Justice League (2017): A Critical Look Back

What's up, movie buffs! Today, we're diving deep into a film that had a ton of hype surrounding it, but ultimately left many fans scratching their heads: 2017's Justice League. This flick was supposed to be DC's answer to Marvel's Avengers, bringing together iconic heroes like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to face off against a universe-ending threat. The expectations were sky-high, guys, and let's just say the reality was… complicated. We'll be dissecting what went wrong, what (if anything) went right, and why this movie remains a major talking point in the superhero genre. Get ready, because we're about to break down the Justice League movie from 2017 in a way you haven't seen before.

The Ambitious Premise and Early Struggles

The core idea behind Justice League was pure gold. After the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the world is reeling, and a new, cosmic threat emerges in the form of Steppenwolf and his Parademons, all in search of the Mother Boxes. This calls for Earth's greatest heroes to unite, forming the titular Justice League. It’s the stuff comic book dreams are made of, right? However, the road to the big screen was anything but smooth. Director Zack Snyder, who had laid the groundwork for this cinematic universe, faced immense personal tragedy during production. This led to the involvement of Joss Whedon, who came in to complete the film. Now, while collaboration can be a beautiful thing, the shift in directorial vision was palpable and, unfortunately, not always for the better. The studio's desire for a lighter, more 'fun' tone, combined with reshoots that felt disconnected from Snyder's original vision, created a jarring experience. You can almost feel the tug-of-war in the final cut, with scenes that felt jarringly out of place or characterizations that felt inconsistent. This internal conflict is one of the biggest reasons why the Justice League movie from 2017 feels so disjointed. It's a shame because the potential was definitely there. Imagine if they had stuck to a single, cohesive vision from start to finish! That's the dream, right?

The Characters: A Mixed Bag of Heroes

Let's talk about the heroes themselves, because this is where a lot of the magic (or lack thereof) happens. Ben Affleck's Batman felt like he was trying to find his footing, still burdened by his earlier grim portrayal but showing glimmers of leadership. Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman continued to shine, bringing grace and power to the role, even if her screen time felt somewhat limited. Jason Momoa's Aquaman was a revelation, exuding a raw, untamed energy that hinted at the King of Atlantis to come. Ezra Miller's The Flash offered much-needed levity and youthful enthusiasm, though his powers were often depicted in a somewhat inconsistent manner for comedic effect. Ray Fisher's Cyborg, a character with immense potential for a compelling arc, was sadly underdeveloped, often relegated to exposition or CGI spectacle. And then there's Henry Cavill's Superman. Ah, Superman. His return from the dead was a pivotal moment, but the infamous mustache-gate and the resulting digital removal led to a distractingly uncanny valley effect in certain scenes. More than the visual oddities, though, was the debate around Superman's characterization – was he the hopeful beacon we know and love, or something darker? The ensemble nature of the film meant that character development was often sacrificed for the sake of moving the plot forward. While each actor brought their A-game, the script didn't always give them the material to truly soar. It’s a tough gig when you’re trying to balance six major heroes and a world-ending villain, but Justice League (2017) stumbled in giving each character their due spotlight. We wanted to see these legends interact and grow, not just fight alongside each other. It's a classic ensemble problem, but one that really hurt this specific film.

The Villain: Steppenwolf's Underwhelming Presence

When you're building a movie around Earth's mightiest heroes, you need a villain who can match their grandeur. Enter Steppenwolf, the uncle of Darkseid and a formidable warrior. In theory, he’s a terrifying antagonist. He’s ancient, he’s powerful, and he’s after the MacGuffins (the Mother Boxes) that could doom humanity. However, in the Justice League film from 2017, Steppenwolf’s execution was, frankly, underwhelming. Voiced by Ciarán Hinds, the character was largely a CGI creation with a design that felt somewhat generic for a cosmic threat. His motivations, beyond a desire to conquer and impress his master Darkseid, were thinly sketched. We didn’t get a deep dive into his backstory or his personal stakes, making him feel more like a plot device than a fully realized antagonist. Compared to the compelling villains seen in other superhero films, Steppenwolf felt like a missed opportunity. The film needed a villain who could challenge the heroes not just physically, but ideologically or emotionally. Instead, we got a brute force enemy whose primary function was to bring the heroes together through sheer threat. It’s a classic villain trope, but without the depth, it falls flat. Many fans were hoping for a more iconic DC villain, perhaps even a glimpse of Darkseid himself, but Steppenwolf ended up being the most forgettable aspect for many viewers. The lack of a truly menacing and complex villain is a significant reason why the Justice League movie of 2017 didn't quite hit the mark. Guys, a great hero team needs an equally great, or even greater, villain to truly make sparks fly. And sadly, Steppenwolf just didn't provide that spark.

The Snyder Cut: A Fan's Dream Realized?

Now, we can't talk about the Justice League movie from 2017 without mentioning the phenomenon that is the Snyder Cut. After the theatrical release, a massive fan campaign emerged, demanding to see Zack Snyder's original vision for the film. The belief was that Snyder's cut would be a more cohesive, darker, and emotionally resonant version. And guess what? They were right! Released in 2021 on HBO Max, Zack Snyder's Justice League (often referred to as the