The critics seemed to have had their knives sharpened in eager anticipation of a DC bloodbath. 

The troubled Justice League finally hits cinemas worldwide this Friday and the reviews have gleefully torn it apart. It currently holding a disappointing 48% aggregate on Rotten Tomatoes.

But is this fair? Are critics truly the best placed to judge a film and franchise that has always proclaimed it is made "for the fans"?

Even the fans have voiced reservations about Man of Steel, Batman V Superman and Suicide Squad, but one lifelong DC lover told Express Online he wanted to put his view across. He believes that Justice League does NOT deserve the roasting it is getting and, furthermore, he believes that it is a "spectacular" homecoming for Superman and a "triumphant" start to a new era in the DCEU.

He accepts that the film has its flaws but believes that the rush of one and two-star reviews are "petty" and "unacceptable" and show no understanding of what they have seen.

He believes it is time for the fans to speak.

Ray Gaywood attended the main Justice League press screening as my guest. I took him along because of his love and in depth knowledge of DC universe after four decades of reading and collecting comics and graphic novels. I wanted a serious "fan's-eye view" of the spectacle.

He said: "As a lifelong fan, it is truly a glorious time for all things super. I came into Justice League nervous but hopeful about what I would see. As someone with a great love of the comics I am so happy to say the League united in grand and deeply satisfying style. It left me with a huge smile on my face. 

"I truly don't understand why critics seem to fawn over every Marvel film but can't wait to destroy DC. I accept that the DCEU has struggled to find its tone, but it seems deeply unfair and subjective to be determined to find every fault and refuse to celebrate any successes.

"And, for the fans at least, this new Justice League movie truly has so many successes to celebrate. It's not a perfect film but the awful and biased reviews I have seen are just petty and blatantly unfair."

"Firstly, Superman returns in spectacular style with a great performance from Henry Cavill who here is finally able to be the Superman I always knew he could be. 

"Whilst there are many things I liked about Man of Steel and BVS, neither film fully did the character justice or allowed Cavill to truly show what he can do with the role beyond brooding. This is the main character in the DCEU but has been sidelined and suffocated too much by the movies.

"Cavill always brings a sense of dignity to the role but is finally allowed to show he can embody the hope that is at Superman's core. He also kicks some serious ass in a massively satifying scene that establishes once and for all why he is the greatest superhero of all."

JUSTICE LEAGUE: MORE BAD NEWS FOR SUPERMAN AND MAN OF STEEL 2 FANS?

"His chemistry with Amy Adams as Lois is tremendously touching and he also gets to show some welcome humour in later scenes. One of the two end-credit scenes is pure joy for any dedicated fan.

"This is the Superman I love. It seems now we have the Superman we deserve and this Superman needs a sequel!

"Wonder Woman continues to shine from her triumphant debut. Gal Gadot truly is Wonder Woman. 

"She has some competition, though..."

JUSTICE LEAGUE'S BIGGEST PROBLEM: YOU CAN BRING BACK SUPERMAN BUT HUMAN CLARK KENT IS STILL DEAD

"The Flash is an instant hit. Ezra Miller is sensational and manages to be both endearing and hilarious. I can't wait to see what he does next with the role.

"Going in to the movie, I wasn't sure how to feel about Jason Momoa's Aquaman, he is such a departure from the source material. Happily, Momoa's depiction is exhilarating and his brief exciting scene with a fantastic Amber Heard as Mera has suddenly made me much more enthusiastic about his upcoming solo movie." 

"The weaker points come with Cyborg and Batman who are both fine but are outshone by the rest of the team. Unfortunately there are also moments when Affleck simply feels like he doesn't want to be there any more.

"Perhaps it is time for another star to step into the Batcave?

JUSTICE LEAGUE: DC FAST TRACKING FLASHPOINT SPIN-OFF AS A "PRIORITY" - WILL THIS STAR REPLACE BEN AFFLECK AS BATMAN?

"The movie's main flaw is the villain. Steppenwolf is never quite threatening or evil enough.

"Maybe it's because there was such an outcry over all the death and destruction in Man of Steel, but this film has very little sense of danger, peril or consequence. Nobody dies on screen, there is no sense of unspeakable terror or tragic loss.

"Unfortunately this stops the film from ever feeling totally thrilling. Steppenwolf is supposed to be an ender of worlds but he feels unconvincing, petulant and completely unworthy of the build-up. A huge disappointment."

"Steppenwolf basically only seems to be there to serve as a reason to see the team come together and unite.

"This is done in a way that I think will satisfy fans. I believed in the building team dynamic and I loved watching it happen. I understood each of their motivations and enjoyed their banter. The tone and humour of the film is a welcome shift but still feels like it has its own style separate from anything Marvel is doing.

"I did not feel any jarring awareness between what was filmed by Zack Snyder or Joss Whedon.

"All I need now for the future is Green Lantern. It is seriously time for DC to get on with it and Unite the Seven.

"I truly hope the fans will speak and overcome any of the negative reviews that this film truly does not deserve."

JUSTICE LEAGUE IS OUT ON NOVEMBER 17