Review of Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) by Realmuthaf — 20 Mar 2021

I can't believe it, but it's finally here. The Snyder Cut.

First things first, it is drastically different from the 2017 theatrical release, and is mostly better, too. For a whopping 4 hours of runtime, the pacing keeps up well, and time flies by fast. While the Whedon/WB version looked like a clumsy awkward mess, the Snyder Cut is a well-structured, coherent, and a truly epic spectacle. While most characters used to lack backstory or motivation, now every Justice League member has a plotline and some character development (maybe less so Wonder Woman). The Flash, while still a comic relief, is much less annoying, and is equally more powerful, showcasing some really impressive abilities. The added Knightmare scene is just flawless, Batman and Joker's tense dialogue is gripping and leaves you wanting for a Batfleck movie along with a JL sequel. Junkie XL's score is also miles ahead of Danny Elfman's self-copying forgettable garbage heard in JL 2017.

Now for the critical part. In my opinion, ZSJL retains three problems from the theatrical cut.

First, the Batman is watered down, and is not the same character we saw back in Batman v Superman. While the original Batfleck was angry, focused and visceral, this one lack self-confidence (Absolutely pathetic scene where he touches hands with Diana), his signature readiness for anything (He doesn't have a plan in the tunnel?), fighting skills (In BvS he engaged a good dozen of thugs. Now he does painfully slow roundhouses, and gets his butt kicked by a random parademon), and overall credibility (His whole suicidal aspect and the obsession to do right by Superman is not enough for my suspension of disbelief to handle). The fact that Affleck, a sorry drunk at the time, looks to be in much worse shape than in BvS, also doesn't help sell his character.

Second, the villain, Steppenwolf, is underwhelming. While more menacing and better-designed than his PS2-videogame-looking original counterpart, he is still overshadowed by Darkseid, and is nothing but a filler bad guy.

Third, Superman is overpowered compared to the rest of the League. The idea of the five of them being incapable of winning over some insignificant villain, while Superman can fly in, not even flinch after a strong hit with Steppenwolf's axe, and just own him in a couple of minutes really undermines the worth of the team.

Oh, and the bonus one - the idea that a bunch of women armed with spears and swords are seriously trying to defend an important artefact from alien invaders, and that they haven't improved their arms and technology in the last 5,000 years in the least bit, is still laughable.

There are some new downsides, too. The movie sports quite a bit of flab that could be cut down entirely, like a lot of scenes with Lois, some long exposition shots, or the Martian Manhunter scenes. He doesn't play any role in the plot whatsoever, is only thrown in there as a fanservice teaser, and even ruins a scene where Martha Kent consoles Lois, as knowing that it was actually him is kind of weird and off-putting.

There are also scenes that overdo it with violence and killing, like WW butchering a few terrorists in front of the captive children's eyes, and one of them asking if she could be like her when she grows up. I don't mind superheroes killing, but this was a bit of a stretch.

A lengthy review of a lengthy movie. Despite the flaws, I still enjoyed Zack Snyder's Justice League immensely, and more so than its predecessor. Its release is a fascinating and uplifting precedent, and I congratulate both the director and the fans on this victory.