“Justice League” (Action/Adventure: 2 hours)

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa

Director: Zack Snyder

Rated: PG-13 (Violence)

 

Movie Review: The Justice League is a group of superheroes who fight evil on planet Earth and its neighborhood. The DC movies lag behind the Marvel movies. The DC movies appear dark in nature and in cinematography. The scripts for the DC characters create back-stories for their superheroes, the personas are still lacking. They are never fully convincing. 

When new threat Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) arrives to reshape Earth in his image, Bruce Wayne (Affleck), who is the caped crusader Batman, and Diana Prince (Gadot) gather a select group of superheroes to combat Steppenwolf and his army. The task will not be easy as some team members do not see a need to merge as a team. Eventually, they must put their differences aside to save Earth and restore humanity’s hope.

“Justice League’s” greatest problem is a script that develops its characters in a tedious manner. The movie has multiple characters. Its greatest flaw is it tries to develop background stories for them all. Such an effort is unneeded for the plot to work.

Even more, the story is convoluted. It has too many substories, trying to develop its cast. The efforts are lackluster. The story also tries to merge several concepts, some of which go unanswered.

Zack Snyder (“300,” 2006; ” Man of Steel,” 2013) is big on action, but he knows little when it comes to developing his characters. His movies spend too much time on action sequences while resolving little. Several scenes end too quickly, leaving audiences to ponder what happened.

The action may be good, but no follow though exists to allow audiences a chance to revel in the moments. Again, the fault is a story element by writers Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon. Both men have written better screenplays. The noteworthy include Terrio’s “Argo” (2012) and Whedon’s “The Avengers” (2012).

Grade: C (The League did not bring out its all-star talent.)

“Wonder” (Drama/Comedy: 1 hour, 53 minutes)

Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Rated: PG (Violence, mild language, thematic elements, including bullying)

 

Movie Review: As advertised, “Wonder” is the feel-good movie of the year. It will make audiences laugh and cry while inspiring. It is a well-acted piece, especially from the young actors, based on the novel by R.J. Palacio. 

“Wonder” exists on the premise that “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” Wayne W. Dyer’s quotation resonates throughout as a theme that guides the movie following August “Auggie” Pullman (Jacob Tremblay). Auggie was born with Treacher Collins syndrome. He enters fifth grade, his first time in public without his parents and with his face showing. Auggie’s life with children will not be easy, but the 10-year-old boy has an impressionable spirit.

Jacob Tremblay is an exceptional actor. He recently starred in the acclaimed “Room” (2015) and “The Book of Henry” (2017). He is the core of this movie. His performance is sound. He and the other younger cast members, particularly Izabela Vidovic, Noah Jupe and Millie Davis, are topnotch.

Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin and other adults are moving also. They are really supporting characters. They play second fiddle to dynamic kids.

“Wonder” is director Stephen Chbosky’s third movie. His last movie was “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012), a nicely done production based on his book. The writer-director knows how to construct movies so you like his characters. Chbosky is at his best when he focuses on Auggie and secondarily his sister. The movie loses focus when it weaves in other stories. These extras are nice but distracting infrequently.

However, Chbosky offers a nice movie that all family members can see. Auggie’s story inspires and offers audiences plenty this holiday season, an early gift.

Grade: B (Wonderful!)

“The Star” (Animation/Adventure/Comedy: 1 hour, 26 minutes)

Starring: Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key and Aidy Bryant

Director: Timothy Reckart

Rated: PG (Violence and thematic elements)

 

Movie Review: “The Star” is an adventure but it feels like something told many times. It is a retelling of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth from the Bible. The story is from the aspect of animals, particularly a donkey named Bo (Yeun), that were present. Even more, the tale portrays Bo and his friends as the unknown heroes who got Mary and Joseph to safety.

Apparently, humans and divine beings were only part of the story. Animals are a primary reason for Mary and Joseph’s travels to get to a safe place for Jesus’ birth. Sounds unlikely, but the movie’s goal is to attract young audiences, so the script is a comical adventure.

“The Star” entertains but it is not compelling. The writers take liberty with the biblical story, noted during the film’s conclusion, and creates a new rendition of the narrative. Artistic liberties are fine, when persuasive. That is not the case with this animated feature.

Grade: C (About two and a half stars …)