MovieChat Forums > Justice League (2017) Discussion > Okay....time for a New Years miracle

Okay....time for a New Years miracle

posted 7 years ago by TJLamb0518 (3316)
38 replies | jump to latest

So, on New Years Day, I decided to go see a matinee and picked Justice League. I didn't want anything too deep or thinky (it was new years) and I felt I had to see it so I could critique it.

While it is no way shape or form great, or a classic or even trendsetting...it also was not the trainwreck some want it to be. It was....okay to a little less than okay. And given that this is the JUSTICE LEAGUE, that in itself is a crime. BUT I am going to list instead five things I genuinely enjoyed about the movie.

Pretend you care:

1) Gadot continues to shine as Wonder Woman.
2) I actually enjoyed the Cyborg character.
3) Ezra Miller was fun and did well with what he was given (not a backhanded slam. I just think of his Flash as Wally more than Barry)
4) Cavill seemed to actually enjoy being Superman and that shone through.
5) They finally showed Aquaman to be the powerhouse a guy who can survive on the ocean floor should be.

So, I'm sorry DCEU fanboys....this was not anything it should have been and I'm sorry DCEU trolls, but this was not the Catwoman or FanTrankstic Four level disaster it's been painted to be.

It's certainly better than BvS or MoS or suicide Squad. If it weren't for wonder Woman, this would be the high bar for the DCEU.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Interesting...I must admit that I'm surprised you actually liked a few things but, as usual, I appreciate your honest take nonetheless.

I won't be watching this until sometime down the line when I can get it for free (like I did with the other movies).

I want to start off by saying that I'm a bit mystified as to why you (and several other DCCU 'haters') like Wonder Woman so much. I read nothing but praise for that movie and Gal's performance and, while I concede that Wonder Woman is definitely the best DCCU movie and Gal is definitely the best performance of them all...I really don't see what's so great. Maybe it's just me but I really didn't care for "Wonder Woman" and I still find Gal's performance to be wooden and stuck with that same damn facial expression. She's a great PHYSICAL actress for sure--she just blows that out of the water (I'm sure her military experience in real life plays into that) but...I don't know...I didn't care for that film. The slow motion drove me crazy, most of the jokes fell flat for me, the concept of this invisible island that NO ONE accidentally stumbled upon until the 1900's was dumb in my view and I hated the seemingly feminist "kill the male bad guy but spare the female bad guy" message.

I'm not just "trying to remain a hater" or whatever nonsense--I genuinely didn't see anything special about Wonder Woman other than a boost in film quality that still fell far below "good" in my view.

As for Justice League--while I won't be seeing this until sometime down the line...I hate this version of Flash. I hate his lines in the trailer, the way he looks, the way he acts--everything. He makes me cringe, personally.

I only have the trailers to go by but the CGI looks terrible, Batman looks terrible, Aquaman looks awful, I don't like the cringe-inducing "Marvel-esque" moments...

Anyway, I'm glad you had a somewhat enjoyable time.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

Re: Wonder Woman. It was faithful, entertaining and well acted. Sure the final fight was nothing special, but I found the rest of it engaging.

And, like Thor and Dr. Strange, i’m Not a Wonder Woman fan so it was a big surprise that I enjoyed it at all.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

My wife and I watch all of our comic book movies together and we were both cringing throughout it. My wife even hated Wonder Woman more than me despite stating how Gal's fighting was impressive.

I wanted to like it. In fact--I felt its premise had the makings of a good movie but too many aspects of the movie infuriated me and I simply lost my ability to care: wooden acting from Gal, absolutely zero chemistry between Pine and Gadot, SLOW MOTION....just awful. I HATED all the slow motion in that movie. Almost every other swing of a sword or fist would stop for slow motion. It was annoying and distracting.

Other aspects that bothered me were certain instances of the "stranger in a strange land" theme with Diana in the human environments. I get that she isn't familiar with human culture but does she really not understand the concept of "low profile" or avoiding attention? There are moments where she just walks around freely, sword in hand, and has to be coached by Trevor NOT to brandish it freely in public and to sheath/hide it. He had already told her beforehand that they needed to avoid enemy detection and she doesn't know enough to sheath/hide the damn thing?

Also, the majority of Trevor and Diana's scenes together comprised of Trevor grabbing her by her shoulders and saying: "Listen! Listen! Don't go there! Don't do that! We can't do that!" These moments became tiresome after a while and eventually led to Trevor looking like a fool who should have known better (IE: there were several tactical decisions that Diana made that a solder in Trevor's position should have already known but he acted like a bumbling dumbass half the time). I get that they were trying to bolster Diana's heroism and such but they turned Trevor into this...doofus in order to achieve it.

