Snyder’s cut really is in a different League DC fan service delivered to the max

The feeling of disappointment surrounding 2017’s Justice League was palpable; the departure of original director Zack Snyder due to personal tragedy and arrival of replacement Joss Whedon resulted in the ultimate franken-movie clash of tones.

During the proceeding years, fans created a vociferous movement – complete with petitions delivered to Warner Bros – for the release of the “Snyder cut” to see the original vision created for the superhero team-up by the man who helmed Man of Steel and Batman v Superman.

And the studio finally bowed to the swell of pressure, handing Snyder an additional $70 million to film reshoots to hone his whopping four-hour long version of Justice League, screening on streaming service HBO Max in the US and on Sky Cinema here.

So, was it worth the long-term call to arms and does it live up to the hype? In a word, yes.

The most obvious improvement is it actually feels epic, as DC’s version of The Avengers should.

There’s a lot more emotion too and, as a result, you are much more invested in what is happening.

Many characters – particularly Ray Fisher’s Cyborg – are fleshed out and though Ezra Miller’s Flash is still the comic relief, it’s nowhere near as annoying or in your face as before.

Villain Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds) is well-rounded with clear motivations – being out to prove himself – and is injected with greater menace.

This cut is also a natural progression from Snyder’s previous two DCEU flicks; watched together they really feel like a trilogy, with his trademark slo-mo sequences and darker colour palette and tonal approach.

The film is improved as much by what it removes from the 2017 version as with its added footage. Gone is most of Whedon’s attempts at Marvel-style humour, inexplicably quick, often unexplained, plot developments and, most importantly, Henry Cavill’s (Superman) dodgy CGI moustache coverage!

Snyder delivers fan service to the max, especially with the introduction of a surprise new addition to the League and the Knightmare sequence giving redemption to Jared Leto’s divisive Joker.

The obvious criticisms are it’s too long and overuses CGI. There’s no doubt there are moments and scenes that could have been left on the cutting room floor and occasionally your senses are bombarded by digital effects that blur together.

However, overall, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a triumph, particularly for DC buffs, that makes it nigh on impossible to return to the 2017 movie – and leaves you salivating for a sequel.

●What are your thoughts on Zack Snyder’s Justice League and how it compares to the 2017 version?

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