What went wrong with Justice League? This question has been on the minds of many comic book fans and moviegoers since the release of the 2017 film. Despite having an ensemble cast of iconic superheroes and a talented director, the movie failed to live up to the expectations of its audience. In this article, we will explore the various factors that contributed to the film’s shortcomings and analyze what could have been done differently to make it a more successful venture.
The first and foremost issue with Justice League was its lack of character development. While the film did introduce audiences to some of the superheroes, such as Cyborg and Flash, it failed to delve into their backstories or establish a strong connection with the audience. This lack of character depth made it difficult for viewers to care about the characters’ struggles and motivations, ultimately leading to a disjointed narrative.
Another significant problem was the pacing of the film. Justice League was criticized for being overly long and convoluted, with a running time of nearly three hours. This excessive length caused the film to drag in certain parts, making it difficult for viewers to stay engaged. A more streamlined narrative and tighter editing could have helped to maintain the audience’s interest throughout the entire movie.
Furthermore, the chemistry between the actors was another factor that contributed to the film’s downfall. While some members of the ensemble cast, such as Ben Affleck’s Batman and Henry Cavill’s Superman, had great on-screen presence, others struggled to find their footing. The lack of chemistry between the characters made it challenging for the audience to invest in their relationships and alliances.
In addition to the acting and character development issues, the film’s direction and visual effects also played a role in its failure. Zack Snyder, who directed the first two Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice films, was unable to complete Justice League due to personal reasons. This led to a rushed production and a lack of cohesive vision for the film. The visual effects were also criticized for being inconsistent and overly stylized, detracting from the overall quality of the movie.
Moreover, the film’s marketing campaign and release strategy were questionable. Justice League was released in theaters just weeks after the release of Wonder Woman, which had been a critical and commercial success. This left Justice League struggling to capture the audience’s attention, as many viewers were still caught up in the excitement of the previous film. A more strategic release window and marketing campaign could have helped to boost the film’s box office performance.
In conclusion, what went wrong with Justice League can be attributed to a combination of factors, including lack of character development, pacing issues, poor chemistry between actors, subpar direction and visual effects, and a questionable marketing campaign. While the film did have its moments of excitement and intrigue, these shortcomings ultimately prevented it from becoming the epic superhero movie that fans had hoped for. For future installments in the DC Extended Universe, it is crucial for the filmmakers to address these issues and create a more cohesive and engaging narrative that will resonate with audiences worldwide.
