So before we began, the first three words for Zack Snyder’s Justice League from our side is “What A Movie!”. Seriously, Snyder outdid himself. He gave everything the fans ever longed for when it comes to DCEU, or now we would be more likely to call it Snyderverse. If you asked in 2017, the Snyder Cut of Justice League seems like a distant dream. There was also news saying it doesn’t exist. But, constant teases from Zack Snyder and the cast built the hype. More importantly, thanks to the fans who supported it with the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement. HBO finally agreed to make the announcement of Zack Snyder’s Justice League for a March Release.
So, today marks the day Zack Snyder’s Justice League makes its way to many TV screens across the world. We will try to keep the review as spoiler-free as possible and to the point. Plus, in case you are worried about where to watch the film. We have mentioned a section at the bottom. You can find every region and place where the movie is released and its respective OTT platform or service to watch. So let’s begin our review for Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
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For Some Context
Before we breakdown, here is some context for the normal movie-goers. Well, most of the fans are already familiar with the Snyder Cut Movement. Especially the DC Fans. That’s the reason Zack Snyder’s Justice League is coming our way. But when it comes to regular movie-goers, not the case. They are left thinking about why Justice League is re-releasing and what makes Zack Snyder’s Justice League worth the hype?
So, starting off, Zack Snyder originally intended to release a massive four-hour film in 2017. Due to a family tragedy, the director had to leave the project. This led the DC to hire Joss Whedon. He intentionally cut the film to 2 hours. This resulted in 80% of the movie and its storyline by Snyder getting cut from the 2017 version of Justice League.
The darker tone of DCEU got removed, turning the universe upside down. Thus, Joss Whedon’s Justice League ultimately failed. So as mentioned above, Zack Snyder teased multiple scenarios of what the original film would look like. Now the original Snyder vision of the movie is coming to life. So the hype is intended. The fans are yet to see 80% of good stuff. This footage makes up the good story Justice League originally intended to tell. Thus, marking the arrival of Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
What Makes Zack Snyder Cut’s Justice League Different?
So starting off, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is quite different from the 2017’s Joss Whedon’s version of the film. Note it clearly; it is completely different. Not even close to the 2017 version. In fact, ultimately, a new product being honest. If we look at the story and plot, it remains the same. Not much of a difference. But the execution is way better than the original.
In Zack Snyder’s Justice League, there are enormous amounts of added and extended scenes. These all-new scenes are quite important ones making up the storyline. The storyline is told differently than in 2017’s. There are different dialogues, a darker tone, the flow is different, there are new music and soundtrack, and of course, the lame jokes of Whedon are completely removed. Lastly, of course, the twists and turns are different too.
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The Storyline
Talking about the storyline of Zack Snyder’s Justice League first. The way Snyder has told the story is just another level to follow-up. Snyder is quite a great storyteller if he gets enough creative freedom. Each and every sequence gets time to explore. This darker story builds up the plot. It just keeps building and building with tension around it rising towards the ultimate end. There are enough development and interest invested behind it. So, the viewer takes an interest in the story. Plus, it carries an enormous emotion behind it, making the story more true to this nature. Also, it is way better than the 2017 version we were told. The story is indeed coming back to its darker roots. It tells more of an event everyone should be scared of.
Apart from the main storyline, Zack Snyder takes cues from mythologies for its backstory and history. Connecting them to today’s superheroes and the modern world makes the story more realistic in nature. Thus, making the DC Universe more interesting and clearing the fact how these godlike creatures will always be there. This reference to mythology makes the story more superior in nature. There is the knack of historical figures playing a pivotal part for the world in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
The Character Arcs
Okay, as we said above, Zack Snyder’s Justice League explored the depth of storylines on an in-depth and emotional level. This also includes every character’s individual arcs. Of course, we are familiar with the story around Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Especially because now they have their individual movies. But if not, Batman is getting over his regret after the events of Batman Vs. Superman. Wonder Woman and Aquaman’s ancient stories took their character motives to some other level. The history and mythology help a lot to understand these characters and their motives. Especially in case, there were no solo movies for them.
