I'm a Marvel Fan, but Zack Snyder's Justice League Is Having Me Rethink My Allegiance

Published on 3/19/2021 at 12:59 PM

I was 21 minutes into the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League when I decided it was better than the film's theatrical cut. Despite sharing a name, characters, and certain plot points, the two versions couldn't be more different. It's a running joke that Marvel films are better than those featuring DC characters. I'm a Marvel stan through and through, but I'd go so far as to say that if more DC films were like the Snyder cut, people wouldn't make those jokes.

Following the death of Superman, Bruce Wayne sets out to recruit a team of metahumans to ensure his sacrifice was not in vain. The task proves harder than first imagined as the looming menace of an outside force, later revealed to be the villain Steppenwolf working in the name of Darkseid, threatens to destroy the planet. Eventually, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg put aside their differences and demons in the name of saving the world. Although the synopsis is reminiscent of the original theatrical run of Justice League, ahead are five of the biggest differences between the cuts and why you should give Snyder's version a watch.

Cyborg Being Front and Center

It wasn't clear just how minimized Ray Fisher's role as Cyborg was in the Joss Whedon cut of Justice League until the Zack Snyder cut was released. In the original, Cyborg felt like he was just along for the ride, despite the fact he was made from one of the Mother Boxes that were part of the central conflict. In the Zack Snyder cut, not only is his character fully realized, but he's an integral part of the film's plot. Cyborg's story now feels like a parallel to what is happening with the formation of the Justice League, which is important to the character development of the group as a whole.

Ray Fisher is truly the heart and soul of Justice League and the Zack Snyder cut feels like a triumph for him. Knowing we likely won't get to see more of Fisher's Victor Stone is even more heartbreaking as he truly deserves a standalone film.

The Justice League Actually Feels Like a Team

One of the biggest issues I had with Whedon's version of Justice League is that the Justice League never felt like a team. They were six superheroes that were working in proximity versus being a true team. With the Snyder cut, we get to see their motivations and reasonings behind being wary about joining Batman on his quest to create the team. We know why they ultimately want to save the world and they no longer feel as if they are a one-note imitation of their Marvel counterparts.

In this version, Batman and Wonder Woman's flirtation is subtle rather than out of character. Even the jokes that do make it into Snyder's version feel appropriate rather than a clumsy attempt at shifting the gritty tone of the film. Whedon's version felt focused on the CGI, aesthetics, and what the characters could do, not their motivations for doing things. Unlike Whedon's version, I didn't leave the Snyder cut confused as to what just happened. I left wanting more of the Justice League working together.

Character Additions Weren't Just Fan Service

Steppenwolf never felt like a villain worthy of a Justice League film, and the Snyder cut perfectly explains why. Steppenwolf was always meant to be a minion, not a big bad. With the addition of Darkseid and the cutting of the parademon fear subplot, the Justice League are actually working towards salvation of their world. The stakes seem higher and the evil more sinister.

Outside of the addition of Darkseid, other characters seen in Snyder's cut include the Joker, Vulko, Ryan Choi aka the Atom, Victor Stone's mother Elinore, Iris West, and J'onn J'onz aka Martian Manhunter. At face value, their additions seem like fan service as many of their appearances are little more than cameos. However, by including Elinore, audiences are able to see why Victor resents his father so much and why he faces such inner emotional termoil. Jared Leto's Joker shows what could have been had Snyder been able to continue his foray into the DC Universe. These characters also serve as catalysts for the Justice League's desire to save the world, in addition to giving the audience something to care for.

The Overarching Story Makes More Sense

There was always something missing from Whedon's version. The plot felt messy and the two-hour film seemed to drag on as it went from fight scene to fight scene. Despite being twice as long, it felt like almost no time passed while I watched the Snyder cut. Storylines that seemed out of place or nonsensical in the original suddenly had backstory and clear explanations. I actually CARED what happened to the Justice League at the end of the Snyder cut and was ready for more DC films. After watching Whedon's version, I just wanted to cleanse my palate with a few Marvel films since his felt like a shoddy imitation.

Not only did the overarching story make more sense in Snyder's version, it made me want to see his version through to the end. No fast-forwarding, no breaks. I needed to know how it all ended.

You Can Feel Zack Snyder's Passion For the Project

Comparing Whedon and Snyder's version is basically comparing apples to oranges. The directors had two different visions, even if parts of Whedon's Justice League felt like he was trying to replicate known Snyder hallmarks. I mean, the opening to the original Justice League is reminiscent of Snyder's Watchmen. Snyder finally got to see his vision through to the end and nearly every creative decision made was for the benefit of the production.

Even the actors seem to be more enthused in his version as opposed to the reshoots used for Whedon's. I can't exactly blame them after seeing how basically everyone's storylines were fleshed-out in the Snyder cut. Snyder also cares for the characters in a way that was absent from the original, with great care and detail going into each's realization. Beyond that, movies are just better when you know that there's a passion and fire behind the project from everyone involved.

Snyder stepped down as director during the original production of Justice League after his daughter Autumn died by suicide. He then dedicated the 2021 version to her with a card prior to the credits stating, "For Autumn."