Justice League: DC's Heroes Unite

"People said the Age of Heroes would never come again" - Diana Prince.

Last night, alongside my girlfriend, my brother and a group of our close friends, all of us sat down to take in what proved to be a superhero cinematic masterpiece. In spite of the poor reception it has received in professional circles, Warner Bros. Pictures latest epic Justice League, far surpassed all expectations.

Many people who are lifelong DC Comics readers and devoted fans of all their other media will find this movie to be in many cases, exactly what they wanted. Others will not enjoy it as much, and that's okay, these sorts of productions can't please everyone.

    

With two directors attached to it (Zach Snyder and Joss Whedon), what is served up is a movie that is neither serious nor silly, dark nor light. Instead it is a balanced piece, equal parts serious with lots of action and equal parts humorous with excellent dialogue between League members. These two men working to bring this vision to life, instead did something far more.

This, the first ever live-action Justice League movie, evoked memories of the Bruce Timm cartoons that aired on Cartoon Network during the 2000s. Which is to say, it took itself seriously, but not so much that it didn't forget that not everyone on the team has to be dour all the time. There is room for humor and banter, especially with newcomers playing the roles of Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman.

Flash (Ezra Miller) is a very comedic character, but can be serious when there is need. This fits more or less with how Barry Allen's tenure as the Flash has always been, a man who can bring smiles to people's faces but when the chips are down, he steps up. People get a Barry Allen who is still fresh to the hero game. Aside from stopping small crimes (mostly by pushing people over like in Suicide Squad), this is that stepping up point for Barry. In stepping up, he moves past any doubts or fears he had about himself, and shows what the true mettle of a hero is.

Speaking of mettle, its time to talk about the metal man himself, Cyborg. Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) is a complex figure. Blessed or cursed with new life and powers that he doesn't fully understand, Victor goes through a very serious crisis of self, of where he fits into the world now and what his purpose is. It takes wise words from Diana/Wonder Woman for him to see that even with being more machine, its not the technology that makes a hero, but the person behind it.

The final newcomer and member of the League is the Sovereign of the Seven Seas, Aquaman. Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) is man of two worlds. For him, its not a struggle about his place, but what he wants to do with himself, being half human and half Atlantean. Like Cyborg and Flash however, he makes the choice to step up and stand alongside the rest of the team and save the world. In doing so, the brash loner attitude fades away, in its place is the warrior fighting with friends for a greater good.

Every great superhero movie needs a grand villain, a powerful threat to save the day from. Appearing for the first time ever in movies, is Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds). Without giving away any of his role in the plot, here is his basic comic book background. Created by Jack Kirby and appearing in New Gods #7 (1972), Steppenwolf hails from the planet Apokolips. As head of the world's military forces, he is also uncle to its absolute ruler, Darkseid. His purpose on Earth in the film is that is of a mission from his master and nephew, and that's all to be said on that and not give away any spoilers. 

Even with it being a comic book movie, there is a great theme prevalent throughout the script. Like Diana's quote about the Age of Heroes, this story is about heroes. It takes more then just one man or woman to make a difference in this case, it takes people standing up and coming into the sun. Too long had the world gone without a light to provide hope in dark times. The Justice League coming together provides that light, that beacon. This story does a lot not only in terms of introducing the three newcomers as other charter League teammates, it also is a bigger springboard for DC to introduce the world to its vast and fantastic array of super characters.

Altogether, Justice League set out with a goal. To tell the tale of DC Comics premier team banding together on the big screen. With fabulous return performances from Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill, they are truly a sight to behold. There is also a storied and great support cast, with the likes of Connie Nielsen (Queen Hippolyta), Joe Morton (Silas Stone), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Jeremy Irons (Alfred Pennyworth), JK Simmons (Commissioner Gordon), Amber Heard (Mera), Diane Lane (Martha Kent) and Billy Crudup (Henry Allen). 

Not too mention Easter Eggs galore. To comic book fans and hardcore DC lovers, this is a picture chock full of them. It as if every other scene or sequence has a nod to something relating to the comics, the heroes or the DC Universe at large. For a complete (or near complete) list of all the Easter Eggs and references, click here to go to Den of Geek. 

As for the soundtrack, it was...super. With master music meister Danny Elfman at the helm, it was never going to fail. Beautiful and powerful orchestrations, the kind of music that made Superman and Batman celebrated DC movies in their time. There are three distinct nods to classic superhero tracks scattered throughout the movie. Keep those ears open and see if they jump out. 

If there was ever a time for a movie about heroes bringing hope to come out, its now. Every day the world at large seems like a dark place. Things constantly are on the brink of plunging into chaos at any moment. Even with it being a fictional tale, this was a much needed and welcome film. It not only underscores the classic hero concept, it shows what sort of difference can be made when people make a stand for truth and justice. That's a massive takeaway, especially in a world where superpowers don't exist and figures like Superman or Wonder Woman can't come racing from the sky to right wrongs. Justice League gets a whooping 5 out of 5 stars for plot, cast, strong themes, music and visuals and most of all, for at long last giving nerds and fans everywhere the great DC blockbuster they've always craved.