JUSTICE LEAGUE

The heroes of the Justice League

JUSTICE LEAGUE (2017). Director: Zack Snyder.

A demonic figure named Steppenwolf (Claran Hinds) sends monstrous para-demons to Earth in order to claim three "mother boxes" (sort of an alien computer) secreted in Atlantis, on Paradise Island, and somewhere among ordinary humans. When the three boxes are connected, it could signal the end of mankind. Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) gather together other heroes to combat this menace: a teenage super-speedster, the Flash (Ezra Miller of We Need to Talk About Kevin); Aquaman (Jason Momoa), who is more at home under the ocean; and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), who is mostly mechanical. The team (never really referred to as the "Justice League") use one of the Mother Boxes to resuscitate Superman (Henry Cavill), who was killed at the end of Batman V Superman. One of the best scenes in the movie features the battle between a confused, newly awakened Man of Steel with the other heroes as they try to get through to him in his confused and hostile state. While Justice League is an improvement over Batman V Superman, it's still disappointing considering the talent involved and all the hard work and fine FX that went into the production. While there is some excitement and suspense to the action sequences, they still often look like confused and cluttered video games. There is an admirable attempt to add some flesh and blood to these heroic and colorful characters, not only by the screenwriters but by the actors who play them; Affleck and Gadot are especially notable, and Jeremy Irons makes an excellent Alfred, Batman's butler and aide-de-camp. It is also strange that the minor character of Steppenwolf should have been chosen as the primary antagonist when his nephew Darkseid would have been a much better choice. Many of the concepts in the film are based on ideas by writer-artist Jack Kirby, who created the "Fourth World" mythos that is referenced in the movie. Changes from comics to film are numerous: Barry Allen was not a teen when he became the Flash and the business with his father being in jail for murdering his mother was carried over from the TV series. Aquaman was brusque, bearded and long-haired only for a brief period in the comics. Lois Lane and Ma Kent are nearly unrecognizable. For more about the comic books see The Silver Age of Comics.

Verdict: Now that the characters and the team have been introduced, perhaps the sequel will be a more memorable movie, although this has its moments. **3/4.

WONDER WOMAN (2017)

Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) on the battlefield

WONDER WOMAN (2017). Director: Patty Jenkins.

During WW1, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) of British Intelligence, winds up on the island of Themiscrya, where he is pursued by Germans and encounters Princess Diana (Gal Gadot of Batman V Superman) and a horde of warrior-like Amazons. Against her mother Hyppolyta's (Connie Nielsen) wishes, Diana decides to take off on a boat with Trevor and do what she can to stop Ares (David Thewlis), whom she believes is responsible for the current miserable state of the world. Never mind that it's hard to believe that an officer in British Intelligence would want to just take this strange gal with him on a secret mission, but Diana proves her mettle when she puts on her costume and reveals astonishing super-powers. Aside from Ares, Diana's adversaries include General Ludendoirff (Danny Huston of Hitchcock), and the disfigured Dr. Maru (Elena Anaya), a specialist in poison whose latest gas can seep through gas masks. As played by the talented Gal Gadot, this Wonder Woman (although she's never referred to as such), is an impressive heroine who combines strength and courage with compassion, and as such is a noble and inspiring figure. But the film itself is slow and unconvincing at times, with sporadic bursts of excitement and light show-battles that we've all seen before. The music (Rupert Gregson-Williams) helps and there is outstanding cinematography (especially in the Themiscrya sequences) by Matthew Jensen. Chris Pine is only adequate as Steve Trevor, who was as American as apple pie in the comic books. Robin Wright of House of Cards makes a notable Antiope, but she isn't around for very long. (If you're wondering why Adolf Hitler doesn't get into the action, remember this is World War One, not World War Two.)

Wonder Woman first appeared in comics in the forties. To explain away inconsistencies, it was decided that the Wonder Woman of WW2 (not WW1 as in this movie) was the "Earth-1" version and the Wonder Woman of modern times was from "Earth-2." Apparently the Wonder Woman of this movie is the same person and is simply immortal.

Verdict: Gadot is impressive; the movie less so. **1/2.

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

Superman (Henry Cavill)  vs Batman (Ben Affleck)

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016). Director: Zack Synder.

Some of the public are losing faith in Superman (Henry Cavill) of Metropolis and fear he may be too powerful, which is also a concern of Gotham's Batman (Ben Affleck). Meanwhile, the Man of Steel is disgusted by Batman's violent vigilantism. When Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) kidnaps Superman's mother, Martha (Diane Lane), he tells him he can only save her by killing the Batman. The Man of Steel has no intention of murdering anyone, and tries to get Batman to work with him to save Martha and take down Luthor, but their misunderstandings about their different approaches only lead to conflict. Years ago I complained that some comic book and comic book-like movies were much too mindless, but now they've gone to the other extreme. Unfortunately, Batman V Superman mistakes a continuous grimness with seriousness, but ironically none of it is very profound. The picture has an admirable intensity, and while no one wants to return to the camp and silliness of the old days, couldn't all these billions of dollars and all that work have been employed to make a more entertaining movie? In some ways Batman v Superman comes off like a mere prelude to the upcoming Justice League of America movie, the idea of which I find less exciting after sitting through the somewhat tedious 151 minutes that make up this film. The picture has some interesting elements and sets up clever situations (the conflict between Bats and Supes has already been explored in the comics) but its action scenes are more frenetic than well-done, and half the time you can't really tell what's happening. With the exception of a dreadful, almost-camp, boyish geek version of Lex Luthor played by Eisenberg [Cursed] , the acting is excellent, with both Affleck [Hollywoodland] and Cavill [Immortals] quite adept at the new ultra-intense super-hero style. Amy Adams is also quite effective as Lois Lane, as is Holly Hunter as a senator. Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) shows up at the end to help the fellows fight Doomsday, and is fine, and there are cameos by the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg (what, no Green Lantern?) to set up the next DC Universe movie. A confusing prologue shows an attack on Gotham by what appears to be Brainiac, but the film never makes it clear exactly what's happening, and in general the screenplay is mediocre. [Apparently Batman v Superman starts off where Man of Steel ended, and the antagonist is General Zod, but couldn't there have been some attempt made to remind viewers of this?] Moments of cuteness happen so infrequently that they're jarring, such as when Batman asks Superman if Wonder Woman is with him, and he responds "I thought she was with you." There are guest appearances from Anderson Cooper, Andrew Sullivan (!), Nancy Grace and others, all commenting on one hero or another. Too many anti-climaxes by far.

Verdict: Very talky and not a hell of a lot of fun but there are a few good scenes. **1/2.