Zack Snyder is probably one of the most polarizing directors in Hollywood. Some people love him, some hate him but very few actually seem to be left indifferent with his films.
As a cinematographer his skills are beyond any doubt. He’s naturally gifted, that kind of gift that you are born with and comes out by the spark of inspiration, something that is easily discernible in his unique visual style and insane choreographies.
So much so that you can find some pretty hilarious videos about his work all over the internet.
However most of the criticism he receives seems to be focused at his storytelling ability as a filmmaker and not at the visual effects. But that’s a subject for another day, for now let’s talk about his newest movie.
Justice League
Though it’s not easy to observe but in the prequel movie Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Snyder had already shown some considerable changes in Snyder’s storytelling technique. He seemed more patient with the viewer and more dedicated to engage with the audience by planting all kinds of clever easter eggs in the story line as well and foreshadowing important events that are to come.
Take for example this 4 minute foreshadowing scene that gives a sneak peak of a future world ruled by Darkseid (the main villain of Justice league Part Two) and where Superman has gone dark.
The main aspect to that foreshadowing scene is Barry Allen - “The Flash” - when he says: “It’s Lois, it’s Lois Lane! She’s the key. Am I too soon?”
Now, before we get to Justice League and why the film seem to be disappointing so many fans and critics, it’s important to recall that Zack Snyder had initially stepped down from the movie after the tragic death of his daughter Autumn.
He was then replaced with Joss Whedon who didn’t hesitate in taking some seriously drastic measures and cutting off some significantly important scenes that may or may not have disrupted the flow of the movie.
When Snyder came back, there is still no word on what happened to those scenes, which is why so many people are asking the studio to release the Snyder’s cut.
Kill Your Darlings, Don’t Kill the Flow
Kill your babies is probably one of the most important axioms that many storytellers go by as they polish their work. An adage that revolves around reducing the amount of fluff in the story so that it flows in a manner that captivate the audience.
But in Justice League however, it seems like they took that measure to questionable extremes. It's like you need to trim your hair just a tiny bit, but instead of going to the hairdresser you go seek a butcher, and while at it you change the scissors for the meat cleaver.
Take that foreshadowing scene we just mentioned, that scene was supposed to play into this movie as well, and its continuation is designed to build anticipation for the next one Justice League Part Two, being Darkseid the ultimate villian in the final movie.
But this is not what happened.
Whatever Happened to Dark Superman?
Imagine the initial surprise of the fans when they see Clark Kent rising up as evil Superman instead.
The first thing that comes to mind would be the foreshadowing scene aforementioned, which will probably cause the viewers to immediately start wondering if this is the point where Superman goes bad and helps bring upon that apocalyptic world that was previously teased.
And just like - by creating uncertainty and wonder - you manage to keep the audience on their toes until the final showdown.
Now, by chopping that scene you remove that emotional roller-coaster and you replace it by the stereotypical Superman version where he’s supposed to be some kind of universal ideal that all mothers want as a son-in-law.
A little underwhelming to be honest as you lose some significant depth.
But the consequences of that removed scene do not stop there. You see, by cutting that continuation scene out, you also lose the connecting part that The Flash plays in showing Batman how Lois Lane is the key - which is equally important to the flow of the story.
Instead, this was replaced with a short scene where Superman was beating the living daylight out of everyone, and all of the sudden Alfred opens his car door, Lois comes out and Superman becomes nice 30 seconds later.
The hero’s struggle, the personal demons, the inner battle...etc? Fuck that shit! Cuuuutttt!
Dude, Whatever Happened to the Build Up?
The biggest mistake that Joss Whedon reportedly did in my opinion, was when he entirely removed Darkseid’s entrance scene from the movie.
If that’s the biggest villain you have, then you pretty much need to spend some time building his character as well as the threat that he represents.
Something like what The Walking Dead did with Negan’s entrée en scène, or what Marvel is doing with Thanos.
When you see the Comic Con’s trailers and you hear the public screaming any time Thanos appears on screen, you realize that it’s because they have built in so much connection with the character that it starts to resonate with the audience that start to respond to him.
That’s the crucial part of the build-up, to make sure that the audience have an emotional attachment to the characters.
And that’s why Justice League may have made a terrible mistake by neglecting the build up. Which raises a very important question.
Now, how are you going to introduce the biggest antagonist of all your movies?
