The review embargo for “Justice League” has finally lifted, just a few days before the film comes out this weekend, and the reviews are less than fierce.
While fans who have seen the film have largely reported that they like it, critics so far have a lot of problems with the all-star DC superhero action movie.
Some reviewers blasted the film’s “disjointed storytelling” and convoluted CGI resulting in blurred action sequences. One critic even called it a “chaotic, baffling mess.”
“And so, dear ‘Justice League,’ I must say that no, the lighting is not good,” wrote Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson. “The script is not interesting. The costumes are not fun. The film is, plainly stated, terrible, and I’m sorry that everyone wasted their time and money making it–and that people are being asked to waste their time and money seeing it. I hate to be so blunt, but it simply must be said this time,” he added.
“If you like your superhero battles in deep dark tunnels or under skies purple with alien soot, director Zack Snyder is back with yet another installment that looks the way Axe body spray smells,” TheWrap’s own critic Alonso Duralde wrote in his review.
Still, critics found some redeeming qualities in “Justice League.” Most reviewers seem to agree that the characters are the strong point of the new DC movie, and that the lighter tone and funny one-liners elevate it above predecessor “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
“But ‘Justice League’ does more right than wrong,” wrote USA Today’s Brian Truitt. “Instead of having its heroes punch each other a lot, most of the tension comes from philosophical differences on what it means to serve the greater good, and the movie also pays homage to what’s come before, with Danny Elfman’s phenomenal score successfully weaving and twisting Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman themes,” he added.
“Justice League” stars Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher and Ezra Miller, and was directed by Zack Snyder before Joss Whedon took over when Snyder suffered a family tragedy.
“Doing high school and college theater, I got used to a certain kind of pitying, deflecting, post-performance compliment–‘the lighting was so good;’ ‘what an interestingscript;’ ‘what fun costumes.’ These little deceptive kindnesses told me all I needed to know, yet spared me from full exposure to the harshest truths. I’ve done the same routine myself dozens of times, because what else can we do as decent, compassionate people? Who needs mean, candid honesty when, deep down, we already know the value, or lack thereof, of what we’ve made? But once in awhile, there comes along something so egregiously bad that trying to find something good to say about it is its own kind of cruelty; such an obvious act of reaching only highlights the production’s garish dimensions, its abject failures. And, worse still, it can encourage more. In these instances, pure and unadorned honesty is really the only way to go, difficult as it may be to deliver. And so, dear ‘Justice League,’ I must say that no, the lighting is not good. The script is not interesting. The costumes are not fun. The film is, plainly stated, terrible, and I’m sorry that everyone wasted their time and money making it–and that people are being asked to waste their time and money seeing it. I hate to be so blunt, but it simply must be said this time.”
“Everything the ‘Justice League does feels too easy. Some of that is certainly due to the film’s economical runtime, which is under two hours. This should be a good thing–way too many superhero blockbusters are too bloated nowadays–but ‘Justice League’ clearly cut out some connective tissue instead of just telling a tighter story. Among those are scenes about a random European family that feel hugely out of place for most of the film; when their purpose is finally revealed, the payoff is minimal. Wonder Woman’s first appearance is another such example. She’s fighting terrorists who have this huge political agenda but they simply disappear, leaving you scratching your head. The disjointed storytelling, coupled with a lack of tension, continually works against the film.”
“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.’ When Gal Gadot’s proto-feminist Amazonian avenger got her solo showcase earlier this year, there were a lot of DC partisans who finally had a reason to feel bullish about the state of their union. Following the exit of Christian Bale in 2012, 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.
[…] 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… it feels like a sheepish feature-length retraction of the franchise to date. It’s consistently embarrassing to watch, and features plot holes so yawningly vast they have a kind of Grand Canyon-like splendour: part of you wants to hang around to see what they look like at sunset.”
“Whedon’s ‘Avengers’ was an endearing accumulation of characters whose stories assembled over the course of 10 years and several movies; ‘Justice League’ attempts to speed the process and blurs its appeal. Decades ago, before Spider-Man or Captain America took charge, Batman and Superman protected a war-torn America, forever changing popular culture. It was the D.C. universe that invented this game, so it stings to see it replicate the same old moves.”
“The scenes of the League members together, bickering and bonding, spike the film with humor and genuine feeling, creating a rooting interest in the audience. Without it, the film would crumble. Let’s face it, Steppenwolf is a CGI yawn, the action sequences are often a digital blur, the soundtrack defaults to loud whenever inspiration wanes and keeping it light becomes the first step to staying superficial. ‘Justice League‘ is a decent crowdpleaser, preferable in every way to the candy-a–ed cynicism of ‘Suicide Squad.’ But sometimes shadows need to fall to show us what to be scared of. In the end, this all-star team-up is too afraid of the dark to work its way into our dreams.”
