This review was written on 3/23/2021.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League – My Thoughts
This was an epic film. The 4 hours went by so fast that it felt like a standard 2 hour film. Zack Snyder is a visionary filmmaker and has one of the most unique approaches to filmmaking. He is one of the filmmakers who seemingly pulls stills or images from comic books and graphic novels and present them in all of their glory. It truly was a break taking experience from start to finish and demolishes the 2017 movie that will forever be known as ‘Josstice League’. I truly regret giving that version a glowing review, knowing what we know now about the arduous journey Zack Snyder had to walk in order for his true vision to be realized. Here is a rundown of everything I loved about Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
- Much more character development – #IStandWithRayFisher
- It is vastly different from the 2017 movie – 20% of Zack Snyder’s was used in theatrical cut, but these same scenes are given more context, time to breathe and more depth. The beats are technically the same, but the choices in editing and shot composition help bolster Snyder’s vision. Plus, the action scenes are extended and feel more visceral and fast paced. This film earns its R-rating and then some.
- The 4:3 aspect ratio – A more complete view of the scenes, made for IMAX screens, which may happen one day once it is safe to do so.
- Steppenwolf is more of a threat and a tragic character – From the design of his armor (a living machine that attaches to his body) to his eyes, Steppenwolf is a stark contrast to the generic and less memorable villain.
- The score was incredible – Junkie XL’s original score was scrapped in place of Danny Elfman’s nostalgia inducing score. While it was cool to hear the iconic John Williams’ Superman theme and the classic Batman theme from the late 80s to mid 90s, Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s score for MOS, BVS were grandiose, stirring and are a part of my constant rotation of my Motivation playlist on Apple Music.
- Character cameos/revelations – A character that has been a part of Snyder’s DCEU trilogy is revealed and offered one of many jaw dropping moments. Another key character that will have some interaction with the Justice League is Ryan Choi, better known as The Atom. Two Green Lanterns make an appearance in this film, with one during the history lesson that shows the old gods, Amazonians, Atlanteans and humanity battle Uxas, before he becomes the OP Darkseid we all know and fear. A third would have appeared if not for WB vetoing his appearance since they have plans for the characters. I am 100% certain it was John Stewart, not Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds) as Snyder reveal that he shot a scene with an actor but we may not get a chance to see the footage, finished with VFX or otherwise.
- For Autumn – The #RTSC movement has been labeled toxic by WOKE media by placing this label on the majority of fans who spread a lot of goodwill while championing this cause. The #RTSC raised over $500,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a charity near and dear to Zack and Deborah Snyder. The Snyder family experienced an unfathomable loss when their daughter Autumn Snyder sadly took her own life while Zack was working on the film. Understandably, he and his wife/producing partner Deborah Snyder stepped down from production. The studio then brought in Joss Whedon, who for geek culture and fandom, was a god, creating Buffy The Vampire Slayer (tv series), Firefly, and was the director of the biggest landmark superhero film at the time, The Avengers. Due to his success, the studio execs at WB thought he was a perfect fit and using this as an opportunity to ‘fix the DCEU’, had Whedon retool the script and reshoot footage to match a more lighthearted tone. The result: a middling movie that was drastic shift in tone with questionable visual effects (mustache-gate, Steppenwolf) and gratuitous butt shots and innuendos (thirstiest reporter, Flash laying on the top of an unconscious Wonder Woman) that were created in, by all accounts, a toxic and unprofessional work environment. The rest when it comes to the studio’s indifference and inaction while allegations were being levied borders on comedic. Warner Bros has always been heralded as the film studio that respects the director’s vision and has cultivated a long standing relationship with some of the greatest filmmakers working today, including Christopher Nolan and Clint Eastwood. Yet, it took them the better part of 4 years to fund and release a cut of a film from a director whose two previous films (MOS, BVS) have grossed $1.5 billion dollars in the global box office. Being an aspiring filmmaker, I always wanted to work with WB if I ever had the opportunity to create and develop one of my screenplays into a feature film. While that dream still exists, it will have to manifest at another film studio. Hopefully WarnerMedia and AT&T will see reason and the potential billions of dollars they will make by restoring the Snyder-verse. If the DCEU is embracing the multiverse now, why can’t Snyder’s vision co-exist with the other films and television projects slated to arrive? #RestoreTheSnyderVerse
The Musings of an Average Guy 