DC Extended Universe 15: Aquaman 2 [The Lost Kingdom]

DCEU 15: Aquaman 2 [The Lost Kingdom] (2023)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


DCU does not seem to be improving. Can't say I'm a fan of how they continue to paint Aquaman as a bit of a lumbering drunk while still trying to be a hero and king. Arthur must seek help from his brother Orm who is currently imprisoned. Meanwhile, the Atlantis council seems to block every opportunity for peace and coexistence while casting doubts on his rule and Black Mantis is back with even more deadly power backing him to cause trouble for both land and sea. While there is technically still a bit of family infighting given the king behind Black Mantis' power is their own ancestor's brother, Arthur's immediate family has a bit of a turning point and several realizations along this journey that hopefully will mean further improvements in the future. 

DC Extended Universe 14: Blue Beetle

DCEU 14: Blue Beetle (2023)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Jaime Reyes is just trying to get a job to help his family keep their house. His family are a group of odd-balls and conspiracy theorists who love to egg each other on. When he is charged with protecting the scarab, of course they get him to open the box, resulting in actually handling it and being chosen to be it's symbiotic host as the new Blue Beetle. There's no time to learn though Victoria Kord is convinced the scarab holds the key to her ultimate weapon, leading to the success and recognition she craves. She doesn't care who she has to destroy along the way to get what she wants. The Reyes family are a tight knit group though, and with a little help from Victoria's niece, Jenny Kord, who does not agree with using her father's legacy to create weapons, they might have a chance to turn things around. The movie itself is an odd mix of humor, trying to be action, and copying from other films (anyone else recognize that trunk jingle at the beginning reminiscent of Ant-Man?). A good portion of the movie is also in Spanish, so hope you don't mind subtitles. While it's okay overall, and I'm glad we saw it at least once so we won't be lost in later movies if they tie all together, can't say this one really rates too high or is likely to be repeated any time soon.

DC Extended Universe 13: The Flash

DCEU 13: The Flash (2023)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Well, technically we had the Arrowverse first, then MCU debuted the Multiverse, and now we have specifically the multiverse referenced here in this movie for the DCEU. Barry wants his mom back, however, it's not as simple as just saving one person and the timeline remains intact. Through a series of misadventures and unfortunately events, Barry is reminded what it's like not to be the Flash and has to watch as the world has changed and falls apart around him while he's helpless to do anything to help.... or is he? Have to admit, I'm still partial to the previous Flash from the Arrowverse rather than this awkward one from the movies. We get several different Batmans, and even some flashbacks to previous Batman and Superman series.

DC Extended Universe 12: Shazam! 2 [Fury of the Gods]

DCEU 12: Shazam! 2 [Fury of the Gods] (2023)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Surprisingly, despite all of the immature chaos and lack of cohesion, this is one of the better DCEU films recently. Billy and his family are still very awkward, but they learn some big lessons in this addition to the series and really come together as an actual family. Billy even sort of gets his wish with Wonder Woman stepping in at the end. A tad confusing though with the reference to no other gods and both the Justice League and the Justice Society, and yet no one seems to have a clue about Black Adam, even though he has the same power as Shazam. Convenient plot whole so they could bring in Wonder Woman or something else? They even give a nod to the MCU in the end there with the "Avenger's Society".

DC Extended Universe 11: Black Adam

DCEU 11: Black Adam (2022)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This plays a bit off of Shazam, which anyone will recognize with the lightning symbol and the power phrase. Unlike the more comedic version, this one is a bit darker however, which the name "Black Adam" may indicate. There's a whole history with magicians and demons, slavery and power, and lots of death. Black Adam isn't your usual hero. Some don't consider him a hero at all. But it seems he's just the sort of hero the people of his country need, even if the Justice Society isn't as quick to agree. Those who have followed the DCU may also recognize a certain government agent from the previous movie, The Suicide Squad.

DC Extended Universe 10: The Suicide Squad

DCEU 10: The Suicide Squad (2021)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


While this is the sequel to Suicide Squad, apparently adding "The" to the title is supposed to be enough of a difference to tell the two movies apart at a glance. Realistically though, this is just as much of a cluster as the first one was. This particular group clearly is not to my taste in the comic universes. While there are pieces that add humor, the overall movie is haphazard, gory, and vulgar. Not my cup of tea at all.

DC Extended Universe 9: Wonder Woman 2 [1984]

DCEU 9: Wonder Woman 2 [1984] (2020)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Diana has to make some hard choices as she comes up against what her purpose in life really is and how her desires weigh into the cost not just for herself, but for the rest of the world, too. She'll have to convince not just Maxwell Lord and Cheetah, who help set everything in motion, but the rest of the world to put everything back to rights. Don't stop watching when the credits roll though, or you'll miss another easter egg from the Amazons. Though this comes out later in the series following the release order, it actually fits much earlier in the series if you're watching chronologically. 

DC Extended Universe 8: Birds of Prey & the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn

DCEU 8: Birds of Prey & the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is a rather odd movie, and the title is more than a mouthful. Harley Quinn joins up rather oddly with a strange gang of misfits, every single one of them female. There seems to be a never ending slew of trouble and people they've gotten in deep with. Harley doesn't have to be with the Joker to still be a little crazy.... but then she did willingly follow Joker into the acid bath that twisted her brain even further to match his. It's good for a few laughs, but still leaves you wondering what exactly you just watched, too.

