I intended this at first to be all about Justice League: War but my thoughts branched out to other Justice League-related reflections. Here we go...
→ When I saw the trailer for Justice League: War, I inferred that I
won’t like it, that it’s probably going to be the most inferior of all DC animated
movies. So I decided that I won’t watch
it. But, in the end, as soon as it was
out, I did watch it. It merely confirmed
my inference. Now, I haven’t seen all DC animated movies, but I did see most of them. Justice League: War
doesn’t necessarily suck – it’s actually exciting and entertaining – but it’s
my least favorite DC animate movie so far.
→ The voice acting was
terrible. There was even one instance
that some characters were seemingly just reading off the script.
→ Most of the costumes were bad.
→ When the New 52 ditched
Superman’s iconic costume, I was against it but was not really mad about
it. To me, I preferred the old look but
it was as if the new look was not that bad.
But now seeing it animated and in motion, it really doesn’t look right
on Superman. It was aesthetically awful
to me.
→ Half of the roster displayed
different degrees of jerk-assery. Most
annoying of all was Green Lantern.
Ugh.
→ It’s unfortunate that DC’s
attempt of putting more depth on Superman’s character was by making him a bit
of a jerk. I really cringe on some of
Superman’s lines here – he sounded like a borderline A-hole. Also, I hated that JL: War’s depiction of Superman’s approach in fighting is totally like
his Man of Steel counterpart:
reckless and no regard for collateral damage at all. Now, I could give that that worked in Man of Steel, because of its “realistic”
and cynical context and tone, but that should never define who Superman
is. Hence, between these and the god-awful
costume, I totally despised what DC’s “make-over” did to Superman.
→ The only awesome thing about this
movie is Batman. Because Batman is
always awesome. Jason O’Mara was no
Kevin Conroy but he delivered a decent performance.
→ I probably would have hated Green
Lantern less – and might have even completely liked him, even if he was a big A-hole
– if it was Nathan Fillion voicing him again.
→ The Flash was fine, too. Next to Batman, Flash is the most likable
character of the movie. He had some
great action sequences.
→ Third most likable character was
Captain Marvel (Yeah, yeah. He’s solely
known as Shazam now. But he’ll always be a Captain Marvel to me). Yeah, he had
some annoying moments where he came out as a jerk (especially when he was in
his Billy Bateson form), but he looked fantastic and had great action
moments.
→ I have no clue why they gave
Aquaman’s roster spot to Shazam (in the original New 52 comics, it was Aquaman
who founded the Justice League with the others, not Shazam). DC is still embarrassed by him, I guess,
even though New 52 has turned him into a real badass already.
→ It was an origin story on how the
New 52 version of the Justice League started.
So it was important that their bringing together was emphatically
done. However, though they managed to
work together and triumph as a team, I did not feel any chemistry developing
among them.
* * *
→ A chilling thrill went up my spine when it was announced during last year’s San Diego Comic Con that a Batman/Superman movie is set for 2015 (which is recently moved to 2016). That’s brilliant! This was a movie I’ve wanted to happen for a long time. So excited.
→ Awesome the Avengers movie might have been, Batman and Superman’s reputation is
enough to match the entire Avengers’ movie roster in terms of pop culture
weight. Even if they make this movie just
as awesome as the Batman/Superman: Public
Enemies animated movie, then that would be more than enough.
→ It’s implied that this movie is going
to have a “Batman vs. Superman” premise.
I’m cool with that – the two heroes clashing first before teaming-up
against a common threat. But If there’s
going to be a fight, it has to be compelling and the stakes believable and
exciting, i.e. they have to be in equal standing. Hence, there’s a need to show Batman’s
tactical genius – completely putting together and executing a strategy that
will allow him to take on Superman properly and squarely, since obviously, power-wise,
Superman will never have any trouble kicking his butt.
→ The Internet hate has been great
on the casting of Ben Afleck as the new Batman.
Though he’s not my choice for the role, I’m willing to give him
the benefit of a doubt, giving him a chance.
Who knows, he might turn out great after all. Just like Michael Keaton. When Tim Burton casted Keaton as Batman, the
intensity of backlash from the fans was unparalleled; great was the hate and disapproval. There were even letter campaigns (that was
the days before the Internet) to remove the role from Keaton. Fans can’t picture Beetlejuice as Batman
(just like how fans now can’t picture Daredevil as Batman). But look how it turned out? Michael Keaton probably did the
greatest depiction of Batman in the big screen (Yeah, I pick Keaton over
Christian Bale as Batman. But Bale was a
better Bruce Wayne). Same thing happened
when Heath Ledger got the role for the Joker, the Internet raged with fan displeasure. But, again, see how that turned out? Ledger was able to deliver a powerful,
captivating reinvention of Joker. So
Afleck might suck in the end after all, but for now, based on history, I prefer
to go on “wait-and-see” mode.
