The following review was made possible by HBO Max providing a screener copy of Zack Snyder’s Justice League
This project has been one I have followed since the release of the 2017 film Justice League, or “Josstice League” as it has become over recent years. I was lucky enough to have the chance to see this film before its worldwide release, and absolutely loved the film I got to see.
To say it is a step up from the first iteration is an understatement… There was so much about this that makes it a great film, regardless of comparison to the original; this is a wild ride definitely. I had concerns going into the film, just like many people, mainly about the run time, the idea that all the fan campaign could be for nothing, and that ultimately it could just be another DC Film and not be that good.
Well. I was shocked – firstly, I ended up making my through the film in just two sittings – just for context, the film is split up into 6 chapters (and an Epilogue towards the end of the film) and during my first sitting made it through the first two chapters, I stopped for a bit before watching the rest of the film. Four hours is definitely a long-running time, and would strongly advise having breaks to improve your concentration to enjoy this film.
Ahead of watching this film, I re-watched the Ultimate Edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and if that film proved anything, apart from the fact that Martha is an incredibly popular maternal name, it is that director’s cuts of films are and will always be the far superior iterations of films.
A Strong Opening
This film starts off incredibly well. After a short prologue following the death of Superman during the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Bruce Wayne is seen beginning to do what he was told by a future version of The Flash during the events of the prior film, “Find us”.
The opening two parts of the movie are incredibly strong, and jam-packed full of backstory and set up for the events of the film, whilst also getting us straight into the action at the same time. We’re introduced to the main plot points of the films – The Mother Boxes. Followed strongly by some incredible set pieces including Steppenwolf taking on the forces of Themyscira whilst Diana herself takes on some rogue terrorists in London. These two sequences are honestly insane… both are accompanied by an insane score, especially Diana’s which is paired with her iconic Wonder Woman theme first heard in Dawn of Justice.
Action, Left Right and Centre!
Definitely my favourite part of this huge film like I mentioned above, were the massive action set pieces throughout the film. Some of the sequences we get to see during Zack Snyder’s Justice League include:
- Diana vs Terrorists
- A flashback to “The Age of Heroes”
- The Sieges of Themyscira, and Atlantis
- Justice League facing off with Steppenwolf (Twice)
- Justice League vs Superman
There were points, especially late in the second act, where I just wanted the film to speed up and get back to the action. That’s the challenge with a four-hour runtime – maintaining momentum. Snyder nails the balance for the most part, but things start to drag just before Superman’s return. Maybe it’s just me, but despite caring about Lois and Clark, their scenes felt like a lull.
Assembling the Justice League
One small thing I will add about the roster of heroes, is all of them are likeable characters and great in so many different ways, each have their own style of humour and it really helps you enjoy the film simply because the characters on screen are so easy to watch and have fun with pretty much. I think my favourite of them all has to be Barry Allen/ The Flash, for two reasons. The first, I absolutely loved the first few seasons of The CW’s The Flash, and Barry Allen in general is such a fun and geeky character, but second – Ezra Miller does such a great job as Barry.
One thing Zack Snyder’s Justice League does well is bringing in all these characters in such “short time” (I say short, this film is four hours long) But compared to other titles, where films struggle with too many characters, but this gets it so right. Could be down to the fact that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice pretty much introduced us to the roster before hand but we’ll let it slide.
Steppenwolf – An Actual Villain to face The Justice League
With every film about heroes, you need a convincing villain, and Steppenwolf is just that – a convincing villain. From the very first time we see him as he arrives in Themyscira to claim the first Motherbox is insane! I can’t get over how terrifying Steppenwolf is in this film. He is torn on revenge and seeks vengeance throughout the film to truly be accepted by his master Darkseid once again. Whilst on the subject of Steppenwolf, the design and look is absolutely incredible and a major step up from his first look back in 2017, it is completely menacing
In terms of the ending of Steppenwolf too, it is such a better ending for him compared to Josstice League. In Joss Whedon’s film, Steppenwolf meets his ultimate demise when he begins to become fearful and in turn the Parademons smell his fear and soon attack him… yep, that’s a real thing. In this iteration however, Steppenwolf soon meets his match when Superman shows up in Russia and takes him on, one-on-one.
Cyborg Is The Highlight of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’
Arguably, an underused character in the first iteration of the film, in this film that all changes. Its almost as if we get the chance to see a completely different side and actual development of the character of Victor Stone on screen. Throughout the course of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, we see Victor go from someone who is ashamed of who he is, and someone who does not want to be the way he is – to a hero by the end of the film. Ray Parker absolutely shines in this role and its a shame that he recently came out and announced he would no longer appear in DC Movies including Walter Hamada.
One of the film’s most powerful moments is Silas sacrificing himself to mark the final Motherbox with a heat signature, dying to protect what mattered most to him, his son. The emotional weight of Victor and Silas’ strained relationship runs deep: a father too focused on work, a son who resented being brought back to life. Victor’s guilt over his father’s death becomes the catalyst for his transformation into a hero, made all the more impactful by Fisher’s standout performance.
The Ending of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Is Underwhelming
Following the battle with Steppenwolf and ultimately preventing the union of the Motherboxes, all is returned to normal with everyone going back to their normal lives. We get to see Arthur return to the land, Cyborg – returns home to listen to his father’s message which acts as a closing monologue narrative, and Bruce, accompanied by Alfred and Diana – to a new headquarters for the league. Barry Allen finds himself a job in a crime lab, to his father’s delight, and Clark Kent returning to his farm with Lois – a happy ending for all our heroes.
We get a new ending in Zack Snyder’s Justice League – one that continues the Knightmare Sequence first teased during the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice… in this post-apocalyptic setting, set in what I can only imagine is the future. We get to see Bruce, Victor and Barry – now joined by Mera, Deathstroke and Joker in a really weird sequence teasing the future of the Snyderverse, where they’re attempting to fix the issues caused by Darkseid taking over Earth. We then get a tease of an evil Superman (controlled by Darkseid, I believe) who “has found them”. Note: Jared Leto’s Joker is just great!
It’s shortly revealed that the whole sequence was just another of Bruce’s dreams… because of course it was! Shortly followed by Martian Manhunter revealing himself to Bruce in they dying moments…
The Future of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’
Personally, I like the concept of Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘s ending. Am I completely a fan of it? No.
It is extremely obvious that this was done to get fans wanting more (and don’t get me wrong, I definitely would love to see more from the Snyderverse) but the whole ending with the sequence just feels so out of place with the rest of the film, and that it doesn’t make sense to have it added in. No lie towards the end of the film, when it was all getting wrapped up I kept asking myself, “Where does the knightmare sequences fit into this?” – the film was being wrapped up perfectly with everyone going their way, to then have this sequence thrown in last minute.
I think I would have appreciated this sequence more if it had showed up in a different place of the film, similar to how the first dream sequence in Dawn of Justice took place…
‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ – Final Thoughts
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is an ambitious and powerful reimagining that largely justifies its four-hour runtime with gripping action, standout performances (especially from Ray Fisher), and a richer emotional core. While the epilogue feels tacked on, the film as a whole is a significant leap forward for the DCEU.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is now available to stream in the US on HBO Max, in the UK on Sky Cinema/NOW and elsewhere worldwide. Check out the trailer below:
