All-star superhero cast in minor league flick

Chances are there's not a soul alive who didn't grow up in some shape or form with the Justice League. Though the characters are American inventions, they're regarded the world over as iconic. Therefore, despite all evidence to the contrary, I couldn't help but have a twinge of excitement over the movie. Sure, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a cinematic travesty, but Wonder Woman was a breath of fresh air.

So where then does that leave Justice League? Well, sadly, leaning more towards the former.

While the film never quite reaches the lows of its 2016 predecessor, it does have some elements that serve as chilling reminders of how bad these films can be. The first act of the film is an incoherent mess. Batman, coming off of his win in his title fight with Superman, is travelling the world to assemble a team of super friends to face off against an incoming invasion.

Intergalactic conqueror

You have Cyborg, The Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Batman, all facing off against the evil Steppenwolf. an intergalactic conqueror with a vengeance and rotten dialogue. Perhaps Justice League is a film best seen on mute, as, too often, I would be hit with the urge to smack one of the characters for saying the absolute cheesiest lines.

Where Justice League fails is in its rushed execution, as it feels as though the first hour is a collection of disconnected scenes with no natural progression.

Yet, when that second act struck, there was a vast improvement. Suddenly, after moving past leagues of set up, the latter half of the film does the film's title justice. Yes, the characters still say ridiculous things, but they inherently feel like the characters, personalities that have the familiarity of their source material and the novelty of a few cinematic differences.

Justice League is a live action four-part episode of the animated series bearing the same name - except not as good and not nearly as beautiful. Ugly and obvious computer graphics sully a film that is best seen in 2D.

Still, despite its problems, I must say I enjoyed my experience with Justice League. If not for the sheer epic event of seeing these characters interact, I'd say it would be a film you can catch on cable. Instead, I'll say see it in the cinema only, at a discount.

Rating: Half-Price