Review: Zack Snyder’s Justice League: No Justice For These DC Heroes

DC fans demanded the release of director Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League after Joss Whedon’s dismal display hit theaters in 2017. Fast forward almost four years later and those fans are finally seeing their pleas and prayers answered. Tomorrow, March 18, HBO Max releases Zack Snyder’s Justice League, in all its six-part glory, and viewers are in for a messy, doozy of a film.

Superman has just died, and Batman is on the journey to put together the strongest team of heroes to protect the world against the dangers that threaten it. Recruiting the likes of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg, Batman hopes this ragtag team can cooperate just long enough to stop the newest threat, Steppenwolf from conquering their world. However, the team quickly learns they might not be enough to defeat this evil without an ace up their sleeve.

Director Zack Snyder was gifted a rare opportunity with the chance for a do over of his already released film. After 2017, fans were rightfully disappointed with Whedon’s vision of Snyder’s tale. They joined together to demand the release of Snyder’s original version, which was scrapped when he exited filming due to a personal emergency. Warner Brothers eventually relented and Snyder was given another shot to release what he ultimately created. But it was not for the better. The film is just as much of a mess as the theatrical release and does no justice for this amazing band of DC heroes. Maybe I am biased because I will forever see the Justice League animated series as the perfect origin story for this team. However, when a one-hour cartoon can tell a cohesive, plot driven story about the creation of the Justice League and it’s members, then a four-hour movie should be able do it, too. The flick is slow, with no real foundation to build anything off of until the action gets going around Part Four.

As with our previous reviews of Snyder’s DC films, Snyder loves to go against grain when it comes to these characters. The best and most important characteristics that define these heroes are completely thrown out the window because the writers and creators want to take a risk. Snyder proved this with Man Of Steel when he had Superman kill and he continues that mindset throughout his version of the Justice League. A prime example is Batman casually revealing his identity to the Justice League members, hoping this piece of information would woo them to join the team. Fans know this is not something Wayne would have done, he holds his identity close to his chest. It’s the one piece of the puzzle he would refuse to give up unless the world was completely ending. The quick reveals go against the very nature of the mysterious Batman. These may seem like small and minute details that perhaps a general audience would never pick up on, but the die-hard fans that petitioned for this version will notice it and will continue to have an issue with it.

For many, having this film on a streaming site, like HBO Max, will make for an easier watching experience than seeing it in the theaters. Four hours is a long time to do anything, even watch any movie and with Justice Lease clocking in at a little over four hours, this film is exhausting. Many moments are wasted on prolonged shots of characters, slow motion captures to emphasize the importance of a scene, and/or details that should have been left on the cutting room floor. Did viewers really need five extra minutes of villagers singing a sea shanty to see Aquaman off or prolonged shots of characters standing around? Probably not, but with it being on a streaming site, viewers can pause and fast forward to their hearts’ delight.

There are a few positive notes to this film compared to it’s original version. One, is the appearance of Kiersey Clemons as Iris West. Only seen for a moment in the 2017 version, this version contains an actual full scene with her. The second is the additional backstory for Cyborg. Even though I still see Cyborg as a Teen Titan and not a member of Justice League, the new storyline for Cyborg brings him to the forefront of the team. It also showcases Ray Fisher, the actor who plays the character, abilities as an actor. This was sorely missed in the 2017 version.

For those who petitioned for this version of the film to be released, I hope you enjoy it more than I did. Zach Snyder released the film he always wanted. For everyone else, spend four hours doing something else.

Grade: D+