“Hello, my name is Darkseid and you’re supposed to fear me”.
On top of it all, they missed out on all the anticipation they could’ve built for the next movie by not introducing the character earlier, and not creating hype around it months in advance like other blockbusters do.
From Strategic Partnerships to Self-Destruction
Snyder’s original cut has some very clever elements that seemed that they were almost strategically implanted in the storyline.
It’s like a induced butterfly effect where you introduce some small changes now to have a massive outcome a few more scenes down the road.
It seems as if almost each of these scenes were scripted with the intention to create anticipation for the upcoming sequel while at the same time appealing to a certain fan-base by teasing a major role for their favorite character.
For The Flash audience it was the introduction of Iris West in this scene - also chopped off - and more importantly, we shouldn’t forget that the cool visuals of the scene were actually heavily promoted in the official trailer, yet never to be seen in the final cut.
Not to mention, you miss out on some build up and anticipation for the Flashpoint movie as well.
Also reportedly cut from the movie were two Green Lanterns, where despite months of spoilers and theories from both fans and critics alike, and despite all the curiosity and anticipation generated with cast members accidental reveals, costume leaks, and all the buzz generated about seeing the Lanterns in action and who plays then, but in the end, it all apparently ended up in a deleted scene.
Here again, after building up so much anticipation in the scene, you delete it and end up letting certain fans down. This starts to add up and you can’t help but create a certain sense of disappointment all around.
Plus, you also lose on building buzz for the upcoming Green Lantern Corps movie.
As you see, all these scenes seemed to be designed to appeal to certain different audiences and combine their fan power. However, for some reason they never made the cut.
The same thing happened with Black Canary who also had her scene chopped away apparently, a scene that was probably going to help build excitement around another highly anticipated DC movie Gotham City Sirens with Harley Quinn.
Even Vikings fans got excited when the rumor started to circulate that it was Katheryn Winnick (the badass heroine of the series) that was supposedly playing Black Canary. But then all of that excitement turned into disappointment as the scene was also chopped off, like so many cool scenes that were as crucial to the flow of the story line as to building up the next movie.
And then you start to understand why everyone wants to see the Snyder's cut as well.
But from all these mysteriously deleted scenes, mention apart deserves the official trailer’s cliffhanger.
You build a trailer with so much momentum and so much mystery that you have fans and critics speculating for months on end. You tease the appearance of a new superhero and leave them with a cliffhanger, you make them want more.
You let them theorize all summer long about the identity of the mysterious new character. You go to Comic-Con and all sorts of events and you do all sorts of interviews and you keep teasing, making people wait for the movie to see the ultimate reveal.
And then you chop the scene off… Because potato.
Imagine if Negan’s cliffhanger in The Walking Dead ended by them removing that Lucille scene all together and moving on. I think fans would’ve chased them away with rotten tomatoes and expired eggs.
Closing Thoughts
Justice League was far from a fantastic movie in my opinion. Was it all Snyder’s fault? Personally, I feel that there is no way to know that until the Snyder’s cut is released.
All things considered, it seems that there were way too many key scenes that were removed that it ended up affecting the flow of the story line.
Moral of the story: Never use a chainsaw for what you can do with a pair scissors.
I do not like Justice League, as superman is too OP! And the film have many things that copy from marvel. Just like a copy cat.
Too many similarities you're right, even now they both have Part1 and Part 2 of all the superheroes combined.. At the same time :P
Warning! Warning!
For those who haven't seen the movie yet, the next comment contains a massive spoiler; turn back now, those who are still jazzed to see the film this week, because they were too busy over the holidays --- turn back; DO NOT READ THE NEXT COMMENT!!!
@the-alien, brilliant post brother!
Every time you write something I learn something
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I haven't seen Justice League yet, but based on everything else Zac Snyder's done (with an exception of 300), I don't understand why he keeps getting work.
Hahaha Dawn of the Dead wasn't half bad either.
Is it bad that I never heard of the guy?
Haha no, you don't like superhero movies. That's not bad at all :)
Sadly, Josh Whedon injected his "humor" into this film and did it a large disservice. The Marvelization of comic book movies is to make the bad guy not a problem, not really, and the end of the world is always a funny team building exercise. Movies like Logan have shown that drama can work well in comic book movies, but WB seems determined to follow "the Marvel formula". And the audience loses.
