‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Review: Victorious in More Ways than One

Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘s epic depiction of DC heroes, clear character arcs for each member of the Justice League, heart and the right usage of humor throughout the 4-hour runtime allows Zack Snyder’s operatic superhero team-up film to stand alongside Man of Steel, Shazam! and Wonder Woman as the best in the DCEU (I don’t know what else to call the universe at this point).

The four-hour runtime is used for the characters and the film’s benefit as a whole. None of the scenes feel rushed or clipped. Each character is given room to breathe allowing the fantastic cast to dive into these roles in a manner that the theatrical cut simply couldn’t due to the 2-hour mandate.

Snyder’s use of slow-motion in the action scenes and visual fair provides an epic tapestry for these god-like heroes. Joss Whedon, who directed the theatrical cut, has a gift for fast-paced dialogue with ample amounts of humor, but he is completely outmatched by Snyder when it comes to visuals and crafting impactful action sequences.

The film isn’t without fault. You could easily cut the opening 20 minutes of the film to 10 minutes and you wouldn’t lose any of the important character moments. Part 7 is the worst part of the film and adds nothing to the experience. If you’re a fan of Snyder’s films, like I am, the epilogue offers a tantalizing look at a Justice League sequel that’s more than likely never going to happen. There’s a superhero cameo in the film, which almost undercuts a phenomenal scene between Lois Lane and Martha Kent.

Alongside Superman & Lois, Zack Snyder’s Justice League revitalizes Superman in more ways than one. Barry Allen aka The Flash and Victor Stone aka Cyborg are completely different characters from the theatrical cut. Steppenwolf’s quest and the film’s plot are essentially the same as the theatrical cut. However, Steppenwolf’s motivation is different and the inclusion of Darkseid (nonexistent in the theatrical) helps us understand why Steppenwolf is the right villain for this film.

With the overview out of the way, lets dive deeper into the character journeys, themes and more. Zack Snyder’s Justice League is available on HBO Max.

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Steppenwolf, Darkseid and Motherboxes

The plot isn’t too different from Avengers or Lord of the Rings. After the death of Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the mother boxes awaken and Steppenwolf arrives on earth. There are three mother boxes. One under the protection of the Amazonians, another by the Atlanteans and one possessed by Silas Stone.

Steppenwolf’s motivation for getting the boxes is different from the theatrical cut. He’s trying to atone for betraying Darkseid by obtaining the mother boxes. While not a revolutionary villain by any means, Steppenwolf does succeed in being a force that allows the heroes to come together.

The Strategist in Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Ben Affleck delivers his best performance as Bruce Wayne in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. He provides Bruce with an optimistic streak that serves him well as the leader. Bruce doesn’t squabble with Diana by bringing up Steve Trevor. In fact, when the discussion of bringing back Superman is brought up he brings up the potential risk involved in activating the mother box, which underscores his leadership skills.

When the other members of the league have moments of doubt, he provides the right words of motivation.

Victor Stone: It [the plane] wanted to fly. Flight is its nature

Bruce Wayne: Yours, too.

The exchanges between Bruce and Alfred, played to sardonic perfection by Jeremy Irons, are examples of the smaller character-building moments that Snyder and screenwriter Chris Terrio nail throughout the film. The strategic backbone of the Justice League is rounded out by Wonder Woman.

Amazons Have No Fear

Diana and Bruce are a true team in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. She provides the information about Darkseid and Steppenwolf to Bruce. Then the duo splits off to recruit other potential members. Bruce sets his sight on Barry Allen aka The Flash and Diana stays in Gotham to conduct research on Victor Stone aka Cyborg.

Diana is largely unchanged from the theatrical version with a couple of differences that are far better in Snyder’s uncompromised vision. First off, her first action scene in the museum is far more vicious and ends with a touching moment where she inspires a young girl to be whatever she wants to be. Why that moment was cut from the theatrical despite complaints that Snyder’s films don’t feature enough human moments or scenes that showcase the heroes saving people, I have no idea. Gal Gadot does a great job balancing the valiant warrior aspect with a graceful disposition that serves her well as the leader of the team alongside Bruce.

Also, Diana supports Bruce’s decision to resurrect Superman. There’s no dissension between them.

The Amazons on Themyscira are given far more to do in this film. The action set-piece on Themyscira does an outstanding job of showcasing his might as well as the bravery and skills of the Amazons.

The Heart of Zack Snyder’s Justice League

By far the biggest character changes from the theatrical version to Snyder’s is Cyborg and The Flash.

Ray Fisher is tremendous in this film. Cyborg’s introduction is fleshed out. After an accident that should have killed him, his father overcome by guilt, used a mother box to bring Victor back to life. Snyder doesn’t just show us the transformation. He takes a step back to show us the brilliance and talent Victor Stone had before the accident.

