Review: Zack Synder's Justice League (2021)

19 March 2023
synder cut justice league

From Tragedy to Triumph: The Story of Zack Snyder's Justice League


After years of anticipation and campaigning, Zack Snyder's Justice League dropped in 2021 and it's safe to say that it was worth the wait being 5 years since the original version.

This epic superhero film brings together some of DC's most beloved heroes, including Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, The Flash, and Superman, for an action-packed adventure that's sure to delight fans.

At the heart of this film is Snyder's unwavering vision and commitment to his craft. Despite facing personal tragedy during the original production of Justice League in 2017, Snyder persevered and was able to return to the project to see his vision through. The result is a film that is both emotionally powerful and visually stunning.

One of the most significant changes that Snyder made to the story was to remove Joss Whedon's rewrites and restore the original narrative that he had intended. This move allowed Snyder to explore the themes of unity and hope that are central to the Justice League, giving the film a much-needed depth and gravitas.

Additionally, the new CGI in the film is a vast improvement over the original, with stunning visual effects and action sequences that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Zack Snyder's Justice League 2021 is a triumph that will satisfy fans of the superhero genre and leave them wanting more.

The plot of the Synder Cut

Justice League follows the story of Batman, played by Ben Affleck, and Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot, as they recruit a team of superheroes to defend the world against an impending threat from the villainous Steppenwolf and his master, the powerful alien Darkseid.

The film begins with the world mourning the death of Superman, who sacrificed himself in the previous film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, to stop the monstrous creature Doomsday. In the aftermath of Superman's death, Steppenwolf arrives on Earth and begins searching for three powerful "Mother Boxes" that, when combined, will give him the power to conquer the universe.

Batman and Wonder Woman form a team of superheroes, including The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), to stop Steppenwolf and prevent him from obtaining the Mother Boxes. However, their mission is complicated by personal conflicts and the fact that they are up against an enemy who is much more powerful than they anticipated.

As the team battles Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons, they discover that the villain's true master is Darkseid, an even more powerful and dangerous threat. In a climactic battle, the heroes must work together to stop Steppenwolf, prevent Darkseid from invading Earth, and save the world from certain doom.

Along the way, the film explores themes of redemption, family, and the power of teamwork. Each of the characters has their own personal journey and backstory, and the film gives them all a chance to shine and develop as individuals. The story is also filled with Easter eggs and references to the larger DC Comics universe, including nods to iconic storylines and characters.

This film is massively different from the original Whedon release

Zack Snyder's Justice League is vastly different from the original theatrical release of Justice League in many ways. Here are some of the significant differences:
  1. Storyline: The biggest difference between the two versions is the storyline. Snyder's version is a complete reimagining of the story, which includes new characters (Joker), more backstory, and a darker tone.
  2. Character development: Snyder's version gives each of the characters more depth and development. The Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman, in particular, have much more fleshed-out story arcs.
  3. Villain: The villain in Snyder's version is Steppenwolf, who is much more menacing and fleshed out than the version in the theatrical release. His character look was redone with CGI.
  4. Cinematography: Snyder's version has a more distinct visual style, with a darker and grittier look that fits with the tone of the story.
  5. Runtime: Snyder's version is significantly longer than the theatrical release, clocking in at four hours, compared to the two-hour runtime of the original.
  6. Music: The music in Snyder's version is different, with composer Junkie XL providing a new score that fits with the tone of the story.
  7. Dialogue: The dialogue in Snyder's version is more natural and less quippy than the theatrical release. Basically, Joss Whedon was removed from this film.
  8. Visual Effects: The visual effects in Snyder's version are much more polished and impressive than the version in the theatrical release.
  9. Humor: The humor in Snyder's version is more organic and less forced than the theatrical release. Again, the film was 'de-Whedonned'. 


Overall, Snyder's version is a much more cohesive and complete story, with a darker tone and more character development. It's clear that Snyder had a clear vision for the story he wanted to tell, and he was finally able to see it through with the release of his version. The reception to his version of Justice League has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans and critics praising it as a significant improvement over the original theatrical release.

Themes of the Synder Cut

One of the most prominent themes in Zack Snyder's Justice League 2021 is the idea of unity. Throughout the film, the various members of the Justice League come together to fight a common enemy, putting aside their differences and working towards a shared goal. This message of teamwork and cooperation is a powerful one, especially in a world that often feels divided.

Another central theme of the film is the idea of hope. Despite facing overwhelming odds, the heroes of the Justice League remain determined and optimistic, always believing that they can make a difference. This message is particularly poignant given the difficult times we are living in, and it's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope.

joker leto synder cut

The return of Jared Leto's Joker

One of the most surprising additions to Zack Snyder's Justice League was the appearance of the Joker in the film's epilogue. The character, famously played by Jared Leto, was not a part of the original theatrical release and was not expected to be a part of Snyder's version either. However, Snyder revealed in an interview that he had always planned to include the Joker in his vision of the Justice League story.

The scene takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where Batman, played by Ben Affleck, is leading a group of rebels against the evil Superman, who has been corrupted by Darkseid. In this future world, the Joker and Batman have formed an uneasy alliance to try and stop Superman, and the scene features a tense conversation between the two characters as they discuss their past and present situation.

Many fans were excited to see the Joker back on screen, and Leto's performance was praised as a highlight of the film's epilogue. Leto's Joker is a departure from previous versions of the character, with his long hair and tattoos, but he brings menacing energy to the role that fits with the darker tone of Snyder's vision.

The addition of the Joker also adds another layer to the already complex relationship between Batman and the Joker. The two characters have a long history of animosity in the comics and previous films, and their uneasy alliance in the post-apocalyptic future of Snyder's version adds an interesting twist to their dynamic.

Trivia Items About Zack Snyder's Justice League

  1. The film's original runtime was over four hours, but it was eventually cut down to just under four hours for the final release.
  2. Snyder originally left the production of Justice League due to the death of his daughter, but he returned to the project after fans campaigned for his version of the film to be released.
  3. The character of Cyborg was originally supposed to have a much smaller role in the film, but Snyder expanded his storyline after seeing how powerful actor Ray Fisher's performance was.
  4. The Joker, played by Jared Leto, makes a cameo appearance in the film, marking his first appearance in the DC Extended Universe since Suicide Squad in 2016.
  5. The final battle scene in the film features over 100,000 CGI characters, making it one of the most ambitious action sequences in superhero film history.
  6. The film's score was composed by Tom Holkenborg, also known as Junkie XL, who previously worked with Snyder on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
  7. Snyder's cut of the film features several characters and plot points that were completely removed from the theatrical release, including the Martian Manhunter and the Knightmare sequence.
  8. The film's opening sequence features a song by Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid, which was chosen by Snyder after he heard it playing on his daughter's playlist.
  9. The original production of Justice League was plagued by reshoots and studio interference, leading to a disjointed and unsatisfying final product.
  10. Snyder's version of Justice League has been widely praised by fans and critics alike, with many calling it a significant improvement over the theatrical release.
  11. Synder's next film is Rebel Moon for Netflix.

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My name is Jimmy Jangles, the founder of The Astromech. I have always been fascinated by the world of science fiction, especially the Star Wars universe, and I created this website to share my love for it with fellow fans.

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