Justice League (2017)

Let’s talk about Superman’s mouth. Something is going on with Henry Cavill’s upper lip in this movie, and it looks like the computer is still buffering. That’s the cleanest summary of Justice League: a reported $300 million budget and it still looks unfinished. Steppenwolf is a CGI horn helmet hunting magic boxes, and nobody, Steppenwolf included, seems to care why. The tone flips between gloomy and jokey scene to scene, like two different movies fighting over the remote. The Flash gets the jokes, Aquaman gets the swagger, Cyborg barely gets a scene, and Ben Affleck’s Batman plays like a guy counting down to retirement. Gal Gadot is the only one who seems sure what movie she’s in. $661.3 million worldwide sounds big until you remember the price tag. A 3.6 because six heroes walked in and nobody walked out with a story. $4,421 says you rewind the first Superman close-up just to stare at his lip.

What works: The Flash’s jokes land now and then, Aquaman brings swagger, and Wonder Woman is solid every time she’s on screen.

What doesn’t: The villain is a forgettable CGI blur, the tone can’t decide between gloomy and goofy, and the effects look unfinished for the money.

Who it’s for: DC completists who need to see all six heroes in one room at least once.