Zack Snyder’s Justice League is currently streaming on HBO Max. Unlike the theatrical cut, The Snyder Cut received positive reviews from critics, fans and streamers alike.
As you may know, may fans demanded Zack Snyder’s cut under the hashtag #ReleaseTheSnyderCut after they saw Joss Whedon’s reshoots butchered Zack’s movie behind his back when he was mourning his late daughter Autumn. Joss was unprofessional with The Cast, particularly Ray Fisher. Joss is also in hot water for workplace harassment on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” Some sources say he wasn’t allowed to be alone with Michelle Trachtenberg who was a underage at the time. I don’t know what he did, but he hasn’t apologized to anybody. I think he’s a jackoff in real life like disgraced filmmaker Brett Ratner. A homophobic dick stain.
I have a confession, I thought Joss’ reshoots were decent. I did a review on it immediately after watching it on the big screen. Upon rewatching the movie, I realized how bad it was. I’m changing my grade from an A- to D- for studio interference and tarnishing an artist’s work without telling him.
This review contains SPOILERS. If you’ve already seen the theatrical cut, you’re clear to read this article. Is The Snyder Cut a massive improvement? Let’s get down to business.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher & Ezra Miller reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen Robin Wright, Joe Morton, David Thewlis & Jeremy Irons also reprise their roles and they all did a decent job for their respective performances.
Jared Leto, Harry Lennox, Zheng Kai, Kiersey Clemons, Ray Porter & Willem Dafoe are in The Snyder Cut. They all did a great job for their respective performances. Jared’s performance as Joker is a drastic improvement.
In both the theatrical cut and The Snyder Cut, Ciarán Hinds, Amber Heard, (a big fat meanie in real life) Billy Crudup, Joe Manganiello & J.K. Simmons all did a great job for their respective performances.
Russell Crowe & Kevin Costner’s voices as Jor-El & Jonathan Kent are heard when Superman enters The Fortress Of Solitude.
Zack Snyder did an awesome job directing his vision. He was better than Joss Whedon’s atrocious reshoots.
Christopher Nolan (my idol and favorite filmmaker) & Emma Thomas served as executive producers of the film. Despite his negative comments on HBO Max, Chris restored Zack’s vision. Talk about true friendship.
Action Sequences are high octane with Team battling Steppenwolf’s parademons. Whenever they engage in combat, it becomes the video game series “Mass Effect.” Seeing The Batmobile in action makes me wanna replay “Batman: Arkham Knight.”
Chemistry between the members of the titular team serve as the main highlight. Each one is distinctive.
Visual Effects have drastically improved. They felt real toning down the red filter from the climatic battle.
Cinematography was shot perfectly. Again, there’s no red filter in the climatic battle.
Junkie XL (Mad Max: Fury Road, Deadpool) orchestrated the music replacing Danny Elfman’s score from the theatrical cut.
The Tone is a serious take on Justice League.
Despite being serious, The Flash provides comic relief with jokes that aren’t hokey as heck. He’s similar to the animated Justice League series.
Good news, Henry’s digitally removed mustache isn’t added. I can finally take Superman seriously.
Aquaman, The Flash & Cyborg are given more characterization. The latter has a bigger role fleshing out his backstory. Can’t believe Joss did Ray dirty reducing his role. The Flash has a scene saving Iris West from a speeding delivery truck.
Steppenwolf is also given more characterization expanding his role as a three dimensional villain not a generic “taking over the world” kinda baddie.
Steppenwolf’s defeat is a combo attack by The Gang.
Darkseid finally makes his live action debut. His design is accurate to the comics. Ray mentioned he describes Darkseid as a Shakespearean villain.
Darkseid is heavily involved in The Snyder Cut. A flashback shows him fighting armies led by The Amazons, Atlanteans, humans & a member of The Green Lantern Corps.
If you remember one of the trailers, Joker makes an appearance in an alternate future where Darkseid enslaves humanity.
Martian Manhunter also makes his live action debut. He’s actually General Swanwick from “Man Of Steel.” Meaning he’s been monitoring Superman and his allies if they’re worthy enough working as a team. Martian Manhunter is basically the Nick Fury of the DC Extended Universe.
Clips of “Rick & Morty” are shown on The Flash’s monitors when Bruce Wayne first meets Barry Allen.
Aquaman said, “My man.” Courtesy of Denzel Washington.
Unlike the theatrical cut, Batman is a bonafide no nonsense intimidating badass like Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” who never smiles when Superman comes to the rescue.
Superman gets to wear his black suit from the comics after his brutal death from Doomsday.
At one point Batman said, “My turn.” A reference to “V For Vendetta.” As you may know, Alan Moore wrote “Batman: The Killing Joke” “Watchmen” & the aforementioned V For Vendetta.
If you’re not willing to watch a four hour movie, it’s best to take a break. Not to worry, the movie is told in six parts and an epilogue like a mini-series similar to “The Hateful Eight” extended cut on Netflix. Honestly, I didn’t mind fours hours worth of content. I’m used to watching extended cuts on all three films of “The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.”
The film is dedicated to Zack’s daughter Autumn.
Cons: I’m gonna be brutally honest, I could’ve find no flaws. I’m giving Zack an Extra Point for making a flawless epic as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Like a few extended cuts like The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, “Kingdom Of Heaven” & “Blade Runner,” The Snyder Cut is a massive improvement thanks to many fans demanding Zack Snyder’s vision of his work released to the public. Im thankful for Zack, his buddy Christopher Nolan, Ben Affleck, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Harry Lennix, Joe Manganiello & Jared Leto for making this project become a reality. As a fan of DC Comics, watch The Snyder Cut right now. Trust me, it’s worth four hours of one fun ride. It’s official, I’m disowning Joss Whedon’s theatrical cut. I much prefer The Snyder Cut.
R.I.P. Autumn Snyder, somewhere in Heaven, you’re flying with Christopher Reeve looking with a proud smile on what your father has fulfilled his superhero epic.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 