Towards the end of the last decade, the release of Justice League‘s Snyder Cut was a significant cinematic moment, yet looking back four years later, it appears more like a lot of excitement for little consequence. An ardent fan movement that championed creative freedom initially seemed groundbreaking, but in retrospect, it seems more like a passing trend, given the events that followed.
It’s clear that the Snyder Cut surpasses the 2017 Justice League movie, which was later overseen by Joss Whedon and humorously dubbed “Josstice League” by fans. Snyder’s extended version addressed many of the original film’s issues, but it didn’t come without a price. After four years, one might wonder if the hype surrounding #ReleaseTheSnyderCut was justified. The answer is a firm no.
Is Zack Snyder’s Justice League Still Relevant In 2025?
The Snyder Cut Has A Complicated Legacy
From my perspective as a passionate fan, it seems that the DCEU, as we once knew it, has come to an end, and James Gunn’s DCU has stepped into its shoes. Initially, Justice League was intended to be the middle chapter of Zack Snyder’s vision, following Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, with a complete Justice League trilogy in store. However, those plans have been scrapped, along with the SnyderVerse. There are still whispers advocating for the return of the 300 director’s superhero universe, but they pale in comparison to the clamor for the Snyder Cut.
Four years ago, in 2021, when the Snyder Cut hit the screens, it felt like a monumental victory for us film enthusiasts. It showed that if fans make enough noise, studios might yield to our demands. Compared to Whedon’s version, it was a whopping four hours long, twice as much content! And guess what? It turned out to be the fourth most-streamed movie of the year, according to Variety. However, looking back now, was the years-long fan fervor, studio resistance, star power backing, and even alleged behind-the-scenes manipulation worth it? Not so much, in my opinion.
The Snyder Cut May Have Killed The DCEU At Large
Toxic Fandom, Overspending, & Warner Bros. Failure
| Zack Snyder Film | Extra Footage Added |
|---|---|
| 300 – Complete Experience | +6 min |
| Watchmen – Director’s Cut | +24 min |
| Watchmen – Ultimate Cut | +53 min |
| Sucker Punch – Extended Cut | +18 min |
| Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Ultimate Edition | +32 min |
| Zack Snyder’s Justice League | +120 min |
| Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (Extended Cut) | +18 min |
| Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (Extended Cut) | TBD |
While the release of The Snyder Cut could be seen as a triumph for fans, it has established a potentially harmful pattern. Unlike the demands for the eventual release of the Superman II: Richard Donner Cut, this campaign took a turn for the worse, resulting in harassment, boycotts, and even death threats directed at studio executives. An article published by Rolling Stone in July 2022 suggested that fraudulent accounts were instrumental in fueling the movement. Furthermore, it was reported that in June 2020, Snyder is said to have made a threatening remark towards producers Geoff Johns and Jon Berg.
Originally, Geoff and Jon have been hesitant about removing their names from my project. However, I’ll now publicly criticize or tarnish their reputation on social media platforms.
It’s possible that this whole situation contributed to the downfall of the DCEU. The demand for an unplanned sequel by fans made it difficult for Warner Bros. to establish a clear direction. Moreover, it revealed that the DCEU had been poorly managed from its inception. Despite the $70 million spent on the Snyder Cut, it didn’t significantly increase HBO Max subscriptions over time. When you consider the original movie’s $300 million production cost, Warner Bros. may have viewed the SnyderVerse as a financial dead end.
Essentially, the Snyder Cut has further fueled debates about Zack Snyder’s directorial style. While his extended versions of movies like Watchmen and Batman v Superman are often praised over their initial releases, it’s perplexing that he planned for both original and director’s cuts of the Rebel Moon films from the start, given that he had full control right away. Unfortunately, both versions of the Netflix films received poor reviews, with Snyder’s longer R-rated cuts receiving only mildly better reception. Frankly, this ongoing situation is becoming quite tiresome.
The Snyder Cut Improved Justice League, But Not Enough
A Black Suit Superman Can Only Go So Far
As a devoted cinephile, I’ve taken on the task of sharing my thoughts on Zack Snyder’s reimagined take on “Justice League.” While it surpasses Joss Whedon’s rendition, let’s be candid – that’s not saying much. This perspective might stir some debate among DCEU and Snyder enthusiasts, but it’s a viewpoint worth considering: The Snyder Cut doesn’t live up to the mythical masterpiece its fans envision. If the original “Justice League” felt like a disappointing film, this extended, slightly enhanced, yet still ordinary miniseries iteration didn’t change that sentiment. It could have functioned as a transitional film within the DC Snyderverse at the time, but it doesn’t resonate with where we stand today.
fundamentally, Whedon modified Snyder’s initial concept for Justice League, trimming it to accommodate the studio’s preferences. Warner Bros. showed dissatisfaction with Snyder’s creative path, particularly following the criticism of Batman v Superman. Consequently, the final product emerged as a disjointed, hurried, and occasionally confusing film. Characters and significant moments were abruptly introduced without adequate buildup, and the narrative leaned heavily on flimsy explanations and coincidences, making it challenging to invest emotion in any aspect.
Joss Whedon’s Justice League Vs. The Snyder Cut
Pick Your Poison
Snyder’s extended cut clearly demonstrated the extensive scenes excised. The revised script provided additional context, resolved plot inconsistencies, and made the narrative more cohesive. A significant portion was sacrificed in Whedon’s portrayal, particularly in character growth. Cyborg was given a substantial backstory and arc in this version, while The Flash and Aquaman became slightly more endearing. It was definitely sufficient to provide Barry Allen his solo film and Arthur Curry his sequel, but let’s avoid discussing that for now.
In the updated version, Ben Affleck’s Batman appeared more concentrated and less fatigued. Superman’s resurrection remained largely unchanged yet provided him with additional time to readjust. Without a doubt, Henry Cavill still donned the black suit stylishly. The climax, while not perfect, represented a significant improvement over the previous version’s hastily executed, excessive CGI chaos. It was also evident that Snyder shines when he narrates tales in his own timeframe, but regrettably, this pace is agonizingly slow.
The Biggest Problems With Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Overblown For The Sake Of Being Overblown
For those who appreciate a leisurely pace, there’s simply too much of it in this. Accelerating the action would shorten the film considerably. In some parts, the editing seems hasty, with scenes lingering far longer than is needed. Additionally, since many viewers had previously watched the 2017 movie, they were already aware of the plot twists. This made the extended dialogue and repeated explanations in the Snyder Cut feel especially tiresome.
In the film, the villain was complex, with room for improvement. The character Steppenwolf became more multidimensional in the Snyder Cut, transforming from a stereotypical evil figure into a fallen warrior seeking Darkseid’s approval again. This shift was refreshing, yet Darkseid tended to eclipse him. Instead of focusing on one powerful antagonist, the movie hinted at a larger menace without providing adequate buildup, resulting in a rushed feeling. Essentially, it reflected the DCEU’s attempt to keep pace with the MCU, an effort that ultimately fell short. Now, DC appears to be embarking on a new journey with a brighter interpretation of Superman as the starting point. Perhaps viewers are growing weary of dark, brooding, and sluggish movies?
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2025-03-26 15:38