Snyder also adds an important family member to the mix. Elinore Stone, Victor’s mom, was absent in the theatrical version and plays an important role in Victor’s story. During a meeting with a Gotham University dean, we learn from Elinore, that Victor hacked into the school system to help another student pass her classes. Then we see Victor’s athletic ability on the football field, which is captured in an appropriately operatic fashion by Snyder. Victor’s father, Silas Stone, is absent from the stands. Elinore, being the faithful wife, defends Silas citing his father’s work as important. Victor retorts that his mom is busy too, but she still makes the time. Then the accident occurs. All of the pre-accident character building does a lot to explain what drives Victor and is a testament to what the accident has cost him as well.

Victor’s character building doesn’t stop at the accident. Once he become Cyborg, his hero journey takes a turn. He’s not just a robot, but as his father tells him, Victor is a digital god, not too dissimilar from Vision in the Marvel universe. He’s capable of accessing nuclear codes and financial markets with ease. In one of the most emotional scenes of the film, Victor gives a down-on-her-luck waitress money by transferring funds. The look of elation on the waitresses face and the small smile from Victor made the room very dusty.

This is the new template for how you build an effective origin story from scratch. Snyder is able to accomplish this in 20-30 minutes and he continues the character-building chapter in Part 3 with Barry Allen.

The Flash

Ezra Miller‘s Barry Allen still provides the youthful exuberance needed for Zack Snyder’s Justice League, but the humor fits so much better in this film. He may be the youngest member, but he’s very much a hero and doesn’t show the cowardice that was on display in the theatrical version. He doesn’t push people and run away.

Like Cyborg, a scene is added here showcasing Barry’s personality and his powers. He saves Iris West from becoming hamburger meat in a car wreck. Snyder’s use of slow-motion is a wonderful way to capture The Flash’s powers.

His scene in the films’s climax is one of the best superhero moment every captured. The scene features gorgeous visuals, a terrifying injury and Junkie XL‘s majestic score.

My final thought on Barry Allen is this. After the theatrical version of Justice League, I had no interest in seeing Miller’s interpretation of Barry Allen again. Following the Snyder Cut, I can’t wait to see this version of Barry Allen in Andy Muschietti’s The Flash coming next year.

The Protector of the Oceans

Arthur Curry’s character is pretty close to identical to the theatrical version. Curry is still the member of the league who is most against resurrecting Superman, but at least there’s not the weird lasso of truth moment.

Snyder does a great job threading in the conflict between the Amazon and Atlantean’s, which initially has Wonder Woman slightly distrustful of Aquaman. However, the two characters eventually find common ground.

Superman is Unimpressed in Zack Snyder’s Justice League

There isn’t too much of a build towards resurrecting Superman. Once Bruce, Diana, Arthur, Barry and Victor discover the mother boxes are change machines, they decide to use the box to bring Superman back. Only Arthur is completely opposed. Bruce does bring up the strategic downside of activating the mother boxes.

Once they resurrect Superman, the last son of Krypton squares off against the Justice League. The scene is a little longer and Lois isn’t used as a pawn by Bruce. The fact that she shows up during the conflict isn’t a coincidence. Throughout the film, Lois is shown visiting the Superman monument in Metropolis.

The moments between Clark, Lois and Martha on the farm are simply wonderful. There’s a great tear-inducing scene between Martha and Lois. Where they both discuss how each loved Clark as a person, not a symbol like the rest of the world does. Martha also encourages Lois to return to the living. The scene is slightly undercut by an unnecessary reveal.

Probably my favorite Superman scene in the film is when Clark returns to the Kryptonian ship. As he walks through the ship, he receives encouragement from Jonathan and Jor-El. He dons the black costume and takes flight to join the battle against Steppenwolf.

Epilogue

Part 7 of Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the weakest part of the film. The only scenes of use are those involving Silas Stone’s narration, Bruce buying the bank that foreclosed the Kent farm, Barry getting a job at a crime lab and Arthur hitting the road to reunite with his father, which sets up the events of 2018’s Aquaman. I also like the scene with Bruce, Alfred and Diana setting up the Hall of Justice.

However, everything else is completely meaningless to the story told in this film and doesn’t set up potential sequels that well either. The Knightmare sequence makes no sense. For one thing, Mera is a part of the scene, which is strange considering this is a dream Bruce is having and he’s never met Mera before.

Final Thought on Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is far better than the theatrical cut. There are multiple character arcs, impressive action and a truly evocative score from Junkie XL for those willing to devote 4 hours of their day to this epic project that is part-film, part-tv show.