Justice League

Critics are panning it to the point that it's only 39% on RottenTomatoes as I write this.  Director Zach Snyder left when it was nearly done, and Joss Whedon stepped in to finish it.  It continued the look and dark feel of Batman v. Superman.  This movie has a lot going against it.

It is also a hot mess in many ways, from worse CGI than a movie of this magnitude should have, to achingly bad lines appearing at key moments, to the obviously tacked-on bits that Whedon included to make the film more fun and to give us more Gal Gadot.

I still enjoyed it.  In fact, I generally had a good time watching it, though I couldn't help but groan at some of the more painful bits. 

The reasons I enjoyed it are many.  I'm a sucker for superhero movies.  The heroes are fun even when they're dopey.  Batman and Superman and Wonder Woman are cultural icons with staying power for a reason.  Even when two of the three show few emotions beyond contempt and determination, we still have Gal Gadot's always charming and inspiring Wonder Woman.  The story moves right along.  The battle scenes are not as hectic as in its predecessor.  Most of the small bits of human drama are at least competently done by cast and directors alike.

Is it as good as Thor: Ragnarok?  Absolutely not.  Should Zach Snyder get to do another film in the DC universe?  Absolutely not. 

If you're in the mood for a superhero movie, though, you'll have at least a decent time with it, and, I have to admit, I'm almost always in the mood for a superhero movie.