Movie Review: Zack Snyder's Justice League

Zack Snyder’s Justice League seemed a pipe dream when the fan movement to release the Snyder Cut first started several years ago. Even when it became apparent that this version of the film would be released, it was not clear what exactly the viewing public would get. I’ll admit that I was one of those who thought the Snyder Cut was a myth and that any new version would be an amalgamation of Joss Whedon’s Justice League with some deleted scenes. I was wrong. This version of Justice League is noticeably different and, while it has flaws, is wholly superior to the version released in theaters in 2017. So, sit back and strap in as I go through this 4 hour marathon and break it down for you Nemesis style.

I think it’s fair to break this movie into four distinct parts. The first two hours, give or take ten minutes or so, is a slow burn. Most of what is presented is drama with the occasional smattering of superhero action mixed in. The second part of the film is roughly another hour long and it builds suspense while culminating in another action sequence and heartfelt denouement. The third part is pure superhero action. For my part I will say that this part of the film was 10/10 outstanding and I loved every minute of it. Finally, we have the epilogue of the film which is fascinating but presents it’s own problems.
Part one of the film combines the best and worst aspects of Zack Snyder and the way he tells stories. He spends quite a bit of time going in depth into the various characters and how they are coping with the death of Superman. As would be expected, Lois Lane is the character who is most emotionally affected. This character development is fine, better than fine actually, but Snyder has an annoying tendency to take moments (whether they be moments of action or drama) and milk them for all they are worth. I understand that Lois Lane is lonely, grieving and paying visits to Superman’s shrine because she doesn’t want to let him go. On the other hand, I don’t need shot after shot of her walking in the rain while maudlin music plays in the background. It can get old, fast. This is a theme throughout as Snyder takes an excellent musical score and beats it like dead horse, squeezing every last note for every ounce of melodrama he can get out of it.

Meanwhile, Snyder introduces us to the principal members of the Justice League AND provides us with some very good action sequences to break up the melodrama that dominates the first two hours of the film. The Wonder Woman sequence lets the audience know that this is not the Diana of Wonder Woman 84. Rather, this Wonder Woman is a force to be reckoned with and a warrior who will not hesitate in the face of an enemy. Bruce is on his quest to assuage his guilt and encounters Aquaman minus the atrocious “I hear you talk to fish” line from the theatrical release. Thank goodness. Flash and Cyborg each receive backstory and more depth, something that was sorely needed and should have been done in solo films before Justice League was released. Additionally, we get a vastly superior version of Steppenwolf’s attack on Paradise Island as well as his attack against the Atlanteans. In these two sequences Snyder teases the masterpiece which will be part three of the film.

Part two of the film begins with the united league, minus Superman, fighting Steppenwolf and his parademons in the tunnels below Gotham Harbor. This scene and the action therein are also greatly improved over the theatrical release. Additionally, Snyder has his finger on the fighting styles of the various members of the team. This is something I will go into when I examine the characters in detail. The rest of the second part focuses on the teams efforts to resurrect Superman. The dialogue and humor in this section of the film was much more organic than the original Justice League and it is here that Zack Snyder’s film really begins to separate itself from Whedon’s. There are moments of typical Snyder superhero deconstruction here but they fit with this version of the DC universe that he has imagined. This part of the film ends on Superman’s rebirth, defeat of the Justice League and his reunion with his mother in Smallville. That final part, the reunion, is excellently done and truly heartfelt. I was on the verge of tears as I watched Diane Lane’s Martha Kent hold her son and beckon Lois to join them in their embrace.

Part three of the film is almost entirely action and it is superior to anything the DCEU has ever done and, in my opinion, on part with the action in Avengers End Game. Superman seizes his legacy in this third act and, once again in my opinion, Snyder redeems himself and his vision of Supeman in several key scenes. Meanwhile, the fight between the league, Steppenwolf and his army is superb from start to finish. Make no mistake, this is still a Snyder film and this version of the DC universe is brutal, gritty and unforgiving. These heroes kill and kill often (with some exceptions). I don’t have a huge issue with this but I know many who do. To those who criticize this darker version of DC’s heroes I’d say that we, fans, must be willing to allow for artistic vision as long as it stays within the paramaters of the characters in question. In my opinion, Snyder has done just that though I understand those who feel Snyder has gone too far.

