HEROES PROVIDE RENEWED HOPE

WONDER Woman whips the boys into heroic shape in this epic and actionpacked comic book spectacular.

Fresh from her own blockbuster success, the Amazonian princess joins Ben Affleck’s Batman in recruiting Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman to save the world. Despited 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 Barry Allen aka The Flash. This superior addition to the DC cinematic universe follows on from last year’s overlong and doom-laden Batman vs 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 ancient three cuboid power sources, which he plans to use to destroy the Earth.

Picking up speed after a clunky opening, there’s a reduction in the series’ grim bombastic mood, overriding it with plenty of optimism and a greater sense of fun.

There’s a change of emphasis from tortured martyrdom to a more crowd pleasing and uplifting tone. Despite production difficulties, a consistent vision has been adhered to throughout the trio of films from Man of Steel to Batman vs Superman and then Justice League.

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’ 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.