At the movies: Superhero showdown opens in theaters
The best of the best in the DC comic world is joining forces in a movie new to theaters this weekend.
The visionary behind “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Zack Snyder, is at it again with his next DC film, “Justice League.”
Following the events of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck, “Argo” and “Good Will Hunting” has faith in the very humanity he protects. He needs as much help as he can get to confront the chaos that threatens the world as he knows it — Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds, “Frozen” and “Road to Perdition”).
That help comes in the form of Superman (Henry Cavill, “Man of Steel” and “Immortals”), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot, “Furious 7” and “Keeping Up with the Joneses”), The Flash (Ezra Miller, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”), Aquaman (Jason Momoa, “Game of Thrones” and “Conan the Barbarian”) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”). Fan favorites like Lois Lane (Amy Adams, “Arrival” and “American Hustle”), Martha Kent (Diane Lane, “Inside Out” and “Unfaithful”), Commissioner Gordon (J.K. Simmons, “Spider-Man” and “Whiplash”), Lex Luther (Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network” and “Zombieland”) and Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons, “The Lion King” and “Die Hard with a Vengeance”) aid — and hinder — the Justice League.
According to the media review website, RottenTomatoes.com, 99 percent of users want to see “Justice League.”
Though reviews of the film are sparse, Brandon Katz did note for Observer after a screening in September that it will be interesting to see what happens on screen, as there were some hiccups behind it.
“‘Justice League’ has undergone some major shakeups behind the scenes. Back in May, [Snyder] left the project midway following the tragic death of his daughter. He was replaced by ‘Avengers’ filmmaker Joss Whedon, who reportedly oversaw extensive reshoots,” Katz wrote.
“Will the final product come off as a hodgepodge of dueling tones and styles or will all the different moving parts coalesce into a worthy superhero showdown?” Katz asked.
The film is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action.
Other movies that are arriving in theaters this weekend include:
n “Wonder” featuring Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson and Mandy Patinkin, directed by Stephen Chbosky, follows a young boy entering public schools and overcoming facial differences.
The film is rated PG.
n “Star” featuring the voices of Steven Yeun, Kristin Chenoweth, Zachary Levi and Gina Rogriguez, directed by Timothy Reckart, is an animated feature about a donkey and his friends at the first Christmas.
The film is rated PG.
n “I Love You, Daddy” directed by Louis C.K., featuring Pamela Adlon, George Aloi, Rose Byrne and Louis C.K., follows a writer’s daughter and an older filmmaker with a past.
The film is listed as R.