Movie Review: Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) *Spoiler Free*

Movie Review: Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) Spoiler Free

Zack Snyder's Justice League Heroes Poster

I must admit I definitely didn’t dislike the original, theatrical cut of Joss Wheden’s 2017 Justice League. In fact I gave it a mostly positive review and I bought the DVD. However after seeing Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a four hour epic, I definitely prefer the latter.

Comparing the two versions, the overall story is mostly the same. Based on Lex Luthor’s warning at the end of Batman Versus Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman must assemble a team of superheroes to combat an imminent attack on the planet by an alien army.

Where the versions differ is in the character development and backstory of each hero as they are brought into the team. As well you get a much more fleshed out backstory and motivation for the movie’s villains. Most of this character development is either scaled back or completely changed in the original 2017 release, with the major, major villain erased from that film entirely.

I also got the sense that once the team comes together the mood between the characters was a lot more hopeful, co-operative, and on equal footing. For example, the Flash, Barry Allen, was portrayed as very naive, unskilled, and not particularly bright in the 2017 film, where as here, he is very aware of the potential of his abilities and proactively contributes to the team as they formulate their plans.

A some what minor short coming of Zack’s film is the inclusion of scenes that don’t really add anything but are really there just for the fans. I understand why they’re included (with most occurring during the epilogue) but they’re not really essential. It’s clear Zack Snyder doesn’t think he’ll be making any more movies in this DC continuity any time soon so he wanted to make sure fans at least got a sense of everything future films were promising in this movie. (One could argue he’s actually lighting a small flame for fans to rally behind the new hashtag #restorethesnyderverse.)

If you’re a fan of Zack’s work the four hour runtime is not an issue. I really appreciated that the film is split into chapters with clear title cards, so you can pause the action if need be.

That said I watched the film in one sitting but had no trouble pausing it at any point, as needed, due to a few life distractions happening around me.

I am glad I didn’t have to see this in a theatre. I’m not even sure I’d have gone just for the anxiety of whether I’d need the bathroom outside of the mid movie intermission (that was planned had there been a cinema release).

Overall I’m glad this version of Justice League got made. It’s superior to the 2017 release in every way but does have a few issues of its own (that I can’t get into without spoilers). I will definitely be buying the DVD/Blu-ray.

Zack’s film actually doesn’t change too much of what came after it since this version sets up Aquaman’s first solo film (albeit with some obvious references to deceased characters who are very much alive in Aquaman’s movie), has no affect on Wonder Woman’s second solo movie, and no affect on Shazam or Birds of Prey.

Regardless of which version you consider cannon, 2017, or 2021’s film, everything both films attempt to set up could be expanded upon or circled back to in future films with these characters (and actors).

Though, if I’m honest, there are aspects of Zack Snyder’s future JL plans I’m not that excited for, such as ‘evil Superman’ that we got a glimpse of in Bruce’s dream sequence in Batman Versus Superman. I’m not against it but I just want to see one or two Superman films where Clark gets to be the hero for the whole movie first.

While I do like Zack’s vision for the DC Universe, and would be happy to see him continue his Justice League story arc, I would not be disappointed to see other directors take his foundation and tell a few more smaller JL stories before we get to the epic war that is hinted at here.

As I said, I’m glad Zack got to make this version. It’s definitely more for the fans than it is the general audience. It’s definitely not for younger audiences. Even if you could get them to sit for four hours.

I recommend watching it all in one sitting, pausing as needed for breaks. It’s not a dissimilar experience to binge watching a series. I didn’t find it to be slow or drag at any point, and I really appreciated all the extra detail in each character’s story.

Comments

How to Transfer Any Line Art to Your Griptape - Easy Skateboard Griptape Art Tutorial

Dog Star Griptape Art by TET Griptape art is once again gaining popularity amongst modern skateboarders. For those of us who have tried to create our own griptape art, using paint pens, you'll know reproducing your design onto the grip, without making any mistakes is incredibly challenging. Mostly because you just have to go for it and draw the design freehand, with paint pens, directly onto the griptape. You can make the odd mistake here or there but if you get the proportions of the design completely wrong, it can be very difficult to fix. Often you just have to live with the mistake. To address the problem I've come up with an easy way anyone can transfer a line art design to their griptape, removing almost all the anxiety of getting the proportions wrong. In fact, you could do this with any line art design, even if you have no drawing skill at all. Watch the video below to see my technique in action and/or skip past the video where I highlight the basic steps to get your de

Guest Post: New Novel - Alias Jeannie Delaney - Book 2 - The Outlaw's Return

A lmost a year ago I featured Go West Girl , Book 1 of author, Kit Mackenzie's Alias Jeannie Delaney series. Now, the next book in the series, Alias Jeannie Delaney - Book 2 - The Outlaw's Return , is soon to be released in August, and is available for pre-order on Amazon. If you love a powerful female lead in a traditional western packed with action and adventure, this is the novel for you. The story centers on Cowgirl Jeannie Morgan who grew up in Coyote Creek, Wyoming, where she became persecuted for her lethal gun and a sexuality that swings both ways. Tomboy beautiful and tough as the nails in a miner's boots, she is on the run with a bunch of boys who would die for her. Her snake strike gun, soul-slicing gaze and dangerous magnetism leaves a trail of intense emotions, killings and would-be death threats in her wake. Heading south, she finds herself becoming a legend. She's in deep trouble, but her home town demands her return and they pin a badge on her. It'

I'm Joining the Illuminati Brotherhood By Personal Invitation of Hiltom Rothschild... Wait, What?