Steppenwolf is probably the most hated villain ever since 2017’s Justice League was released. The reason Steppenwolf failed was he didn’t have a good reason behind its motives in the original film. But here in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the case is different. Steppenwolf, apart from his animation, gets a better story to tell. The reason why he is attempting to steal the mother’s boxes. There is a good motive behind his action. What he has got to prove is all taken to a deeper level. Thus, making Steppenwolf an interesting villain and better than his 2017’s take.
The New Standout Performers
Lastly, the standout characters were Cyborg and Flash. Both of them didn’t get much time to shine in Joss Whedon’s take. But here in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, they had many pivotal jobs to do. Talking first about Cyborg. He is quite a vital part of the film—the one last piece in the puzzle. Gosh, 2017 didn’t showcase any of it at all. Cyborg’s story and the back story take the plot to another level. His relationship with his father and how he pieces inside the story takes the story around and comes back to him.
If we come to Flash, he was initially just a part of some lame jokes. Plus, all he did in 2017 was push a family car outside the warzone. Not the same at all in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The way Flash or Barry Allen lives his day-to-day life. He’s exploring his powers and as a newbie and takes them to the ultimate level, evidently as the last measure in the final battle. He, therefore, becomes an important piece to the storytelling of Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Also, note the minor characters who contributed a lot to build up the story, especially by forming a connection with our main characters—starting off with Cyborg’s father, who is quite a pivotal part of the film. Lois Lane, Clark’s Mother, Mera, Vulko, everyone contributes a lot to their individual relations with one or the other character in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
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The Sequences
As mentioned above, just like how the story and characters were explored. The scenes involving them and the way they connect were done efficiently as well. There is no rush at all. The scenes get their time to shine and make the audience realize why they are important. Although it’s a slow burn, it still doesn’t necessarily bore you at all. They build up these sequences, which come to a handful in the later arc. Thus also answering a number of questions. There is also a knack of tension and emotion built around these scenes making it more viable in Zack Snyder’s vision for Justice League.
Aspects That Need A Look For Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Okay, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a really good watch and very much superior to the original. But there are a few things we should note too. Let’s start with the runtime. Of course, the movie is quite lengthy but it won’t necessarily bore you out. In fact, it tends to keep you hooked. Still, people require breaks.
So the length is something to look at. To solve it, the movie is divided into several parts. The screen blacks out, telling the part number and tell each time it shifts. So you can take a break between. Preferably you can also watch the movie much like a TV show. One part a day or between hours to do something else before continuing to watch. If it had been theatres, we would prefer two parts of the film because Zack Snyder’s Justice League requires that much story-telling.
Another thing that may bug you about Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the aspect ratio. It’s a 4:3 classic TV ratio. It may affect you initially as most of the time; we are used to 16:9 or the theatrical ratio. Overall not much of a thing, but something to look at. Plus, of course, a few animation glitches go unnoticeable, but they exist.
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The Final Verdict
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is clearly a dream come true. It is a must-watch. The demand and support paid off in a big way. Snyder has made sure he gives back the fans for their support, and he does it efficiently. We believe this movie could influence cinemas and studios to let directors and creators do their thing. Warner Bros. has been doing this for a while, letting movies like Man Of Steel and Batman V. Superman. They rushed with the storyline here. Even Batman V. Superman was applauded for the extended director cut more than the original one.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League gets an 8.6/10 from our side. It’s clearly a great watch. HBO Max’s availability in other regions could have brought more fortune to the movie. The January of 2021 saw more than 17 million subscribers joining the OTT platform for only Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Still, in case you don’t have HBO Max in your region or don’t know where to watch, here we go.
Where To Watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Zack Snyder’s Justice League was originally released on 18th March 2021 on HBO Max. So the viewers of the United States are happy to stream it on HBO’s new OTT space. The UK viewers can watch the movie on Sky Cinema and Now TV. In Canada, it is available on Crave. Asian, the Nordics, Central Europe, Spain, and Portugal viewers can stream the movie on HBO GO. In case HBO GO is not available in some parts of Asia, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is available to stream on BookMyShow stream for countries like India. For Indian Viewers, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is also available on Hungama Play and Tata Sky.
