The DCEU has been in a state of flux ever since WB cut out half an hour from Batman v Superman. While the Ultimate Edition managed to remedy most of the theatrical cut’s issues, Batman v Superman’s underwhelming critical and box office performance caused Warner Bros. to heavily reign in Zack Snyder’s vision.
By Justice League’s original release, Snyder had been replaced with Joss Whedon and roughly 90% of the movie was reshot. Against all odds, Zack Snyder was given the chance to release his full cut on HBO Max, offering a far more developed interpretation of the Justice League than fans originally got. The Snyder Cut is a classically epic take on the Justice League in every sense, blending old school movie sensibility with classic comic book flavor.
10 The Four Hour Runtime
Justice League’s four hour runtime is as dense as it is demanding, but it’s also one of the strongest qualities about the movie. There’s no way Zack Snyder’s Justice League could have released as a four hour cut in theaters, but the runtime is perfect for the streaming model and the length serves the film well.
Four hours allow character arcs to breathe while they stretch their legs, making payoff in the last act all the more rewarding. Plot points are fleshed out slowly, but this lends a sense of scope to the world that’s often missing from the DCEU. Zack Snyder’s Justice League does more for this universe world’s building in four hours than Warner Bros. has done across ten movies.
9 The Artistry Of Self Indulgence
As is the case with any four hour movie, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is self-indulgent. Women smell Aquaman’s shirt and sing to him; Barry Allen has a tender moment saving Iris West; there are multiple sequences dedicated to side characters and tracking shots – but this all gives Justice League an epic quality. Everything matters, even when it doesn’t.
There’s plenty of slow motion used throughout the movie (a Zack Snyder trademark), but it’s part of the movie’s personality. Yes, the movie would be shorter if all these scenes were faster, but the purpose of this self indulgent filmmaking is to allow you to live in this world. More importantly, it’s a means of showing off Snyder’s personality as a filmmaker.
8 Methodical Introductions For Each Lead
As mentioned, characters really get the chance to settle into the plot on account of the four hour runtime. Arguably the greatest issue with Justice League’s theatrical cut (beyond the fact most of the movie was reshot) was constricting six in-depth characters into a two hour runtime while severely diminishing Steppenwolf’s motivations as a villain.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League gives ample time for each member of the Justice League to get introduced, find their footing within the group, and ultimately resolve their arc for the movie (seen clearest with Batman, The Flash, and Cyborg). Steppenwolf is also greatly humanized on account of his relationship with Darkseid and commanding presence. By the end of the movie, every main character feels fully developed for the story Zack Snyder is telling.
7 Even Minor Characters Serve A Purpose
Joss Whedon ultimately cut out most of the supporting cast in his reshoots while also diminishing their roles. Much like Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Ultimate Edition before it, Zack Snyder’s Justice League gives even the smallest characters a purpose in the plot. Silas’ role is greatly expanded on and he gets phenomenal payoff with Cyborg at the end of the movie; Iris West is part of Barry’s introduction; and Ryan Choi gets set up as The Atom. All these characters serve a purpose, even if only for a few scenes. They aren’t just here to fill time and give characters someone to bounce off of, but to genuinely expand the DCEU and flesh out Justice League’s core themes as a movie.
6 Tom Holkenborg’s Score
Junkie XL’s score has long been a highlight of the DCEU and he returns (this time as Tom Holkenborg) for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. At the Speed of Force is a standout theme, but The Foundation Theme and Wonder Woman’s remixed theme (Ancient Lamentations and all) add a bombastic quality to some of the movie’s best scenes. Tom Holkenborg’s score is energetic, emotional, and part of the reason Justice League is resonating so much with audiences.
5 The Story Takes Itself Seriously
The DCEU is not the MCU and it never will be. Zack Snyder’s vision for the franchise was always darker and rooted with a definite end point for Batman and Superman’s sagas. Joss Whedon course corrected things immensely with his Justice League, removing all set up for Darkseid and ending the movie on a note where quite literally anything could happen next.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is more narrative restrictive by comparison, but the story actually takes itself seriously. A number of Barry Allen’s quips were surprisingly from Zack himself, but the framing of the movie makes these jokes land as actual moments of levity against a fairly serious plot. There’s a sincerity at play that works in ZSJL’s favor.
4 Expanding The Knightmare
The Knightmare is a controversial element of the DCEU – a post-apocalyptic future where Superman rules the Earth and Batman leads a resistance. Joss Whedon notably eliminated the Knightmare from his Justice League, but Zack Snyder’s cut actually expands on this hellscape considerably.
Not only is there a fantastic scene between Batman and Joker in which they discuss Robin’s death, audiences get a glimpse at Bruce’s fellow survivors: The Flash, Cyborg, Mera, and Deathstroke. There’s rich history to the Knightmare as well that could have led to an extremely dark (if still engaging) Justice League sequel.
3 The Age Of Heroes
The Age of Heroes is one of the standout moments in the Snyder Cut, detailing Earth’s first battle against Darkseid (then Uxas). Darkseid was ultimately defeated, but only because the world was united as one. Humans, Atlanteans, the Amazon, the Gods, and even a Green Lantern banded together to fend off Darkseid’s conquest.
The Age of Heroes is meant to set up the formation of the Justice League as well. Just like those heroes came together ages ago, the Justice League comes together to unite Superman, reignite their world with hope, and defeat Steppenwolf. With time, the Justice League would have surely come together in their own Age of Heroes to take down Darkseid once and for all.
2 Steppenwolf’s Defeat
Steppenwolf’s defeat in Justice League’s theatrical cut is downright laughable. The League hardly has to come together to defeat him and Steppenwolf is ultimately consumed by his Parademons. Zack Snyder’s Justice League makes sure Steppenworld is an actual threat who needs severe punishment to be put down.
Steppenwolf even manages to ignite the Mother Boxes and kill the League, leaving it to The Flash to save the day. Everyone has to work together to defeat Steppenwolf – Superman beats him into submission, Arthur stabs him with his “Trident,” and Diana outright beheads Steppenwolf just to be on the safe side. It’s a far more satisfying end for JL’s villain.
1 Setting A New Precedent For Director’s Cuts
Above all else, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is an important precedent for director’s cuts everywhere. While director’s cuts have existed for ages, this is a case of a blockbuster movie being rereleased with heavy edits – ultimately transformed into an entirely new movie for audiences. Who’s to say how this can affect other maligned films?
While there was obviously a cult of personality surrounding Zack Snyder that brought the Snyder Cut into fruition, this is all the same a game changer for movie making. Justice League: The Snyder Cut is more than just a director’s cut: it’s an entirely different movie at its core. That’s not insignificant.