Justice League
Justice League (2017), directed by Zack Snyder (with Joss Whedon finishing post-production), is widely regarded as a disjointed and disappointing entry in the DC Extended Universe. Bringing together Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, and Cyborg to face Steppenwolf, the film had the potential for an epic team-up, but a chaotic production, uneven tone, and a bloated script leave it feeling incomplete and unsatisfying. While the cast shows flashes of charisma, the film rarely allows characters to shine individually, and the story is frequently undermined by rushed exposition and unnecessary humour.
The first part of the film attempts to set up the threat posed by Steppenwolf and introduces the remaining members of the Justice League. The middle section crams in several origin stories and character interactions while attempting to build momentum for the climactic battle. Despite moments of spectacular CGI and action sequences, the narrative often feels cluttered, and key emotional beats, particularly for characters like Cyborg and Flash, are glossed over or underdeveloped. The film struggles to balance lighthearted moments with the darker stakes implied by Snyder’s original vision, leading to a tonal mess.
Overall, Justice League is a frustrating and uneven film that falls far short of its potential. While glimpses of fun and excitement exist, they are buried under pacing issues, narrative confusion, and inconsistent direction. It’s a weak attempt at a major superhero ensemble and is largely remembered for what it could have been rather than what it actually delivers.