Introduction
Justice League is a 2017 American superhero film which is based on the DC comics superhero team of the same name. It was directed by Zack Snyder and has undergone significant re-shoots overseen by Joss Whedon after Snyder left the film due to a family tragedy. This film is the fifth installment of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). It features some of the most iconic superheroes, which include Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg. The film portrays the heroes uniting to protect the earth from an intergalactic threat.
Despite all the excitement surrounding its release and the brand name characters, Justice League suffered from a mixed reception and problematic production, which in turn resulted in lackluster box office earnings and critical response. Regardless, the film still stands as a critical entry in the DCEU for its the franchise attempt in launching a team-up saga.
Plot Summary
The film is set after the events of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The world for the most part is still mourning the death of superman, Clark Kent, and his sacrifice at the end of the film leaves a void. The lack of superman has also made crime and fear increase, and this provides an opportunity for a powerful new threat to emerge: Steppenwolf, a Warlord from the alien world of Apokolips.
Steppenwolf returns to Earth looking for three ancient artifacts called Mother Boxes which, when united, can transform the planet into a replica of his homeworld, enslaving its inhabitants. Thousands of years ago these boxes were defeated in battle and separated, later to be hidden by the Amazons, Atlanteans, and humans.
Recognizing this as a challenge no single hero can tackle alone, Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) decide to form a team of metahumans. Bruce recruits Barry Allen (The Flash), a young speedster and superhero, while Diana calls out to Victor Stone (Cyborg), a former athlete who became a half-machine after an accident and an encounter with one of the Mother Boxes. The hermit Atlantean heir, Aquaman (Arthur Curry), who prefers isolation, initially denies the request, but ultimately accepts.
The team loses the fight against Steppenwolf. Bruce suggests they use the last Mother Box they have to resurrect Superman. The team goes ahead with the morally ambiguous action, and although Superman is revived, he is disoriented and hostile. After some time, he calms down when Lois shows up and then retreats to Smallville to gather himself.
The heroes, with a fully recovered Superman, engage Steppenwolf in a final battle in a Russian village. The heroes ultimately defeat Steppenwolf, and he is forced to retreat. With the Mother Boxes separated, they can no longer be combined and pose a threat. The Justice League is formed in doing so, ready to tackle whatever threats the world now faces.
Main Characters and Their Roles
Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Continuing his role with the DCEU, Affleck is now more aged and burdened than the previous films. He also serves as the backbone of the story, as he is trying to round up the heroes as he looks to help Superman’s legacy. Bruce’s guilt and resolve is shown, although the character is more muted than in his previous appearances.
Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
Gadot brought to life Wonder Woman’s character with strength, compassion, and exemplary leadership traits. She provided moral balance and stability to the team as the Amazonian princess tries to keep the group together as they work through the confusion, and the chaos helps simmer down.
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
Momoa adds a rugged and intensely charismatic touch to Aquaman, portraying him as a hero reluctant to embrace his identity. Although his character has a smaller part to play in the movie than other characters, his sharp, rugged addition mixes well with the rest of his co-stars.
Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash
With a meek, high-strung demeanor, Miller adds to the film’s comic relief as Barry Allen, The Flash. He adds to the hilarity of the film through his inexperience and the contrasting interactions with seasoned heroes.
Ray Fisher as Victor Stone / Cyborg
Fisher’s depiction of a man who struggles with grappling his humanity with a new mechanical body is an emotionally strong performance. His character’s story revolves around the Mother Boxes, and though he had several scenes cut from the theatrical version, his character arc is vital to the story.
Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman
Cavill reprises his role as Superman in the second part of the movie. His resurrection serves as a pivotal turning point in the narrative. Although his screen time is short, his character reinforces the message of hope and unity.
Ciarán Hinds as the voice of Steppenwolf
The main antagonist of the film is portrayed via motion capture by Hinds. Steppenwolf is motivated by dominion and serves a greater nochalant power who he is subservient to (Darkseid, who is not present in this version of the film). The character is uninteresting, and his lack of depth and generic motivations are a problem.
Direction, Tone, And Visual Style
During production, Justice League’s tone shifted dramatically. The darker and more mythic sides of Snyder’s original vision were replaced by the lighter interludes and quippy dialogue brought in by Whedon, together with the brighter color palette. The clash of the two styles created a notable tonal inconsistency. This was pointed out and criticized by both fans and critics right after the film’s release.
The visually stunning and ambitious, large-scale action sequences incorporate slow motion, CGI, and the iconic poses of heroes. Some of the visual effects, however, drew fire as being incomplete, especially Steppenwolf’s depiction and the final battle.
Danny Elfman’s new score replaced Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s work for the DCEU. Although Elfman incorporates iconic themes from Batman and Superman films, the score seems unintegrated with the tone set in the earlier films.
Themes and Symbolism
1. Resurrection and Redemption
Superman’s return parallels a religious resurrection and symbolizes hope rejuvenated in a fear-riddled world. His death in the previous film, followed by a resurrection in this one, reinforces the notion of heroes as mythic figures.
2. Unity and Teamwork
The Justice League’s formation denotes the power of unity. Every member embodies distinct and vital dominions, and it is only through togetherness that Steppenwolf is thwarted. The film showcases how people, often seen as hopeless due to differences and past trauma, band together for a good cause.
3. Legacy and Responsibility
Both Batman and Wonder Woman grapple with the burden of their legacies. Bruce, in particular, is trying to make amends by assuming a more active role as a leader in the alliance, which he hopes will redeem him for his part in Superman’s demise.
Reception and Legacy
Critics and fans gave mixed reviews for Justice League. It was praised for its lighter tone compared to other DCEU movies and the chemistry of the cast, particularly the interactions between The Flash and Cyborg. Criticism was directed to the inconsistent tone of the film, the villain being underdeveloped, and a rushed plot.
The movie earned around $658 million globally, which was below expectations and did not cover the extremely high production and marketing cost. It is often considered one of the most prominent examples of underachievement in the history of superhero cinema.
The challenging production issues sparked a fan-led initiative to have Snyder’s original film cut restored. This eventually resulted in Snyder’s Justice League, a four-hour director’s cut released in 2021, which received more favorable reviews and stronger critical and fan praise.
Conclusion
Justice League (2017) attempts to weave together some of the most iconic heroes in comic book history into one ambitious, yet uneven, film. The movie offers some moments of spectacle and character warmth, but it falters in blending its tones, battling an uninspiring villain, and a feeling of compromise.
Most importantly, the movie sparked a worldwide fan movement that changed the Hollywood creative narrative and, perhaps most importantly, started the conversation on the direction the DCEU should take going forward. Though it may not be perfect, it’s a testament to the undying love for its characters and what can be achieved through collective action.
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