It’s been a long, hard road to ‘Justice League.’ Director Zack Snyder, who helmed the latest iterations of Batman and Superman in ‘Man of Steel’ and ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,’ stepped away for personal reasons during post-production. ‘The Avengers’ director Joss Whedon came in to finish the film, including reshoots, which were famously foiled by Superman Henry Cavill’s ‘Mission: Impossible’ mandated mustache. But after all of that, finally, DC’s superheroes are assembled on screen at last. It’s just a shame that the resulting film is a chaotic, baffling mess.”
“‘Justice League’ is a lighter answer to the tonal issues of both ‘Man of Steel’ and ‘Batman v Superman,’ though it’s saddled with an uneven narrative and not as much character development as you’d want in trying to shoehorn ancient mythology and setup for future movies. But ‘Justice League’ does more right than wrong. Instead of having its heroes punch each other a lot, most of the tension comes from philosophical differences on what it means to serve the greater good, and the movie also pays homage to what’s come before, with Danny Elfman’s phenomenal score successfully weaving and twisting Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman themes.”
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian:
“In the end, though, there is something ponderous and cumbersome about Justice League; the great revelation is very laborious and solemn and the tiresome post-credits sting is a microcosm of the film’s disappointment. Some rough justice is needed with the casting of this franchise.”
34 Fall Movies to Obsess Over, From 'Justice League' to 'Wonder' (Photos)
Coming in hot -- and in arguably much higher volume than this past summer -- are a slew of autumn movies to be psyched about this year. From Halloween-time horror to Oscar hopefuls, browse through for TheWrap's lengthy list of 34 fall movies worth obsessing over.
"IT" (Sept. 8)
This horror remake, based on the Stephen King book of the same name, has been at the top of our must-see list for a long while. Starring Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the Clown, "It" will finally hit theaters on Sept. 8 (and scare the bejeezus out of all of us).
Initially shrouded in secrecy, this Darren Aronofsky thriller stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as a couple whose relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home. The film also features performances from Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris.
Paramount
"First They Killed My Father" (Sept. 15)
Angelina Jolie directs this film based on Loung Ung's memoir of the same name. It is the Cambodian author's personal account of her experiences during the Khmer Rouge era, from the late 1960s to the late 1990s -- when the communist group rose to power.
Netflix
"Kingsman: The Golden Circle" (Sept. 22)
The first "Kingsman" brought in more than $414 million worldwide. Now, its sequel sees protagonists of the spy series return, also welcoming new faces with Elton John and Channing Tatum.
Fox
"Victoria & Abdul" (Sept. 22)
Judi Dench stars as Queen Victoria in this fall drama, also featuring Ali Fazal as Abdul Karim, a young clerk who finds favor with the Queen herself.
Focus Features
"Battle of the Sexes" (Sept. 22)
Emma Stone and Steve Carell star in the film about the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Fox Searchlight
"American Made" (Sept. 29)
Tom Cruise in another action movie? Sign us up! In this one he plays a CIA agent intertwined in the birth of the Reagan-era Medellin drug cartel.
Universal
"Blade Runner 2049" (Oct. 6)
1982's "Blade Runner" underperformed when it first opened, but has since become a cult hit. Its long-coming sequel is highly anticipated -- and Ryan Gosling in the lead can't hurt, either. (Yes, Harrison Ford, star of the original, returns, too.)
Warner Bros.
"Florida Project" (Oct. 6)
This Cannes favorite follows six-year-old Moonee as she lives at a motel in Florida with her rebellious mother.
A24
"Goodbye Christopher Robin" (Oct. 13)
"Goodbye Christopher Robin" stars Margot Robbie and Domhnall Gleeson in a biographical account f A. A. Milne and his son, Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired Milne to write the book which became known as the Winnie the Pooh stories.
Fox Searchlight
"Happy Death Day" (Oct. 13)
Simply put: This movie just looks epic. A horror film a la "Groundhog Day," where a girl is stuck in a time loop and must find her killer -- who tries to murder her every. single. day.
Universal
"The Snowman" (Oct. 20)
Michael Fassbender plays detective Harry Hole in this thriller about a serial killer who murders women. It also stars Charlotte Gainsbourg and J.K. Simmons.
Universal
"Wonderstruck" (Oct. 20)
Todd Haynes' drama featuring two, intertwining stories about different children, set 50 years apart, has been highly anticipated among film buffs for a while, now.
Amazon Studios
"Suburbicon" (Oct. 27)
George Clooney directs this upcoming crime comedy, in which Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac and Julianne Moore star.
This coming-of-age drama stars Margaret Qualley and Dianna Agron and had its world premiere at Sundance. It follows a young nun in training who struggles with issues of faith and sexuality in the 1960s and marks Maggie Betts' narrative feature directorial debut.
Sony Pictures Classics
"Professor Marston & The Wonder Women" (Oct. 27)
A true story about the life of William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans), who created Wonder Woman in 1941, this film follows his wife and fellow inventor Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall). Bella Heathcote stars as Olive Byrne, a former student of Marston’s, with whom the married couple had a polyamorous relationship. The log line adds that Marston was the inventor of the lie detector and that the inspiration behind Wonder Woman was his wife and Byrne.
