Flashback to 2021, and you couldn’t find a bigger hater of the Snyderverse than me. Hell, I even danced on its grave when we received word that it was finally over.
However, flash-forward (DC pun not intended) to 2026, and I’ve actually come around on the failed DCEU. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t in love with James Gunn‘s Superman, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest whatsoever in Supergirl (and apparently, I’m not alone), but I’ve been giving Zack Snyder’s DC movies another chance recently, and oh, man. I think I owe Zack Snyder yet ANOTHER apology.
You see, I already apologized for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and after rewatching the four hour long Zack Snyder’s Justice League, I have to apologize again, because this movie is amazing. Here’s why.
I Originally Thought This Movie Was Way Too Long. But Now, It Feels Just Right When It Comes To Pacing
You want to know what’s crazy? Not too long ago, I rewatched Joss Whedon’s version of Justice League, which is only two hours long, and it’s so bad that it actually feels LONGER than Snyder’s version, which is literally double the runtime. I think this is because Whedon’s Justice League feels aimless and dull, whereas Snyder’s version has direction and vision. And look, no offense to Whedon, as he was given the impossible task of reshooting aspects of Snyder’s movie into something feasible for the big screen, but his version just does not work.
However, after rewatching Zack Snyder’s Justice League, I am in awe at how he was able to take all of these characters and still have it all make sense. For example, in his version, Batman and Wonder Woman’s quest to assemble a team really feels cohesive and organic, whereas in Whedon’s version, it all feels like a hurried mess, which is strange because it also feels plodding.
We get more backstory for all of the characters in Snyder’s version, as well as a true villain in Darkseid, who I’ll get into later. Snyder’s version is also (surprise, surprise) way darker in tone than Whedon’s version, which is also something I now appreciate over the more upbeat Superman from James Gunn.
Honestly, it’s really weird that all of the things that I once hated about the Snyderverse – the overseriousness, the darker tone, etc – I now view as pluses. However, I think there’s one reason in particular why I love this movie now.
Cyborg’s Story Is The Heart Of This Movie
One character who I always thought never got his time to shine when it came to the Snyderverse was Cyborg. Played by Ray Fisher, you could tell that he had a bigger role in Whedon’s Justice League, but there was just something…missing.
In Zack Snyder’s Justice League, however, almost the entire plot hinges on Cyborg’s role in the story. The fact that his role was truncated so much in Whedon’s version just goes to show you why that film felt like such a mess, because Victor Stone’s (Cyborg) role is absolutely vital in Snyder’s cut.
Stone’s father, Silas (Joe Morton), is kidnapped, and Cyborg joins the team. He was a former athlete and had to be reconstructed after a horrible car accident, so his journey as a broken man to one of the saviors of the world is thoughtful and surprisingly heartfelt.
Also, being that Cyborg has such a connection to this film’s Macguffin in the Mother Boxes, he’s essentially the most important character in the entire film, and I really appreciate that when watching this a second time.
I Also Find All Of The Characters-Even The Flash-To Be Interesting In This Film
You know, when I first saw Zack Snyder’s Justice League, I still very much loathed all of the scenes involving Ezra Miller‘s The Flash. Upon a second viewing, I find that I actually like him, as well as pretty much every other member of the Justice League this time around. It might be because I, like others, actually enjoyed the eventual Flash movie that came out in 2023 (I even wrote about how it annoyed me that it didn’t do better at the box office).
The Flash is incredibly important in this film. When the world starts to be destroyed, The Flash has to reverse the flow of time using the Speed Force, which allows Superman (Henry Cavill) and Cyborg to get the job done.
And, what about Aquaman? I liked Jason Momoa‘s first Aquaman movie – to a certain extent – but I found him super annoying in Justice League. However, I guess adding more screen time for him makes him more interesting this time around. I also think that learning more about the other metahumans and the Atlanteans makes him feel more at home here.
Not only that, but this movie has freaking Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix) in it. I mean, it’s at the end, and it’s pretty much just a cameo, but at least he’s here. What’s not to love?
I Also Love This Version Of Darkseid
I know I keep harping on Joss Whedon’s Justice League, but a big reason why I feel that movie failed was that its main antagonist, Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), was super lame. It’s just that he didn’t seem like a worthy opponent for the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, or The Flash.
In Zack Snyder’s Justice League…well, he’s still pretty lame, but much better since you don’t feel like he’s the REAL final boss. The main boss would be Ray Porter’s Darkseid, who is a way more terrifying villain and an existential threat to humanity.
Darkseid is all about that Anti-Life Equation, and we learn that he’s been a threat to Earth for millennia, what with the Old Gods waging war against him to prevent him from taking over the planet. All of this backstory really elevates the danger he presents, making him feel like a truly worthy adversary.
Unfortunately, since this was pretty much the end of the DCEU, we never got to see Darkseid get his own movie where he got to be the central villain, but I really appreciate what we got in this movie. He’s absolutely horrifying.
In The End, The Further We Get Away From The Snyderverse, The More I Find That I Miss It
When looking at the upcoming slate of DC films (and TV–let’s not forget about TV), I think there’s a lot to look forward to (Especially when it comes to Clayface, which I can’t wait for!) Yet…I kind of now miss the Snyderverse.
I don’t know what it is. It might be because I used to pledge allegiance to the MCU, and I think I viewed the DCEU as a pathetic alternative. After getting off the Marvel hype train quite a while ago, I’ve since been reevaluating the Snyderverse, and I think I had it all wrong.
Was it too dark and broody? Maybe, but upon reflection, it was actually a novel alternative to the overly cheery MCU. I now find that I get nothing out of movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy upon a rewatch, and I view them more as artifacts than anything else.
Movies like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Batman v. Superman? They just seem to get better with age. So, if you happen to be reading this, Mr. Snyder. I’m sorry! Your fans were right all along, and I’m happy that the powers that be eventually RELEASED THE SNYDER CUT!