Definitely agree that Snyder is a talented director. However he definitely has made a lot of mistakes. With Justice League Superman's resurrection was totally rushed. The build up was good but the end result left me very unsatisfied. I wanted a huge disastrous scene. What we got was 5 minutes of action and then Louis Lane shows up and everything is okay again Clark is back. Snyder could have made an amazing scene where Superman goes on an evil rampage. All the fans, including myself, would have loved this and it would have made for a much better film.
I think what you're saying is what was in the original cut, superman went evil for a while and then it took them a lot of struggle to bring him back, it was a 3 hours long movie reports say. But it was all edited out and changed by that quick 2 minute battle scene.
Thanks for the awesome feedback btw!
The five minute beat down of the other Justice Leaguers was also my favourite, had me fanboying over superman again. Stretching the scene any longer than the five minutes would have been a little too much from my POV and would have taken from the actual evil overlord turning earth into a fire and blood planet.
Nice film story
Thanks :)
I haven't seen it, but I generally lower standards for most movies so I can still enjoy it instead of being a complete nit-picker etc. Haha
I would probably half like it, but I don't get to the movies much and wait for the DVD or Netflix release.
Yeah you're not missing anything anyways. Waiting for DVD and release is often the best choice. I do it to most of the time as well.
Hello again @the-alien
Didn't know you were a comics fan, or is it just the movies?
Well, I agree with what you say about they cutting too much. They cut the scene with all the foreshadowing the same exact way the cut Tony Stark's heavy alcoholism problem and his inner Demons, making him their inhouse baddass anti-hero with no background noise or psychological baggage you can see in the books.
All in all, this is all due to the comics and the movies having very different audiences. They try to cater to children and their mothers instead of the grown ups (the children of the golden comics time) and hence streamline the movies, dumbing them down and pushing the audience they would supposedly be meant for out of the theaters... but they get more box office money this way so... what should we expect.
Marvelous post... by the way, I didn't know they cut Lagertha... how dare they!?
Hey, I'm not a comic fan, just the movies :)
I think you nailed it completely, maybe they cater to other audiences. As you said moms and kids maybe.
It's definitely seems like they cut on depth.
Thanks for the awesome comment btw!
Ah man, don't know... the idea of Justice League just doesn't do it for me, I was always a Marvel guy I guess. Peace.
I watch everything, though I'm sure that the next Marvel Infinity War will be far better than Justice league.
I like this.... Because my favorit film...
I'm glad you do
wow amazing
I'm glad you liked it :) Thanks
I have not seen it yet, but it seems like all of the movies anymore they rush the plot and do not have the depth they should, not to mention most movies now barely make it one hour thirty minutes.
Yeah depth was definitely lacking in this one. You're right.
300, the first one, was great!
Yeah it was a good one
in these trailers 300 were really awesome movie...
after that the justice league 2017
Dude i love this post i agree with your critics about him! His last movie had to be better in many ways
I didn't see the movie. They've been feeling to commercial, like they're just made to make money and they don't really invest in telling the story or building the characters. Having all sorts of CGI and effects has made quite a few film makers sloppy. They rely on the effects and not the story or the characters. Thanks for your review!
@the-alien Zack really knows how to move camera. :)
That he does!
Zack syndney is a good director. Everybody has a least something they lack in them. Justice league has sold widely and has reached a wider audience which is a great accomplishment for him.
I think no ones argues he's a good director, he's brilliant at certain aspects. :)
Interesting post.And nice film story.I also Upvote and resteem it.Upvote and resteem done..
Haha thank you :)
wow you are a very talented writer @the-alien! wishing you a prosperous new year.
Thank you very much. I wish you a very prosperous year as well!
Interesting review. I haven't seen the movie and don't usually see comic movies but maybe Snyder's leaving due to his daughter's death gave too much freedom for his work to become of lesser importance as it seems there are now calls for the Snyder cuts.
I think sometimes the DC Films are trying too hard to be different than Marvel as everybody compares the two. DC needs to establish a common plan and stick with it, I think every DC film has been different to each other and they are trying to find their own voice, looks like they are all over the place. Never the less, I do enjoy DC films and cannot wait for Aquaman. I don't think Syner is a good storyteller, visually he is a King.
The best part is that they all have different directors with different styles, and that will only help giving each movie its own story and voice as you said.
I'm looking forward to Gotham City Sirens, wonder how it would look like. I think Aquaman will be cool btw.
