Zack Snyder's Justice League ★
Zack Snyder
Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa
Zack Snyder's supposed masterpiece has been a talking point since the original Justice League released in 2017. And now, after years of waiting...the Snyder cut has arrived.
The expectation going in was that reshoots and fresh editing was going to save a giant mess of a film; and Snyder has polished that mess with an even darker palette and an uncomplimentary 4:3 aspect ratio.
It is easy to compare the new cut to the original; more relevance to Cyborg (Ray Fisher) is a positive, and a better version of Steppenwolf is appreciated too. But to critique it as its own entity, it is a confused, incomprehensible film trying hastily to compete with the likes of rival superhero universes.
It's originality comes in its darkness, but that adds a grimy feel to the four-hour epic and most moments of CGI were grossly unrealistic. The shots too were unoriginal, and the film used its "quirky" aspect ratio to shield that.
Gal Gadot tries her best to keep this thing afloat; having badass moments of combat accompanied by Wonder Woman's monumental musical motif. She is the best part of the DCEU and Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill merely cower in her shadow.
Part of the reason the plot was so difficult to follow was because the dialogue was slurred and badly written. At several points, I was left wondering what was going on, along with those watching alongside me. I can say that the film was well paced, but I can't officially confirm what it was the film was pacing itself for.
The epilogue chapter of the very long story is full to the brim of fan service and nothing feels resolute. Knowing that the future of the DCEU is uncertain makes these moments feel pointless and an extra 20 minutes of unnecessary filler. Snyder promised 4 hours, he had to fill that somehow.
Reshoots, new CGI and lots of slow motion clearly cannot save an originally terrible superhero movie. And no matter how hard the cast try, neither can they.
Zack Snyder's Justice League available now on NowTV and Sky Cinema