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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
The huge wait is over. In the middle of last May, Zack Snyder’s version of DC Comics’ Justice League announced to drop on HBO Max. After a long ten months, we are finally here, and it is everything we could expect and more!
Those who have chosen to see that previous version of the film will come to know that this current film features a similar plot. However, what we are given is vastly better and should be regarded as the only version of Justice League. In this non-spoiler review, I shall look at the film as its own thing, as if no other version exists.
Plot Summary (and Some Details)
Long-time fans will know that the filmmaker knows his craft. Snyder and his co-writers Chris Terrio and Will Beall are very meticulous about what is to be included. As far back as March 2019, of course, the director teased many details that never made the final cut, which you can read here — at your own risk. (Only one or two on this linked list do not appear in the film, but that is up to you to watch and figure out.)
The main plot narrative of the film is nothing new. Bruce Wayne/ Batman (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) round up a team of metahuman superheroes. After the death of Clark Kent/ Superman (Henry Cavill) at the hands of evil, it’s only safe to say that the world needs more protection. The two search for Arthur Curry/ Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Barry Allen/ The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Victor Stone/ Cyborg (Ray Fisher). However, an otherworldly being named Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) arrives on Earth and proves himself a tougher adversary than imagined. To prove himself to Darkseid (Ray Porter), the entity from Apokolips will search for three Mother Boxes stranded on the planet during ancient times.
From its introductory scene in the prologue, we can already tell that we are in for a treat.
The Snyder Cut is divided into six parts (and an epilogue). In order, here are the titles:
- “Don’t Count on It, Batman,”
- “The Age of Heroes,”
- “Beloved Mother, Beloved Son,”
- “Change Machine,”
- “All the King’s Horses,”
- “Something Darker,” and
- “Epilogue: A Father Twice Over.”
Themes
Justice League has its own concepts to examine, and perhaps it’s not always explicitly stated what should be made known here.
Family
In Man of Steel (2013), fans of Superman learned about respect for our fathers. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), we got a narrative about loving our mothers. Now, Snyder is teaching us a lesson about family, and we do see this in many characters.
Curry feels he doesn’t belong with the land-dwellers or the sea people, while Allen has a father Henry (Billy Crudup) in prison to keep happy and is looking for friends. Prince has an underlying weariness for the safety of her fellow Amazons, but she also has a job to do as a hero.
Daily Planet news reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams) is mourning the loss of her beloved and of the family she could have had. Most importantly, the film looks at Stone’s loss of a mother as well as his love-hate relationship with his father, Silas Stone (Joe Morton).
Redemption and Risks
Another theme present in this film is redemption. Having lived longer than the other members, Prince tells the team this is their chance to do what is right. She had experienced the most — having lost the love of her life to the trials of history.
Wayne makes a promise to Kent that he would gather the metahumans for when the next world-threatening danger comes. After having fought him in BvS, the Caped Crusader is willing to redeem himself.
Silas Stone makes a similar promise to turn his son into someone — or something — better that will not be rejected.
The possible return of Superman comes with the realization that the world does truly need him.
Lastly, Steppenwolf takes this path of redemption in order to be accepted by his relative, Darkseid.
Although, redemption cannot happen without at least some hint of risk, and this comes with being a hero of your own story. Take the Amazons and the Atlanteans, for example, and what they are willing to do so that their own people can survive. Victor and his father Silas follow in the same path, even if each other is all they’ve got.
Transhumanism and Posthumanism
This is a critical/literary conceptual theory that I have been trying to look into for a while now. It would be useless if I didn’t bring that knowledge into this review. Transhumanism is the study of human beings who have technology — not always the digital kind — as some part of them for improvement or enhancement. Moreover, posthumanism looks at how we can go beyond the use of technological tools and what can be done to make the world better for co-existence.
While Bruce Wayne would be obvious to point out, instead, we return to the Stones. Even before his accident, Victor Stone has been hacking into digital networks to help others. His mother Elinore (Karen Bryson) said he does this “because he’s got a good heart.” Through his father’s words in the second act leading into the final one, Victor learns that to have no limitations is to become posthuman. The Cyborg also explains that the Mother Boxes can possess a posthuman purpose, and the writers have a smart way of them transforming individuals and the planet for the better rather than for the worse.
Character Development
Every primary character has their own path that leads to where they should be.
In this film’s ensuing fight against our heroes’ foes, Wayne continues to deal with the possible future, and we can see this is something he often ponders.
