In 2017 the world saw the release of Justice League, the long-awaited first cinematic team-up between all the greatest heroes of the DC universe. What should have been a glorious slam-dunk for the DCEU turned into a disaster, as mismanagement, a studio that didn't know what it wanted, a director who was forced to leave to deal with a tragedy, and a new director with a wildly different tone took their toll.
Justice League underperformed as critics and moviegoers savaged it, but this month fans will finally get to see Zack Snyder's Justice League, a four-hour-long director's cut that many hope will fix the movie's problems and give the Justice League the movie it deserves. Nonetheless, the original theatrical cut still has some good things about it that the Snyder Cut would do well to heed.
Theatrical: The Flash Is The Audience Surrogate
Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller) is a very different character in the Snyder Cut than he is in the theatrical version. Yet the general outsider dorkiness of Barry Allen in Justice League makes him one of the more endearing characters in the movie, and for comic book fans, he is very much an audience surrogate. He isn't as brave as the other Leaguers, he's awkward, he jumps at the chance to hang around with Batman, and throws in a pop culture reference when needed.
Snyder Cut: The Man Of Steel Returns
Despite a couple of good moments, the character in the theatrical cut that received the biggest shift in personality - to say nothing of fan complaints - was Superman. The theatrical version made a concerted effort to twist Superman (Henry Cavill) into one perhaps closer to the comics or Superman: The Animated Series, which could have worked if the dialogue hadn't felt forced and unlike anything Superman said in previous movies. Worse, the effects on Cavill's face to remove his Mission: Impossible - Fallout mustache were terrible. If nothing else, Zack Snyder's Justice League will restore the real DCEU Man of Steel.
Theatrical: Pet Sematary Superman
While Superman was badly served by the Justice League theatrical cut, there was at least one great scene with him, and that's when he returns from the dead. As the Mother Box resurrects him, a shirtless Superman stops at his monument in Metropolis which was destroyed by Doomsday.
Superman is confused to see Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg there, especially as only Diana seems pleased to see him, and the rest are incredibly nervous. Superman attacks them and a fantastic fight breaks out, with a highlight being his ability to keep up with Flash. In the end, it's only Lois Lane who manages to calm him down.
Snyder Cut: Darkseid Is
When the reshoots for Justice League began, it was obvious that the movie would not be getting the planned Avengers: Endgame-style second part, and so the cliffhanger ending was removed. Aside from a single mention, Steppenwolf's boss Darkseid doesn't make an appearance in the theatrical cut. The Snyder Cut will reintroduce Darkseid in a big way, with multiple scenes, teases, background information, and even reinstating actor Ray Porter as the villain. As Darkseid is the biggest villain in the DC universe, this is a major addition to the movie.
Theatrical: Steppenwolf Feels Like A Significant Threat
While Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds) was never meant to be the only villain of Justice League and is occasionally subject to some bad CGI, he is still a dangerous opponent, and audiences can believe that the Justice League would have trouble taking him on. His successful attacks on both Themyscira and Atlantis early in the movie solidifies him as a force to be reckoned with, and he even manages to unsettle the normally calm Diana with the comment about how his "ax is still slick with the blood of your sisters."
Snyder Cut: No Embarrassing Scenes (We Hope)
While Zack Snyder's Justice League has yet to be released, fans are hoping that it'll fix all the problems with the theatrical cut, chief among them being some deeply embarrassing scenes. All the scenes with the Russian family can safely be exorcised, as they add nothing to the narrative, but there are multiple moments that are meant to funny and are anything but.
The scene between Martha Kent and Lois Lane with a swearing woman on the TV and Lois being described as "thirsty", for example, or the "amusing" moment when Flash falls and lands on Wonder Woman's breasts. These scenes need to be removed.
Theatrical: A Brisk Pace With Few Boring Moments
If there's one fact about Zack Snyder's Justice League director's cut that would shock most moviegoers, it's that it's a terrifying four hours long. While that won't be a problem for home viewing, such as on HBO Max, any showing in theaters would be an exercise in endurance for even the most passionate fan. By comparison, the theatrical cut of Justice League is a brisk two hours, and while that means that a lot was cut out, there is so much content in there that there isn't a dull moment and the plot moves along swiftly.
Snyder Cut: It's An Epic, Not A Superhero Movie
Any fan who's seen the trailer for Zack Snyder's Justice League has probably got the hint that it isn't just an extended director's cut of 2017's Justice League. While the theatrical cut had high stakes it often didn't feel that impressive, as if it was cutting around the really major stuff, and once Superman returned there was really no threat, as shown when he beats Steppenwolf and saves the day without effort. The Snyder Cut already feels more of an epic, with ancient evils, an alien invasion, a nightmare future timeline, and a threat even Superman might not be able to stop.
Theatrical: It Sets Up An Intriguing Sequel
One of the weirdest facts about Justice League and its own director's cut is that apparently, they will have completely different endings and set up entirely unique sequels. Justice League 2017 seemingly dismisses the Apokolips storyline with the humiliation of Steppenwolf, and instead, the post-credits scene brings back Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) and introduces Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello). The pair lament the formation of the Justice League and plan "a league of their own." The introduction of the Legion of Doom/Injustice League would have been an interesting place to take Justice League 2.
Snyder Cut: It Sets Up A Better Sequel
While the introduction of the Legion of Doom under Lex Luthor would have made a fun follow-up to Justice League, Zack Snyder always had a far more epic plan in mind. Justice League was only meant to be the first part of a two-part story, similar to Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The first part would deal with the formation of the Justice League, the return of Superman, and the attempted takeover of Earth by Steppenwolf. The sequel would be completely dedicated to the full invasion by Darkseid and the attempts to fix the nightmare future and could've been incredible. It's up to Warner Bros to decide whether or not it's going to happen now.