If you are a fan of DC superheroes, you might have heard of the long-awaited “Snyder Cut” of Justice League, the 2017 film that brought together Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash. The original version was directed by Zack Snyder, but he had to step down during post-production due to a family tragedy. Joss Whedon took over and reshoot most of the film, resulting in a shorter, lighter, and less coherent version that disappointed many fans and critics.
But after years of campaigning and petitioning, the fans finally got their wish: Zack Snyder’s Justice League was released on HBO Max on March 18, 2021. This version is four hours long and restores Snyder’s original vision for the film. It also adds new scenes, characters, and storylines that were cut or changed in the theatrical release. The result is a darker, deeper, and more epic film that satisfies the fans who willed it into existence.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League follows the same basic plot as the original: after the death of Superman (Henry Cavill), Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) recruit a team of metahumans to stop an alien invasion led by Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), who seeks to collect three powerful artifacts called Mother Boxes. Along the way, they encounter Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and The Flash (Ezra Miller), who join them in their quest to save the world.
But this version expands on the characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and arcs. Cyborg gets the most attention, as his origin story and relationship with his father are explored in depth. He also plays a crucial role in the final battle, as he is the only one who can interface with the Mother Boxes. The Flash also gets more screen time and development, as he showcases his speed force abilities and saves more than one life. Aquaman gets more context for his role in Atlantis and his connection to Mera (Amber Heard). Wonder Woman gets more action scenes and a stronger bond with Batman. And Superman gets a more emotional resurrection and a new black suit.
The film also introduces new characters that were absent or barely seen in the original. The most notable ones are Darkseid (Ray Porter), the supreme ruler of Apokolips and the mastermind behind Steppenwolf’s invasion; Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix), a shape-shifting alien who has been hiding on Earth for decades; and Jared Leto’s Joker, who appears in a dystopian nightmare sequence that hints at a possible future where Darkseid has conquered Earth.
The film also changes some of the tone, style, and aesthetics of the original. The humor is toned down and the drama is heightened. The color palette is more muted and desaturated. The aspect ratio is 4:3 instead of widescreen, giving the film a more vertical and symmetrical look. The music score by Junkie XL is more bombastic and operatic than Danny Elfman’s. And the action scenes are more violent and brutal, earning the film an R rating.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is not a perfect film. It is still too long, too slow, too self-indulgent, and too convoluted for some viewers. It also suffers from some inconsistent CGI, some cheesy dialogue, some questionable choices, and some unresolved threads. But it is undeniably a better film than the original. It is more faithful to the source material, more respectful to the characters, more ambitious in its scope, and more satisfying in its execution. It is a film that deserves to be seen by fans of DC comics and Zack Snyder alike.
You can watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max or rent it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu. You can also watch the trailer below or visit the IMDB page for more information.