Super excited for Gotham City Sirens!
It was a hot mess! :)
Haha between hot mess and cold shower :P
to me it was more like a video game movie what the hell was going on in that lol only great thing was
Haha it had that sense didn't it?
wonder woman had all the sense ;)
Your review was way superior than the whole movie alone
Haha you're way too kind! Thanks a lot Cityslicker!
haha i missed the super girl lol
it was kind of ok
Haha no one knows if that was supergirl or someone else, they never revealed who was in the trailer's cliffhanger.
Yeah it was kind of ok.
when the trailer dropped i was like wowowoww
but then the movie came hhaha
Haha yeah! Even scenes from the trailer they cut off. Such a difference!
mistakes has happened no doubt about that but if not repeated in future that would be the thing
Yeah true, looking forward to how they set up part 2
Alfred was too excited lol bu the director had some other thing in mind lol
Haha I'm sure he was ;)
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super man was buried as it is just like he was waiting to get rebirth that was epic moment in the movie
Oh for me it was the first fight between the old gods and the parademons, I think there were so many cool scenes in the movie :)
Hit that right on the pocket. I had just watched Justice League, and it seems that there is something lacking with the movie. I think that the character introductions (aquaman, cyborg and flash) were way too long and filled up with easter eggs that it took up too much screen time cramming all that. It also doesn't feel like they are the justice league. More like "Superman and his allies". As soon as Superman arrived at the battlefield, he doesn't even break a sweat beating Steppenwolf. While Batman, WW, Aquaman, Cyborg and Flash were all beaten like flies.
Oh I totally agree! It seems as if a big battle was gonna be set up, because they were all struggling with Steppenwolf, and then Superman arrives "is this guy bothering you? And 30 seconds later, it was easily over.
That was kind of a let down to be honest. Thanks for the great input!
The most honest review and a great post once again :)
Thank you Wandering, I tried to give it the most upfront analysis I can :)
haha you write some very crystal clear post's i like your style
Thanks, I'm glad it was clear :)
nice moral to end the things up with ;) awesome post
Haha thanks! :)
amongst all this movies the 300 is the best movies
That seems to be the general consensus yeah.
it's been spreading all over the world
if u don't believe then black superman will tell you by himself when he will delivering the gift instead of "santa claus "
ignore that lame joke
good job @the-alien
keep it up
support the new ones
Nice post! i like it :)
I always found Justice League to be sub-par. The introduction scenes for Flash and Aquaman were pretty cool. Cyborg's seemed a little rushed, but was manageable.
Love the idea of superman going rogue, and then the league deciding to fight Steppenwolf alone. and here something could've been done that turns Superman's resolve around.That fight scene between the League and him was too rushed. Some clever shots, but none of what Superman's real capabilities. Too little, too soon.
The final fight was quite okay, but it was more like Superman shows up, beats shit up and the fight ends. The rest of the league has done squat. And some of the quirky lines were not really Superman, but more Joss Whedon. Even Batman is whining all the time. Flash was pretty cool.
I will never forgive Zach Snyder for ruining the 2nd movie in the 300 series. 300 was such a good movie, why did he have to go and ruin it with that 2.5 hour piece of nonsense?
Mostly agree with what I read in this article. In my opinion, other than 300 (which I love to death) none of the rest Snyder's films is worth to pay a ticket for.
Great analysis... I too struggle with a lot of the superhero films... I've got my fingers crossed for VENOM in October.
The tragedy of Zac Snyders family was really a major blow to this film. Josh Whedon ruined this movie. The movie was STILL the most entertaining film since Wonder Woman, BUT the Zac Snyder version it is not. The humor seemed forced and out of place, ala Whedon, and as you astutely pointed out, the dark Superman arc went nowhere. Whedon just does not do drama well, so WB got what they deserved for their meddling and poor choices. I am really bummed that we probably will not see Darkseid on film within the next five years.
A) There isnt going to be a Snyder cut though....cause there wasnt enough finished by him to do that
B) Its a Frankenstein Monster Baby of Whedon and Snyder (with some Affleck touches) created by Warner hacks
really nice and excellent page thanks for share with us
Is this your ebook sir.... i dont have knowledge about alins so definitely want to read this ...thanks ...its fre
Haha not my ebook. It's a little long, but it's a detailed analysis in case someone is into these things :)
Have a great day! :)
Nice exelent