I seem to be alone in my hatred of "Wonder Woman" which might make me look like a hate troll but I honestly tried to like that movie--we even almost went to see it in theaters--we were THAT interested in it.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 7 years ago

I thought you guys watched it ages ago already! 😮

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

LOL! Nah, I always see these DCCU films free and long after release. I've yet to lay down a dime for even one of them. Some DCCU zealots like to claim that, because I saw Man of Steel in a hotel room, that I somehow "paid to watch it" but other than that--I've never seen a DCCU movie close to its release.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 7 years ago

I didn't dream you'd pay to watch, but it's just funny.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Well, this is where all my buddies are. ;)

[–] catsidhe (1649) 7 years ago

Isn't it great? :D

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

It is. :D Almost feels like IMDB again. :)

[–] catsidhe (1649) 7 years ago

Yeah...I always said that the site that can successfully give people the individual boards will be IMDB II.

Just takes a little while for everyone to get on board.

Also, noticed the moderation seems to have relaxed back to how it was. What happened? (I like that we're basically free! Just wondered what happened to the nuns with the rulers)

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

Oh.....noooo.....sadly even GOOD movies that come out during the holiday season need to be prioritized by life.

So, you know....this one had to wait until January.

BTW, only one showing in my multiplex and only 8 people in the theater.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 7 years ago

I haven't seen it yet (also why I'm a bit MIA) but HOLY FETID FUCKBALLS I would pay DOUBLE to see it alone in the cinema. Well...with my boyfriend.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

It really made it more enjoyable.

People in theaters suck.

[–] Lady_Leopard17 (227) 7 years ago

Well dteam6 I'm sure if you give Justice League a real chance you too maybe pleasantly surprised how enjoyable it is... I know I was when I saw it, all you got to do is use your own fair and unbiased opinion and not let critics influence your opinion... just give it a go.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

Or...you know....don't

[–] TheGothamCat2007 (44) 7 years ago

LOL! Are you actually implying that dturd6 is capable of having his own opinion Leopard? That's rich, he is a total sheep...always following the way of popular opinion, never thinking for himself... kind of reminds me of this other troll that I knew back on IMDb that want by the name of TheMightyThor2.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 7 years ago

I won't be watching this until sometime down the line when I can get it for free

HD version actually leaked on Dec 22nd, FYI. It has Korean subtitles, but otherwise it's pretty much blu-ray quality.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

I actually kind of liked Catwoman--my wife and I saw it for the first time a few months ago. However, I probably liked it mostly for the eye candy: Halle Barry in black leather, Sharon Stone and Halle and Sharon...fighting... :D

[–] catsidhe (1649) 7 years ago

OMFG dteam. Catwoman was GODawful. And if you liked tgat then you lost ALL argument against me liking the look of Batfleck so THERE! HA!

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Touche. You got me there, Cat! LOL! XD

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

Wow....that is a credibility hit of Zack Snyder proportions right there.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Well, to be fair, I didn't love the movie--just thought it was ok for a movie I'd heard nothing but bad things about for two decades.

I will admit though that O would have preferred that original Michelle Pfieffer version they'd had planned.

[–] Lady_Leopard17 (227) 7 years ago

Well TJLamb0518 I commend you for your honest and fair review of JL, yes it certainly was no where near as bad as the Marvelites make it out to be, I to enjoyed it quite a bit and don't mind dteam6... he is just a sad biased Marvelite who lashes out at all DC fans and claims to like both DC and Marvel but I call complete bullshit on that, his words are more worthless than the dirt he walks on since at least fresh fertilized soil can produce healthy plants and vegetables, dteam6's words can't even do that, LOL!

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

Well....you're wrong.

First off, while I said JL was not the trainwreck some paint it to be, I notice you blissfully ignored where it's also not (IMO) a particularly great film. Or a good film. It's not even the best of a bad lot of films produced for the DCCU.

And dteam? Sorry, but he's actually pretty spot on. Sure, sometimes he (like all of us) engages in hyperbole to accent his points, but his points are fair.

I might like JL more if I was not a fan of CBMs or of the source materials. Sadly, I am and this film (while not as bad as....Elektra or Steel) is not what these characters deserve.

I have to ask, given the way you responded....where are you from?

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

I can only imagine what it's like to be a fan of these comics and then see this movie. You have source material to compare this to. I don't read comics and never heard of Justice League or Avengers before. I grew up with Burton Batman, The Animated Series, etc.

Considering your love of those comics, I can only imagine how this DCCU has let you down. If they wipe the slate clean and start over I'm willing to give them a chance.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

What's frustrating is....they have germs of ideas. You can see where someone in the production team maybe read an issue or two and then took THAT and ran with it. I actually DON'T want my CBMs to be slavishly devoted to the comics, retelling comic stories beat for beat (I for one, was FINE with the change to Watchmen and feel that in the world of the Watchmen, changing the fall guy from Giant Alien Squid to the only superhuman on the planet made sense) but there are...standards you need to hit.

