I grew up with the likes of Batman and Superman alike. Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and Kevin Conroy were the caped crusaders in different capacities. Christopher Reeves and Dean Cain are both the Man of Steel to me. The X-Men and Spider-Man alike were there, but only in the background. Then came Justice League: The Animated Series, a cartoon that dared to bring in the worlds of Bruce Timm together with new characters like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl along for the ride. As I grew older, I graduated from the cartoons to the show’s source material in the comics. I was fortunate enough to be following along with Geoff Johns’ incredible run back in 2011. 

Eventually I graduated from comics to movies. I remember walking out of a Texas theatre, while on tour, early on May 4th, 2012. I was among a large crowd who saw The Avengers at its midnight premiere. In the moment, I thought it was awesome, but I longed to see the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others stand united against a common threat. I was a mere five years from it. I never would have imagined seeing Justice League for the first time and feeling anything but excitement. Instead I was met with an internal conflict. The comic nerd in me rejoiced to see these heroes side by side for the first time on the big screen. It rejoiced to see The Flash run in the Speed Force for the first time, or to see Aquaman command the sea for the first time. The cinephile within me felt betrayed. I walked out of the screening hollow. The theatrical cut was a mess. Not as bad as Suicide Squad but darn near close.

If I would have known the 2017 film would be the final product, I would have rather waited on Zack Snyder’s healing process. In the spring of 2017, Zack and his wife lost their adopted daughter Amber to suicide. Losing someone to suicide is an indescribable pain. It leaves you empty and full of questions. It’s a pain that I would wish on no one. Yet, Zach and his wife and their family shared that pain and burden. Zack stepped down to heal and be with his family. Warner Brothers hired Joss Wheddon, the director behind The Avengers, to do reshoots. This sounds great on paper - have the same guy who brought Iron Man, Captain America and the team together take over DC’s finest. It was only a good idea in theory. Instead of reshoots, we were given a virtually brand new film. There was no DNA to Snyder’s original vision that began with 2013’s Man of Steel. 

After years of fans raising money for suicide prevention, the question of its validity, and Snyder’s healing process - that full vision is finally realized in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Following the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) sets out to form an alliance for an impending foe (Ciaran Hinds) from another universe. While the core of that vision remained loosely intact for the 2017 version Snyder’s vision feels like watching an oxygen machine. It’s a legitimate joy to see these characters actually get to breathe and come together. Justice League had a tall order of introducing three new characters, more than just their cameos from Batman v Superman, and making Steppenwolf (Hinds) a legitimate threat with purpose. 

While it’s four hour run time will no doubt turn off some viewers. Rest assured that streaming service HBO Max took that under condition when polishing up Snyder’s original vision. The film is divided into 8 parts. Viewers have the opportunity to pause and come back at their leisure. Throughout its duration, redemption is the main theme which reigns throughout the film. Ray Fisher’s Victor Stone/Cyborg, Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen/The Flash, Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry/Aquaman and Hinds all are given much needed development. While Momoa would grow to be fleshed out in 2018’s Aquaman, his character feels much more consistent throughout here. Snyder sets up the struggle of Momoa’s dual heritage that would echo his journey throughout his first solo outing much more effectively. Hinds is another standout. It feels weird to say that about a villain but audiences actually experience an antagonist with motivation. Even more than that, he’s sympathetic. Hinds brings so much to the role in terms of emotion and depth. His redesign is able to convey so much more emotion and feeling. Hinds renders himself one of the best villains we’ve seen thus far in any DC Comics movie. 

Years ago in an interview for Justice League, while it was still in production, Snyder said that Fisher would be the emotional foundation and Miller would be the humor of the film. No statement could be more truer about these two. Fisher is nothing short of amazing. There are a couple of scenes in particular when audiences get to understand why Victor Stone is the heartbeat of this movie. Upon learning of his new abilities, Fisher helps out a new impoverished woman provide for her family. Another scene we see him disciplined for helping a young woman pass her classes after her home burnt down. I won’t even begin to touch the stuff that he is able to do in the film’s finale. Point is Fisher is incredible as Victor Stone and Cyborg. He brings so much depth and emotion to this character. By his closing moments of the film one can’t help but feel robbed that we’ll never see a solo outing with his character. 

Thanks to the CW’s show starring Grant Gustin as the Scarlet Speedster, we are familiar with Barry Allen. Miller embodies a good deal of that familiarity while making the character his own. Given the bigger budget of Snyder, the film can sometimes give off Quicksilver vibes from the X-Men movies. Yet, again, Miller still finds a way to make the character his own. We’re given just enough of a relationship with his father (Billy Cruddup) and Iris West (Kiersey Clemons) that we understand him better as a character. These two relationships are among Miller’s standout moments, while also providing his character much needed development. He doesn’t feel like a Peter Parker clone anymore. Affleck and Gadot remain the outliers of this film.Both actors have had other outings to explore these characters. However for Snyder the two have impeccable chemistry. They also serve as the film’s foundation for the inevitable showdown between Justice League and Steppenwolf. Both actors deliver the astonishing performances that stand out within the larger scope of the connected cinematic universe.

Perhaps one of the few complaints I could point to with this movie would be some, and I mean very minor, visuals effects. Namely just one character that I will leave as a surprise for those who haven’t seen the film yet. That said nearly every other part of this four hour experience is stunning. Steppenwolf in particular actually looks terrifying. Long before we get a chance to see him do anything violent his presence alone is intimidating - spiked with battle armor, an ox that is larger than anyone on the face of this planet, and an army at his disposal; Steppenwolf means business and it shows. His character design is one of the best things this film has to offer. The very brief glimpse we get to see of the fourth world, and Green Lanterns as well, continue to pour into the mastery of visual delight.

Overall, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is an undeniable piece of comic book movie mastery. Snyder delivers a vision of DC’s finest that is epic in literally every sense of the word. From its emotional core of actors like Ciaran Hinds and Ray Fisher to the comical nature of Ezra Miller - Justice League lacks nothing. Snyder crafts a story that takes viewers on a whirlwind throughout the multiverse. He masterfully balances the world building aspects of the story with intimate character motivation and development. Justice League is Zack Snyder’s magnum opus without question. Whether you watch in one sitting or multiple, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is everything you want in a film, not just a comic book movie but actual film, and then some.

RORSHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment:

"None are taken back from the darkness, not without giving one up in return." - Arthur Curry

We knew Superman was coming back in one way or another when the publicity for Justice League first began. When audiences were treated to the original scene of exhuming in 2017, it was merely Barry and Victor having a conversation about ethics. In the extended cut we are treated to an aside with Diana and Arthur discussing the history between Atlantians and Amazons. Arthur says the quote posted above. It honestly challenged me as I hope to challenge you reading this right now. 

When it comes to our mental health there are so many things in existence that are healthy for us. Equally there are things that come across as healthy but can be extremely toxic. If you’re depressed and your way of coping, or attempting to get out of it, is to read, watch movies, or play video games - those are great outlets. They are terrific for therapeutic releases. But if we have an unhealthy intake of them, aren’t we simply numbing ourselves to the aforementioned depression? You’re merely trading one darkness in for another. Know your limits.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Zack Snyder’s Justice League is property of Well Go USA. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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