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Joker (2019)
Joker (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama
I found it refreshing to see a movie built specifically around Joker without the backdrop of Batman looming overhead. There have been some remarkable interpretations of Joker in the past but I don't think that the viewer has been given the opportunity to really dive into the villain and what makes him who he has become. It was nice to see a film maker give the audience permission to root for someone who wasn't the traditional hero, but a "hero" in his own rite, depending on your point of view and interpretation.

I do think that there were parts of the movie that were lacking development. But I think that can be said about just about any movie you can find. All in all, worth a watch. I'm not sure if I will watch again. Time will tell.
  
The Boys Volume 2: Get Some
The Boys Volume 2: Get Some
Garth Ennis | 2008 | Comics & Graphic Novels
8
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A side-step for the second and third story arcs
The second volume of the graphic novel series combines two distinct story arcs. These do not follow on from the issues with The Seven, or the conflict with Teenage Kix, and this kind of stands out from the first issue.
The first arc follows Butcher and Hughie trying to find out how a young gay man met his death, and has hilarious moments, mainly surrounding the Batman-esque Tek-Knight.
The second arc sees the team take a trip to Russia and uncover a plot to overthrow the government.
Both stories have the same feel of the first arc, but they feel like something of a distraction, and not much is done to build up the tension with The Seven (other than starting to uncover the CIA's reluctance to take Vought-American down).
  
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
2016 | Action, Sci-Fi
This movie is criminally underrated and bashed as such. Of course it's not the best superhero movie ever. It's not even the best Zack Snyder film. But it does tell a good story with good acting and great action.

Regardless of the beating in the media, Ben Affleck did just fine as Batman. Jesse Eisenberg also did a fine job as Lex Luthor, although you couldn't tell it by reading "professional" reviews. I feel like he brought an accurate neurotic element to the character.

I find it interesting that the MCU is often praised for taking a bit of a darker approach to its films while the DCEU is almost exclusively criticized for a similar approach. Yes, I do understand they are very different. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the MCU, but hypocrisy runs rampant.
  
Justice League (2017)
Justice League (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure
Hoorah, it's not a total dud
The entire production of Justice League has been enveloped in the tragedy surrounding director Zack Snyder’s sudden departure from the project in March this year.

After losing his daughter, Autumn, to suicide, the DC regular decided to hand over the reins of his passion project to Avengers director Joss Whedon so that he could spend time with his family. Whedon came on board and decided to undertake costly reshoots in order to get the film finished on time.

In that respect, it’s a miracle we’ve even got a Justice League movie in the first place. What’s even more of a miracle is that it turns out to be not rubbish – unfortunately that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give this frequently entertaining but messy outing for our favourite selection of DC Comic superheroes.

Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) act of selflessness, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against their newly awakened enemy, Steppenwolf. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes — Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and the Flash (Ezra Miller) – it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

This year’s Wonder Woman proved that the DC Universe can be at least a passable alternative to the might of Marvel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was an entertaining, if entirely forgettable mash up of the two titular heroes. Justice League sits somewhere in between – it’s not as much of an ordeal as BvS, but it’s also not as interesting as Wonder Woman. The less said about Suicide Squad, the better.

Acting wise, it’s a good start for the League. Ben Affleck is a cracking Bruce Wayne, but his Batman is lacking the gritty humanity of Christian Bale’s turn as the caped crusader. Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa and Ray Fisher all perform well with the former in particular being a highlight, but their rushed introductions do them no favours. However, the standout once again is the wonderful Gal Gadot. Her selfless Diana Prince really is magnificent and her increased screen-time in Justice League when compared to Batman v Superman is more than welcome.

Justice League is a film with a bit of an identity crisis as it frequently feels like a mishmash of scenes put together to make a film.
The main villain, Steppenwolf, voiced well by Ciarán Hinds is less successful. Masked behind walls of at-times poor CGI, his threat never feels truly realised and poor Hinds is wasted in a role reminiscent of the dreadful work 20th Century Fox did on Oscar Issac in X-Men: Apocalypse. He gets some good lines however, and makes for a decent, if unremarkable antagonist.

Amy Adams and Diane Lane are once again side-lined in their roles as Lois Lane and Martha Kent respectively. These incredible actresses really are wasted in roles that have little-to-no outcome to the plot. And this is a problem that has blighted the DCEU from the get-go. The calibre of actors used in these films is frankly, astounding and each one of them deserves better than the overly expositional and cringe worthy dialogue they continue to be lumped with.

The final act, like so many films before it, is a mess of ugly CGI that spoils a very decent middle section that has some truly poignant moments. The return of Superman (that isn’t a spoiler if you’ve been following the marketing for Justice League) is handled well and the moment he is reunited with his mother is touching and well-acted.

Justice League is a film with a bit of an identity crisis as it frequently feels like a mishmash of scenes put together to make a film. It’s also painfully obvious where Snyder’s very ‘operatic’ filming style is replaced with Joss Whedon’s trademark wit and this doesn’t sit well all of the time. It’s clear that a turbulent production has created a film that’s biggest merit is that it even managed to exist in the first place, and that’s a real shame. Entertaining? Yes. But entertainment can’t mask a film that reeks of mediocrity.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/11/19/justice-league-review/