Law unto her own
JUSTICE LEAGUE Cert 12A Running time 120 minutes ★★★★
Wonder Woman whips the boys into heroes in this epic and action-packed comic book spectacular. Fresh from her own blockbuster success, the Amazonian Princess joins Ben Affleck’s Batman in recruiting The Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman to save the world.
Despite differing degrees of reluctance, they don’t stand a chance under the onslaught of Gal Gadot’s charm offensive. As the lasso of truth-wielding Wonder Woman, the actress is the team’s most valuable player, with Ezra Miller running her a close second as The Flash.
This superior final part to Henry Cavill’s Superman trilogy follows on from last year’s over-long and doom-laden Batman Versus Superman, which saw the death of the Man of Steel.
As the world mourns and turns to hopeless violence, a large horned monster descends at the head of an army of flying man-sized insectoid warriors.
Voiced by Ciaran Hinds, Steppenwolf is intent on seizing three ancient cuboid power sources with which he plans to destroy the Earth.
Picking up speed after a clunky opening, there’s a reduction in the series’ grim bombastic mood which is overridden with plenty of optimism and a greater sense of fun. There’s also a change of emphasis from tortured martyrdom to a more crowdpleasing and uplifting tone.
Despite production difficulties, a consistent vision has been adhered to throughout the three films. Characters have developed and matured, ideas of duty and sacrifice have been explored, and it goes out with a bang.
Always visually spectacular, the dark palette of previous films is punched up with colour, while John Williams’ famous original 1978 Superman score is sampled. It sends tingles down the spine, and signals a new dawn for truth and justice.
In this determinedly inclusive adventure, unity is urged at every opportunity. However, Wonder Woman is the star of the show and very much remains in a league of her own.