Choosing to cast themselves out of their given roots, Prince and Curry join forces to fight as representatives of their people. They also live by a common adage, that when someone is taken out of the darkness, another must be given up in return.
Allen soon realizes that having a power such as his is not all fun and games. Although he has superhuman speed, he is still a human that bleeds. Saving the planet means thinking of those that will be affected, that actual lives are at stake. And being the Flash, he must deal with time. Every second matters, but one neglect of the environment can mean life or death in very important circumstances.
Steppenwolf has better development in this film than a previous DCEU installment he appeared in. His mission to terraform the planet has a greater goal in proving himself to Darkseid. You can actually see tears form in his eyes at one point, indicative of the pain and struggle that he endures.
Finally, if you have been on social over the past couple of days, reactions to the film are right. Victor Stone has the strongest and most emotional development of the other characters. The hurt he holds and his discomfort towards his new self are already enough to show that, at the end of the day, he is still human and thus vulnerable. However, his relationship with his father can easily be shattered, especially when they both know specific decisions must be made.
Performances
Cavill, Adams, Affleck, Gadot, and Momoa have already shown how well they act in roles that place them as protagonists. I refer to their appearances in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman 1984.
Aside from our main heroes, we also have Morton as Silas Stone, the father who just wants to make amends with his son. Leading up to his final physical scene in the film, we really see how loving and caring he is. I still remember his character from Terminator 2: Judgment Day and what it takes so his family wouldn’t be harmed.
Hinds delivers a great performance as Steppenwolf in film, and with Snyder as director, we can almost feel for his character. Porter’s Darkseid appears in this Justice League movie, but it’s such a tease because he does so well. I really want more of this character, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.
We also meet Clemons and Simmons as Iris West and Commissioner James Gordon, respectively, but I’m left wanting more screentime from them.
Justice League primarily highlights Miller and Fisher’s roles as the Flash and Cyborg, respectively. From the moment we see Allen in the second act, we just know he is the levity of the film. Miller delivers high spirits in his character, which is a great tease for the upcoming solo film. He has a heart when sharing a scene with his father and with Iris West (Kiersey Clemons). Not only that, he does have his hilarious moments. When around the other members of the League, his presence says, “Everything will be okay.”
Additionally, Fisher’s role as Stone is the most powerful one out of the cast members. Some examples include the one or two particular scenes shared with his character’s father, Silas. The actor’s pain is potent, and he shares one thing with his character. Their bodies are physical vessels striving to be accepted by others, but what knocks it out of the ballpark is one of many crucial lines:
I’m not broken, and I’m not alone.
Both Fisher and Stone deserve more good out of this world, rather than losing something that is part of who they are.
Cinematography and Musical Score
The framing and sounds in the film are always worth dying for, and in many movies, they can be overlooked. I had to make sure these cinematic elements did the right job for me.
Fabian Wagner does a great deal when it comes to the film’s camera work. My favorite shots involve sequences featuring the Flash or Cyborg, such as a scene Allen shares with West or when Stone is deep in cognition.
I would also say a well-crafted sequence would be the huge battle between the old gods and the new gods. Some odd computer-generated imagery shows up here and there throughout the movie, but nothing too bad.
Tom Holkenborg’s scoring is phenomenal. I cannot stress this enough. There are also some good songs on the soundtrack, including “Distant Sky” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Conclusion
Watch the whole film, even its two-halve epilogue. You will not be disappointed. It has a good introduction, seems to slow down a bit in Part 1, but begins to gain momentum afterward.
The Snyder Cut of Justice League teases what is to come, or rather (if Warner Brothers get their affairs in order), what should come. The film calls upon unlikely and/or unseen heroes, all the way until the epilogue’s final scene. The best lines throughout this film come from the parental figure characters. Some of them include Henry Allen, Elinore and Silas Stone, and Nuidis Vulko (Willem Dafoe). Perhaps this circles back to the theme of family. Parents just want what is best for their children.
While this Rated-R film is not necessarily for the family, it focuses on the family. Filmmaker Zack Snyder fought to have this cut of his cinematic project released for his immediate family and the fanbase family. Indeed, this version of Justice League was worth it. Many people who may be in a dark place — myself included — can look at the characters portrayed on screen and know: “You are not alone.” These very words appear on an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention billboard at one point in the film.
This world teaches us there is not just one way of living. There are other options, other choices to choose from. Explore what is ahead of you and remember those four words.
Autumn Snyder, you are not forgotten.
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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
