JUSTICE LEAGUE Reviews Are Out, Are You Going, Or Waiting?



Justice League Reviews Are Out, Are You Going, Or Waiting Until It Comes to TV?

The reviews have been set free by the critics embargo set by WB... and now if you must, you have to wait a day for Rotten Tomatoes to tally up the score because WB has even pushed their score reporting on the movie back, well, here's what I'm seeing:

It's not as horrible as you might expect from the near last-minute review embargo, and if I do go see it, if for anything, to give you a first-hand account of my pain or surprise, it will be at the cheapest ticket level possible so I don't feel too ripped off.


Below are snippets from the ensemble of critics that I have researched and trust to have a similar perspective about films that I do.

WHEN I SAY critics that I trust, I mean, they tend to treat popcorn films and serious films within their own guidelines of good or bad. Too many critics treat all films with the same critical eye, paying a disservice to popcorn films, when in fact, like I've always said, popcorn films should have their own scale to ponder.

The first few snippets of reviews are from a select group of critics I use to decide if I'm going to go see a sci-fi, fantasy popcorn film or not. My choice of critics seem to lean towards the right side of the fence that defines the middle of the road, or, the OK side of the road.

But if you look around at the various snippets or links I've provided afterwards, there's plenty of harsh treatment by the critics too, but of course, those critics are the ones comparing Justice League to Gone with the Wind. I also make note of one critic's observation on Snyder's sexist approach to portraying strong women.

With that said:

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Variety:  By Owen Gleiberman   

The new DC Comics movie is the anti-'Batman v Superman': a superhero epic that's more light than dark, and the essence of generic competence.

...The film is the definition of an adequate high-spirited studio lark: no more, no less. If fans get excited about it, that may mostly be because they’re excited about getting excited.

...“Justice League,” the latest link of Tinkertoy in the DC Comics universe, has been conceived, in each and every frame, to correct the sins of “Batman v Superman.” It’s not just a sequel — it’s an act of franchise penance. The movie, which gathers up half a dozen comic-book immortals and lets them butt heads on their way to kicking ass, is never messy or bombastic. It’s light and clean and simple (at times almost too simple), with razory repartee and combat duels that make a point of not going on for too long.

http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/justice-league

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Entertainment Weekly, Chris Nashawaty, C+

First, the good news. Justice League is better than its joylessly somber dress rehearsal, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Now the “but”…you knew there was a “but” coming, right? But it also marks a pretty steep comedown from the giddy highs of Wonder Woman...  it was the first real glimmer of hope that maybe the studio was headed in the right direction. That the future was bright. Justice League won’t extinguish that hope. Not by a long shot. But it also doesn’t quite translate into a winning streak either. It’s a placeholder in a franchise that’s already had too many placeholders.

... Affleck looks like the highest-paid captive in a hostage video.

...Steppenwolf is one of those patently phony CGI creations that gives the film a uncanny-valley shlockiness. He looks like a cross between a Viking and a billy goat.

http://ew.com/movies/2017/11/15/justice-league-review/

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Movie Nation, Roger Moore, 2.5/4 stars.
Warners finally plays in the “Avengers” Ballpark with “Justice League”

...There’s no getting around this contorted, stupid as all get-out story. But the right tone helps put it over. The “team” has its grumpy founder (Batman), its powerhouse smart alec (Aquaman), its “kid” (Flash) and the technically improved computer/war machine (Cyborg).

Wonder Woman is the adult in the room, the Captain America of this franchise.

...“Justice League” doesn’t have anyone with the witty way with a line Robert Downey Jr. brings to Ironman, or the swagger of Chris Hemsworth (Thor) to carry it. But Momoa’s bemused physicality has its own cockiness, Miller’s wide-eyed Flash innocence and Gadot’s commitment to earnest, brave and spoiling for a fight Diana put “The Avengers” on notice.

https://rogersmovienation.com


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Here's a review of someone I don't know but seems to mostly agree with how I see popcorn films. And she makes an excellent observation about how sexist Zack Snyder sees women on film... it's revealing...

Lindsey Bahr, ABC News, AP

"Although marginally better than "Batman v Superman" and "Suicide Squad," director Zack Snyder's latest is still a profound mess of maudlin muscles, incoherent action and jaw-droppingly awful CGI."

"Miller, whose quick, self-deprecating humor (likely the result of Joss Whedon's script and reshoot work) and general liveliness steals scenes away from his brawnier and moodier counterparts."

"And never has it been so obvious that the character of Wonder Woman is now being presented through a man's eyes."

"It's not too late to re-think this whole thing and start over. Just keep Gadot around, please."

Lindsey retweet





http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment

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EW did a quick rundown of other critics:

Robie Collin (The Telegraph): “Warner Bros.’ latest hapless attempt to jump-start their DC Comics blockbuster brand, which at this point looks less like a cinematic universe than a pop-cultural black hole, sucking up as much money and audience goodwill as the studio can shovel into it

Todd McCarthy (THR): “The increasingly turgid tales of Batman and Superman — joined, unfortunately for her, by Wonder Woman — trudge along to ever-diminishing returns in Justice League.

Eric Kohn (IndieWire): “….a tired, conventional attempt to play by the rules, with “hold for laughs” moments shoehorned between rapid-fire action — a begrudging concession that the Marvel formula works, and a shameless attempt to replicate it

Peter Travers (Rolling Stone): “For those who loathe Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and they are legion, Justice League will be just the corrective followup they’re looking for

Kate Taylor (Daily Globe and Mail): “…. there’s frustratingly little space to tell their individual stories and, biggest problem of all, they lack a worthy opponent

Brian Truitt (USA Today): “Justice League ... Wonder Woman and Batman prove to be a dynamic mom-and-dad duo while the fastest kid around steals the show


Matt Singer (ScreenCrush): “... Justice League gave me chills... the kind you feel... after you quickly gulp down a big glass of milk and suddenly remember the carton expired two weeks ago.


http://ew.com/movies/justice-league-reviews/

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There are a BOATLOAD of critic review snippets at ComicBookMovie.com:

https://www.comicbookmovie.com/justice_league/the-first-full-justice-league-reviews

and at

http://screencrush.com/justice-league-reviews/

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Warner Bros., MPAA rating: PG-13. Running time: 119 MIN.

Production: A Warner Bros. release of a DC Films, Director: Zack Snyder. Screenplay: Chris Terrio, Joss Whedon.

With: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Ezra Miller, Jason Monoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J.K. Simmons, Ciarán Hinds.


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