DC Extended Universe 7: Shazam!

DCEU 7: Shazam! (2019)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


There wasn't anything overly thrilling or exciting in this movie. If anything, the main character comes off as very awkward and a little obsessed. Borders almost on a drama/comedy scale than an action scale for a superhero movie. Also lighter than a lot of the other DC hero moves tend to be. Didn't expect much of the movie since we heard a lot of negative reviews beforehand, but being part of the DC Universe, still felt like we needed to give it a chance and hopefully also be able to see how it ties in to the rest of the universe building into the Justice League.

DC Extended Universe 6: Aquaman

DCEU 6: Aquaman (2018)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Admittedly, it took me much longer to see this than it maybe should have. Haven't been as excited about the DC Universe new releases, though Aquaman does appear to be one of the better ones. Despite the frequent flashbacks, rather forced denial, and more than a little bit of predictability even if you didn't know the original comics at all, the movie was overall well made and performed. I started it thinking that it was already late and I might need to pause and finish the next night after work. Ended it glad that I'd finally sat down to watch it and enjoyed the story all on the same night.

DC Extended Universe 3: Suicide Squad

DCEU 3: Suicide Squad (2016)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This is one of the most disjointed movies I've seen. We see brief glimpses of the actual heroes (Batman, Flash, Superman) when villains are originally apprehended. While those glimpses are consistent with the other movies in this segment, it seems an odd add on when the rest of the movie focuses solely on the villains (even if they are technically working for the "good guys" this time around). In the end, I'm really not sure what purpose this film was supposed to have in the overall lineup. Hopefully it'll come through in the future, because right now it's just the strangest cluster I've seen in a very long time.

DC Extended Universe 5: Justice League

DCEU 5: Justice League (2017)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this movie despite being a little put off right off the bat that they did not keep iconic characters the same as already established (like the Flash) similar to how the MCU merges their movie and TV line-ups. DC is going an entirely different route and intentionally trying to keep the two separate. Don't know how that will work for them long term, as it currently seems like a good way to lose some of the fans who might only tune in because they love those established series already. Other than being a different actor, The Flash comes off as being severely unprepared and disjointed. His suite seriously looks like it's held together by elastic bands and is just beyond awkward. Superman's resurrection was also done differently, though we all knew it had to be coming with the prior foreshadowing and knowing he's a big part of the JL from all the promotional stuff, let alone anyone knowing the original comics. I can't say it's my favorite superhero movie, but I can say I enjoyed it for the film it is. I'm not sure yet, given how knew it is comparatively speaking, the DCEU measures up to creating their own universe and connecting the movies along the way. They have potential. There will need to be more installments, and likely another JL movie before that can really be determined.

DC Extended Universe 4: Wonder Woman

DCEU 4: Wonder Woman (2017)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Diana/Wonder Woman has been one of the long standing icons of the JLA for as long as I can remember. She is also often overlooked when it comes to live action movies. This was a fun and action packed film that covers her life with the Amazons, training, and initial integration into human society. A little naive, there is a lot to learn about this world outside the Amazon's hidden island. While there is an overall good feel to the end of the movie, it can't be said that Diana gets a "happily ever after" like many films focus on. Rather, she seems to use sadness and loss to help temper her power and learn about herself. Admirable in the end, though any DC Universe fan knows she ends up the hero, not the villain.

DC Extended Universe 2: Batman v Superman [Dawn of Justice]

DCEU 2: Batman v Superman [Dawn of Justice] (2016)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This does not start out like your usual film for either hero. Batman comes across as more violent, not minding killing and branding to get his message across. Superman is trying to do good, but is framed for various violent and murderous deeds, leaving him wanted for justice by the U.S. courts and other portions of the world all asking how/to whom Superman is accountable. This and the deaths resulting from Superman's battle in Man of Steel. Batman lets his fear of the unknown push him to nearly become the villain, nearly killing Superman himself before a plea to help save someone (conveniently sharing his late mother's name) snaps him out of it and the first glimpse of the JLA is born. Wonder Woman makes a brief cameo and converses with Bruce at Clark's funeral. Thankfully from the teasers at the end, the closed casket won't be staying that way for long. It seemed rather surreal that they would kill Superman with Doomsday just as they were starting the foundation for the JLA series. It will be interesting to see how exactly they engineer his return and what kind of commotion that is going to cause on top of his already god-like references that were being tossed around before his "death."

DC Extended Universe 1: Man of Steel

DCEU 1: Man of Steel (2013)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this re-launch. The movie starts out with a new twist on Superman's beginning and actually starts with his birth on Krypton. Louise isn't the clueless and helpless damsel in distress when it comes to Superman. Rather, she digs up Clark's identity before he himself is sure of who he'll be to the public, helping cement his place as one of the "good guys" when Zod shows up and the fists start flying. They may have gone a little overboard with the Kryptonian fights, but did a really good job of making it more involved than the previous attempts while clearly showing Clark's struggle as he tries to help the soldiers and determine exactly what he's going to stand for, proving through actions far more than words that he's there for the right reasons. Also must admit that the new uniform is big step up from the original, though it does still sport the traditional colors and the cape may be a little more extravagant than necessary. Guess it just adds to the drama with those silhouette shots that have the cape billowing behind him.