My son and I watched it last weekend and I’m still processing just how good this was. So much so that while I want to do a post breaking down all my thoughts about it, it will probably be a long one. Possibly more than one post. And seriously filled with spoilers. So while that’s developing in my head and notes I did want to say something right away.
This movie is absolutely fantastic.
Does it have faults? Sure. It’s 4 hours long. How could it not have some slip in? However, the time flies because of how good it is so, really, not a problem.
It’s also an epic story that deserves all the time it gets. It does something that many sequels don’t. It completes both the story of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman in ways that are unexpected but needed. And makes one think why didn’t I see all that before?
Honestly, in terms of superhero movies, it may be the best thing I’ve ever seen. Anywhere. Ever.
I think the main thing is that Zack Synder understands DC superheroes in ways that so many don’t seem to. DC superheros, particularly the core group that makes up the Justice League most of the time, are supposed to be the modern equivalents of a mythological pantheon like the ancient gods.
They are not a bunch of basically regular people that end up running around with superpowers. Or that mutate into something.
Ahem, Marvel Comics.
Are there some superheroes in the DC universe who are regular guys/gals? Sure. But not the core of the Justice League. There you have modern variations of the basic Greek/Roman god pantheon:
- sky/sun – Superman (Zeus/Jupiter)
- underworld – Batman (Hades/Pluto)
- sea – Aquaman (Poseidon/Neptune)
- war – Wonder Woman (Ares/Mars)
- messenger & herald – Flash (Hermes/Mercury)
There is one, though, that I’d never actually thought about in terms of the pantheon. Maybe because he’s a relative newcomer. Or simply that he was just there.
Until this movie experience. And it is an experience.
Now I see that Cyborg is a modern – very modern – version of a god like Hephaestus/Vulcan, the Greek/Roman god of fire and metalworking. The blacksmith of the gods. The one who made and controlled their weapons.
And that revelation is all because of this movie. It finally manages to elevate Cyborg to the main pantheon in my head. That alone is an achievement.
By comparison the first movie version completely ignores Cyborg’s story. Omits. Guts. Grrrr.
So, is this one good? Oh, yeah. I’d say so.