→ The rationale for Afleck’s casting
is the story requires an older, tired Batman.
I’m not so sure about this, since I’ve always known Batman and Superman being
in the same age group. Still, Afleck is not
that “older” looking, so it’s not an issue.
→ My primary choice for the Batman role
has always been for Christian Bale to reprise it. Sure, Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy is
over – a concluded story that was never meant to be part of a larger “superhero
universe.” But Bale can play a new
Batman by merely never acknowledging the events in the Nolan Batmanverse ever happened. This would have given us a familiar Batman face, but it would be as if he is a different Batman character entirely. It also gives the illusion that the Dark Knight
Trilogy is loosely connected to the new Man
of Steel-spearheaded, shared DC Cinematic Universe.
→ Then, we learned that Wonder
Woman was going to be in this movie and Gal Gadot was cast for the role. Like with Afleck’s casting, I am not hating with
Gadot’s casting. But, as of this point,
I’m not feeling it. Sure, Gadot has
proven to be hot and badass in the Fast
and the Furious movies, but Wonder Woman is not only hot and badass. She also has depth. Now, I love to see her be brought to life in
the big screen. But I have some doubts that
Gadot can pull it off properly.
 |
| I can’t picture the frail-looking, wiry Gadot as the amazon Wonder Woman. |
 |
| In terms of physique, the “actress” of Axel Braun’s Wonder Woman porn parody is more qualified than Gadot to play the role. |
→ Nonetheless, again,
I am not hating. At this point, I’m just not comfortable
of the casting. But I’ll give Ms. Gadot a chance. Besides, there is news that she is bulking up
for the role. Good for her. Moreover, she knows Krav Maga (no surprise
there, since she’s from Israel), and that has to count for something for Krav Maga is awesome.
→ Then rumor
began to circulate that a Justice League movie will be shot back-to-back. Whoa.
It means DC is rushing to catch up with Marvel’s Avengers, and I am
not really entirely sold that this is a good idea. I would definitely love to see a Justice
League movie. But I want it to be
epic. I don’t want the opportunity go to
waste. If DC will rush things, there’s a possibility that the quality might be sacrificed.
Moreover, this could also affect the quality of the Batman/Superman movie.
→ Another game-changing rumor, which is being fueled by the Internet and the Rock himself, is that Dwayne
“the Rock” Johnson will star as the Green Lantern, John Stewart. I would have infinitely preferred for Marvel to cast him as Luke Cage, but if it happened to be true that DC has already gotten
him on board to play John Stewart, then that is a casting I greatly applaud.
→ My preferred
Justice League movie line-up: Superman,
Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Aquaman,
Green Arrow, and Martian Manhunter.
 |
| Or they can go with the New 52’s “Super Seven” line-up. I’m also fine with that. |
→ I find it practical for DC to connect their TV universe to their movie
universe, thus, the Flash and Green Arrow characters that have been portrayed in
the Arrow TV show should be cast for
the roles
→ Man of Steel has made precedence that
the DC shared movie universe is going be more “realistic” and less “comic bookish.” I’m intrigued on how they are going to make
that work. Will it really be to their
advantage by going this route? The more
I think about it, the more I’m convinced that the mood the Man of Steel has set for DC’s cinematic universe might not be
proper after all. But it could still
work. (Maybe.) I just think it would have been easier for DC
if they had gone with the “comic bookish” route. Now they have to stick with the moody,
serious tone they have established, without being too much grim and cynical. Again, it could still work and might turn out
to be the brilliant approach after all.
But they have to be careful. It won’t be much fun if it gets too serious and angsty – too much negativity.
* * *
→ Meanwhile, in the comics… Lex
Luthor and Captain Cold are joining the Justice League!!! Based on the preview art above, the two
are in and their respective archenemies, Superman and Flash, are out. And it seems that Lex Luthor is going to be
the new leader (much to the disgust of Batman)!
In the current “Forever Evil” event – wherein the evil doppelgangers of
the Justice League that came from an alternate universe, the Crime Syndicate, have
annihilated the Justice League, conquered the world, and obtained the allegiance
of many DC supervillains – Luthor is leading a coalition made up of DC
supervillains, which includes Captain Cold, that have refused to concur with
the Crime Syndicate, along with Batman and Catwoman, to overthrow the Crime
Syndicate. So I guess Luthor and Captain Cold are likely going to be
significant contributors in defeating the Crime Syndicate, which will oblige their
undisputable memberships into the Justice League. I am not totally sold that this is a brilliant
development, but this is nonetheless extremely intriguing. It seems that this is going to be a lot of fun. The interactions, pissing matches, and unholy
alliance that are going to happen between Batman and Luthor alone make this
worthwhile.
→ Next to Peter Parker’s return, this is the comic book event I’m greatly looking forward to in April.
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