Annapurna
"Thor: Ragnarok" (Nov.3)
Marvel and Chris Hemsworth. Enough said. Oh, Queen Cate Blanchett stars as the villain and Tessa Thompson ("Creed," "Dear White People") has a part, too.
STX's "Bad Moms" received mixed reviews but ended up grossing $183 million worldwide, so a sequel was greenlit pretty quickly. The movie will star Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn again in the role of three mothers who bond together... again.
STX
"Murder on the Orient Express" (Nov. 10)
Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, Josh Gad and Michelle Pfeiffer round out the stars in this remake based on an Agatha Christie novel.
Fox
"Justice League" (Nov. 17)
After the success of "Wonder Woman," we can hardly wait to see Gal Gadot kick a-- alongside Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa. How will the multiple rumors, reshoots and director switch-ups impact the movie? We'll all just have to flock to the theater to find out.
Warner Bros.
"Wonder" (Nov. 17)
If the trailer hasn't broken your heart, you have no soul. Plus, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay star in this movie about Auggie Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade in a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Lionsgate
"Molly's Game" (Nov. 22)
Jessica Chastain stars as Molly Bloom in Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut. Bloom was a former skier who found herself running the world’s biggest underground poker game at a young age. Bloom catered to Hollywood’s elite, which included hordes of famous actors and directors, as well as mobsters and business moguls.
STX
"Death Wish" (Nov. 22)
Eli Roth is directing the remake of 1974's "Death Wish," in which Bruce Willis stars as a New York man-turned-vigilante, looking to find his wife's killers. Plus, the last time we saw Willis was in -- SPOILER ALERT -- "Split."
MGM
"Coco" (Nov. 22)
“Coco” stars Anthony Gonzalez as Miguel, a Mexican boy who longs to be a musician like his idol and great-great-grandfather, Ernesto De La Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), despite his family’s ban on music. He gets whisked away to the Land of the Dead, where he meets a trickster named Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) and uncovers the reason why his family no longer allows music. The film is written and directed by Lee Unkrich, who won an Oscar as director of "Toy Story 3."
Pixar
"The Current War" (Nov. 24)
This retelling of the rivalry between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Shannon, Tom Holland and Katherine Waterston. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon directs the film, set in the late 1880s.
The Weinstein Company
"Call Me by Your Name" (Nov. 24)
After receiving rave reviews at Sundance earlier this year, the film starring Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet is finally heading for a Nov. 24 release. It follows an American teenager(Chalamet) living in Italy with his family. They take in a handsome American student (Hammer), who serves as an academic assistant. The two men fall into a sumptuous romance against the backdrop of the gorgeous Italian countryside.
Sony Pictures Classics
"The Disaster Artist" (Dec. 1)
A movie about one of the worst movies ever made? "The Disaster Artist" stars James Franco, who also directs and produces. It chronicles the making of Tommy Wiseau's 2003 cult film "The Room," and has been one of the most anticipated movies since it was announced in 2014.
A24
"Wonder Wheel" (Dec. 1)
Woody Allen is back with "Wonder Wheel," which stars Justin Timberlake, Kate Winslet, Juno Temple and Jim Belushi. It is set in the late 1950s at Coney Island. It's about a lifeguard who tells the story of a middle-aged carousel operator and his beleaguered wife.
Guillermo del Toro is back with yet another fantastical film. The gorgeous looking “The Shape of Water” tells the story of a mute janitor who befriends a mysterious sea creature being studied in a lab. It stars Michael Shannon, Doug Jones, Octavia Spencer and Sally Hawkins.
Do we really need to explain why you might be obsessed with this movie? After "The Force Awakens" became the third highest grossing film globally and the highest domestic grossing film, we can't wait to see what "The Last Jedi" brings to the table.
Although fans weren't too stoked about a remake of Robin Williams' "Jumanji," Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson squashed all fears by telling fans it won't be a reboot, but rather a continuation of the story. And let's be honest, we're all in when it comes to The Rock. It also stars Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart.
Footage shown at CinemaCon about this film -- starring Kristen Wiig and Matt Damon -- was met with excitement. It follows a couple as they decide to downsize -- literally, become smaller. It is written and directed by Alexander Payne, whose credits include "The Descendants."
David Ayer and Max Landis team up for "Bright," set in a world where mystical creatures live side-by-side with humans. Will Smith and Joel Edgerton star. The movie is highly anticipated among Ayer fans, since "Suicide Squad" kind of -- well -- bombed in the eyes of his devotees.
Hugh Jackman stars as P.T. Barnum — the man behind the game-changing Barnum & Bailey Circus -- in "The Greatest Showman." Footage of the movie, also starring Zendaya and Zac Efron, got a glowing response at CinemaCon earlier this year -- sure to round out a great slate for the fall movie season.
The season starts with ”It“ and ends with a bang in ”The Greatest Showman“
Coming in hot -- and in arguably much higher volume than this past summer -- are a slew of autumn movies to be psyched about this year. From Halloween-time horror to Oscar hopefuls, browse through for TheWrap's lengthy list of 34 fall movies worth obsessing over.