Batman is not jokey
Superman is not grim
Captain America is always earnest
The Hulk is always dangerous

Those kinds of things

[–] Lady_Leopard17 (227) 7 years ago

Ah, I see you aren't bothering to deny that critics and Rotten Tomatoe influence your opinion on the true quality of a film...jeez TheGothemCat was spot on, you are a sheep, either that or you set your expectations way to high. A movie doesn't have to be critically acclaimed for you to enjoy it you know.

PS: You're preaching to the wrong people dteam6, if you truly want to voice your frustrations on the quality of the DCU than how about you send an angery email or Twitter Zack Snyder or the executives at WB which is what I've been doing instead of wasting your time bitching with a bunch of fans that doesn't seem to be accomplishing anything.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Huh? Why would I deny something that I was never accused of doing in the first place? O_o

Now that you have accused me I will shoot down your idiotic accusation in short order--if RT or critics influenced my opinions then I would not:

-Choose to skip The Last Jedi. The critics love it. RT is beaming and I'm a major Star Wars fan choosing not to watch it.

-Love "Bright". Bright is one of my favorite movies this year yet critics hate it.

-Wonder Woman was praised by critics and even my fellow "hater" buddies here yet I hated it.

-Age of Ultron was praised all around but I didn't like it.

-Spiderman: Homecoming was praised all around but I chose not to watch it.

You might want to revise your "biased marvelite" accusation there, chief. Or don't. I couldn't really care less.

And GothamCat hasn't been right about anything since IMDB but if you want to sink your credibility then more power to you, LOL!

Thank you for the suggestion but I think I will continue posting here on this discussion forum. This isn't a fansite, Lady. :)

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

See, I enjoy ripping the DCCU--I've never led people to believe otherwise. Why do I enjoy it? Because I'm a fan who feels cheated.

And I'm a fan of both, yes. Did you know that my top three CBM's of all time are all Batman movies? Yep: Batman 89, Batman Returns and Batman Forever. Ask those who know me--I said this on IMDB all the time. My 4th favorite CBM is The Winter Soldier. Three Batman movies are better than any MCU movie for me.

Yes, I most definitely a fan of both properties. DCCU will continue to receive a ripping from me as long as they disappoint me.

Furthermore, you DCCU zealots (not fans, mind you--fans ar OK) act like elitist snobs which is why people rip into you. You snobs deserve to be knocked down several pegs.

You are definitely a zealot and that's why you constantly have crosshairs all over you. Learn to conduct yourself accordingly and stop whining about people calling you out on your $hit.

[–] NorrinRad (5470) 7 years ago

Did you know that my top three CBM's of all time are all Batman movies? Yep: Batman 89, Batman Returns and Batman Forever. Ask those who know me--I said this on IMDB all the time. My 4th favorite CBM is The Winter Soldier. Three Batman movies are better than any MCU movie for me.

My apologies for being a But-inski, if you haven't you should consider giving a viewing to Batman:Mask of the Phantasm. It had a limited USA theatrical release and the score/sound/visuals were amazing. I actually bought it to add to my then LaserDisc collection, and it for me was the most definitive and defining renditions of Batman/Bruce Wayne. It was also well reviewed by Ebert & Siskel (if that means anything to you).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_KcFFqLggY

Here is another video treatise on B:MoTP that is just so well explained with a ton of context and hopefully you might find it interesting even if you've already seen B:MoTP. If you HAVEN'T seen B:MoTP yet, do NOT view the next video until after you've seen it. You've been properly warned. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Rpb1rPf-4

So many Batman fans under the age of 35 are more influenced by the 89 movie version and the Animated series and this one just seemed to slip under their radar.

As to the rest of your tete-a-tete, carry on!

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep that one on my radar. I keep forgetting about that movie. Does it have the quality of The Animated Series?

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

Mask of the Phantasm is VERY good.

Most of DC's animated work is above average.

Maybe that's what the movies need....more drawings.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Interesting...

I will look into it sometime.

I wonder why they can't have the same level of competence in the live action department.

[–] NorrinRad (5470) 7 years ago

Does it have the quality of The Animated Series?

Without trying to seem like I am hype-ing B:MoTP, Yes, yes, yes and yes. It is the Animated Series on High-Quality steroids. Hamill, Conroy, Bruce Timm (Directing) , Andrea Romano (Casting/Voice Direction); all great hands were all in on this project.

If Warner/DC ever turned this into a live action it would be a mega-hit. It is just that great of a movie that is dismissed and stigmatized because it is animated and based on a Comic-Book character. Backtrack, Warner would find some way to screw it up. Hamill's voiced joker is more than Leto could even dream to accomplish.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Yeah, Leto is a turd sandwich--fvck him. Hamill joker already has me sold--he's my favorite joker. I will definitely check it out sometime. Thanks for all the info! :)

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

I'll even say Batman Beyond Return of the Joker is well worth a watch. And I NEVER liked what little of Batman Beyond I watched.

[–] dteam6 (5073) 7 years ago

Mark Hamill makes anything worthwhile.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

That’s why I own an HD digital copy of Corvette Summer...