turned the character into "kryptonite" for now.
There was a point where I wanted to yell at the screen - Affleck's Batman says they can't beat Steppenwolf. They need Superman for that. I think it's the way he said it. Maybe if he had put it another way, it would have been less of a confession of weakness. The whole point of the movie was a blatant plot to bring Superman back.
In hindsight, I would have better enjoyed a Justice League movie where Doctor Destiny was the villain.
Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa make this film. Barry Allen was more Wally West. I get why Cyborg is now included - I read Johns' and Lee's The New 52 Secret Origin - but no, Cyborg is a Titan. Bringing Superman back was a huge stretch. And I read The Death of Superman. I'm still scratching my head over how he came back in that storyline! The movie had it's moments. It had some really great, stand-out moments. Unfortunately, the story should have been different and featured a different villain.
While I like Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill and Jason Momoa, what they did with Barry Allen just seemed off. He seemed more Wally West than Barry Allen. Cyborg is a Titan. The reason Wally worked is that when Barry died, Wally became The Flash. That isn't true for Cyborg. I get that the movie was a live action version of Johns' and Lee's The New 52 Secret Origin, and that Cyborg is now connected to The New Gods technology. But, no, just no. Superman's storyline was kinda wonky, too.
The Monday-morning-quarterback in me says that they could have adapted the Justice League animated series Secret Origin. Or, maybe Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare.
My favorite Justice League story is JLA: Liberty and Justice. I know there's no punching or fighting or explosions - it's the Justice League meets The Andromeda Strain - but, if Marvel is going to go cosmic - DC Comics should go "grounded". Find a mythological or Terran threat and have the Justice League face that. Do something different.
It's refreshing to see Hank Pym without all the personal baggage he's carried in the mainstream Marvel Universe, or the Ultimate Universe. I think too much has been made of him having mental issues, as well as being the face of domestic violence.
It is interesting that Doctor Strange would follow the slapstick of Iron Man, The Hulk and Spider-Man. Tobin manages to pull it off. I would wonder if the Harry Potter crowd would get The Sorcerer Supreme...
Isn't that kind of the running theme? The vast generation gap between the League and the Titans? (Maybe if the JSA comes back following Doomsday Clock, they'll do to the JLA what they do to the Titans.)
It's very interesting that Burt Ward had been promoting the film quite heavily early on, while producers were kinda walking it back on another sequel. I'm saddened by Adam West's passing. He had a great career. A lot of ups and downs as The Bright Knight. It would be a shame that his version of Batman would just end like this. In his memory and honor, it would be cool to see this version continue.
If you haven't I highly recommend the Batman '66 comic. Jeff Parker and other writers and creators really embellished the '66 Universe! I also recommend the team-up books, too!
AirDave's comments