Finally, there is the epilogue of the film. The epilogue was especially good right up until Snyder decided to throw in his Knightmare vision of the future which would have featured in Justice League 2. The actual epilogue featuring the voice-over of Silas Stone was very effective, put a nice bow on the story and book-ended the incredible arc that Cyborg (Ray Fisher) has in this version of the film. The Knightmare sequence and the end scene that follows is a direct shot at Warner Bros and has already created a headached for that studio. Snyder has made noises that he is not interested in directing anymore superhero films. However, the sequence in question and the introduction of Martian Manhunter to Bruce Wayne clearly begs the question, when are we getting more of this? Snyder fans are already clamoring to restore the Snyderverse. I’m intrigued as well and so WB must decide what to do with this version of the film which was originally dead, rose again and now threatens to spawn its own slate of films.

All things considered, this version of Justice League is vastly superior to the one that was released in theaters. I found it interesting that the film is in 4:3 aspect and have come to understand that it was originally intended for an IMAX release. Much of the cinematography is beautiful and, while I wish that Snyder would take the time to bring more color saturation to his photography, this film was much easier to look at than some of his earlier work in the DCEU.

I believe that Snyder does an admirable job with the characters in the film while I still have problems with the costume design for many of them, specifically Flash and Steppenwolf. Additionally, I truly wish that Darkseid and Steppenwolf had been rendered in color tones that didn’t resemble gray mud. I have not understood many of the design decisions on Snyder’s DC films starting with Man of Steel and including this film.

All of that said, I think Snyder captured the essence of several of the heroes in ways that surprised me. I’m still not a fan of Ezra Miller as Flash for instance. However, I see this version of Flash becoming a hero instead of the coward he was in the Whedon film. Additionally, this Flash fights like the Flash which he most decidedly did not in the Whedon film. I like my Wonder Woman to be a warrior princess of a warrior people and she is most certainly that in this film. Her final message to Steppenwolf and Darkseid is proof positive of that. This movie also did an admirable job with Atlantis and would have been a fine introduction to the Aquaman solo movie we eventually got. Superman embodies hope and protection in the third act and I think the Superman of Man of Steel is redeemed in this film. Cyborg is actually realized in this movie and I enjoyed what Ray Fisher brought to the role. He was critical to the film and I can’t understand why so much of his story was cut from the original. Finally, there is Bruce Wayne/Batman. I’ve seen many people joke about the role of Batman in a Justice League film but I think he held his own admirably, especially in the fight sequence at the end. Is he going to go toe to toe with Steppenwolf? Lord no. However, his ability to fight and persevere against overwhelming odds is on full display and this film proves once again that Batfleck action sequences are definitive for the live action version of the character.

I recommend this film to anyone who is fan of DC, the DCEU, Justice League, superhero movies or Zack Snyder. It is not the end all be all that some claim nor is it the mess that others claim. What it is is the completed vision of Snyder and an enjoyable film that is worth experiencing.

Acting – 4 of 5 Stars
Cinematography – 4 of 5 Stars
Music – 3.5 of 5 Stars
Story – 3.75 of 5 Stars
Effects – 4.25 of 5 Stars
Superhero Value – 4.5 of 5 Stars

Overall Score – 4 of 5 Stars

Directed by Zack Snyder
Produced by Deborah Snyder
Writing by Zach Snyder and Chris Terrio
Cinematography by Fabian Wagner
Music by Junkie XL
Released by Warner Bros and HBO Max

Starring
Henry Cavill – Superman/Kal El
Ben Afleck – Bruce Wayne/Batman
Ray Fisher – Cyborg/Vic Stone
Gal Gadot – Diana/Wonder Woman
Jason Momoa – Arther/Aquaman
Ezra Miller – Barry Allen/Flash
Jeremy Irons – Alfred Pennyworth
Amy Adams – Lois Lane
William Dafoe – Vulko
Amber Heard – Mera
Jesse Eisenberg – Lex Luthro
Diane Lane – Martha Kent
Connie Nielsen – Queen Hippolyta
JK Simmons – Commissioner Gordon
Ciaran Hinds – Steppenwolf

Author Profile

Nemesis

Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.

He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.