How special am I to have finally come of age (53 years young) and am now eligible to participate in building the world alongside other members of the Illuminati Brotherhood... Yes I've received the call by way of an email, which I'm sure is real because I had to translate it from the Dutch language and it was personally written by Hiltom Rothschild, one of the non-existent members of the Rothschild family (or perhaps deep undercover because Google has never heard of them?). A Transcript of the email below: To: etourist From: Illuminati Brotherhood Subject: Illuminati Broederschap (Illuminati Brotherhood) I am Hiltom Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild family, one of the 13 families of the Illuminati brotherhood. I'm here to let you know that you've come of age and are eligible to participate in building the 🌎 world. It is a calling and a privilege to honor him with pride and gratitude as not everyone will ever be chosen by the LIGHT, many are called but few are ch

Skateboard Trick Tips: Two Ways to Ollie North (Ollie One foot)

You have to be quick to see my Ollie Norths! Ollie One Foots, otherwise known as the Ollie North, is one of those skateboard tricks you learn and then tend not to do very much as more interesting trick challenges grab your attention. However it does look really cool if you learn how to kick your front foot well past the nose of your skateboard. Still shot from Braille Skateboarding's Ollie North tutorial. I was inspired to make my video below, showing two different techniques to achieve a successful Ollie One Foot, when I not only saw that Braille Skateboarding's Tutorial used a different method to the one I had learned but also, when I looked at various other video tutorials, I discovered yet another technique, with no one using the method I had originally learned. Braille's method is to simply Ollie and drag your front foot past the front of your board. The second method I came across in several video tutorials is to Ollie, drag your front foot and tap your

Robot Uprising Update: Robot Waiter, Fasta Pasta, South Terrace, Adelaide CBD, South Australia

On the second evening of my partner, Enigma, and I's weekend stay in Adelaide we decided to have dinner at Fasta Pasta . Strangely enough our hotel staff, at the Alba, had not mentioned Fasta Pasta as an option for an evening meal while their restaurant is closed for refurbishment, even though it is literally next door on the corner of South Terrace and Pultney Street. You may be aware that Fasta Pasta is an upmarket Italian restaurant franchise with its beginnings in Adelaide. Currently they have 19 restaurants Australia wide (with the majority in South Australia - we even have one in Gawler, our home town). I've never had bad food at a Fasta Pasta, and their food never looks like a franchise meal. You always feel you're at a restaurant that's a little bit more quality than your typical hotel/motel meal. Maybe it's because you don't see as much pasta based meals on an Aussie pub menu. Despite the name, it's not all pasta. I went with a basic plate of fish a

Four Years into a Post Pandemic World and Secondary COVID-19 Might be a Thing?

Social distancing 2020 style. A fter not being too far from COVID-19, potentially patient zero in Australia back in 2020. Four years later my partner finally tested positive for the virus. Then I inevitably caught it as well. You might think, so what, but I'm honestly surprised we've lasted this long. My partner works at an aged care facility that has fought off numerous outbreaks over the years, and continues to do so. Workers at her facility take RAT tests daily so you know pretty quick if you test positive. Workers then have to isolate at home for at least seven days until they're clear. COVID-19 symptoms can vary in intensity and you may not get the full range (at least to my knowledge and experience). My partner seemed to get it fairly bad with tiredness, aching joints, loss of taste and smell, along with cold and flu like symptoms (sore throat, congestion etc). While we did try to social distance, keeping our distance, hand washing, and not sleeping in the same room

The First US Presidential Debate 2024 - America You're Standing In It

M ost of the time I get my fill of American political news from clips of The Daily Show , which I know many people accuse of being more political left leaning than balanced with its humour. As such it was my first port of call when looking for commentary on the recent, first US Presidential debate for 2024. I say first because I don't know if they'll do another one. I'd strongly advise they don't. Getting your news from a comedy show isn't ideal, even one as arguably intelligent as The Daily Show, because they're focussed on what can be laughed at, more than serious analysis. As such their coverage very well could be making both candidates look more foolish than they may actually be. As such I decided to watch the full replay of the debate so I could get more of a sense of who both candidates are and how they come across in, what should be, their ideal platform - debating the opposition. Before Donald Trump became President I was a fan. I watched every season o

TET.Life (The Extraordinary Tourist Life)

Search This Blog