When I watched the theatrical release of Justice League, I was very unimpressed with what I saw. So, I was not sure what to expect with the 4-hour Snyder Cut on HBO Max. Wow, what a difference! It is really a crime what was done with the movie. This version had a much better story that really held together, with an overall epic feel and much improved action and effects sequences. Cyborg finally had a proper role and was great to watch. Steppenwolf looked miles better and his interactions with Darkseid were a highlight. I'm still not crazy about Ezra Miller as The Flash, but he was far more tolerable here, with a couple of really great action beats. It's not perfect - it's at least a half hour too long (I would not have included the future stuff at the end) and Mera's British accent was not convincing. Still, I've watched it twice now and quite enjoyed it both times. What an example of ow studio interference can torpedo a movie!
Austin Powers is back.
ReplyDeleteA great example of the "Sliders' Principle". Two similar Earths with the same event happening on each, but a whole different story results on each as well. Sliders.
ReplyDeleteDave sez,
ReplyDeleteWhoa, that's an awesome cover
I love the Justice League! I'm just not sure I have four hours to spend watching a movie. I really enjoyed the Justice League animated series...
I'm sorry, I'm just becoming a grumpy old fan...
austin powers....yeah baby!!!!
ReplyDeletebetter to be a grumpy old fan than a grumpy old man....lol
ReplyDeleteIt's not really fair to compare the two versions, Whedon didn't have 2 extra hours. I wonder just what the Snyder version would have been like if he hadn't left and had to keep the runtime down to 2 hours.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, Ross? I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it: I have no complaints with the JLA movie. In some ways, the gradual build-up to the formation of the Avengers in the Phase I Marvel films was just as occasionally awkward (if not more so).
ReplyDeleteBut, I mustered my patience (a super-feat in its own right, believe me!) and bided my time. Sure enough; the faithful waiting paid off.*
So, with regard to the original theatrical cut of JLA, I'm glad they started "small." Saving the world from Steppenwolf gives us (if not them) a foretaste of what we, the fans, can expect when the Justice Leaguers finally go up against Darkseid and the rest of the Apokoliptans.
On a lighter note: thank you for using this cover! I remember reading a barber shop back-issue of this story when I was just entering adolescence. And, honestly? It's the one time I ever rooted for the super-villainess. ;-)
*And the cinematic version of Thanos was well worth the wait. Right?
Pretty much agree with you about the Snyder Cut. I was vaguely disappointed with the Whedon version and way more satisfied with the new (but not perfect) release. I only wish we had more Snyder to come.
ReplyDeleteAs for this cover, like it!
When comparing the two versions of Justice League, I think it's important to separate the issue of studio interference, which, among other things affected the pacing by going from a planned trilogy to a single film; and the issue of switching directors, which resulted in not only a radically shifted vision, but also apparently mistreatment of actors (Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot).
ReplyDeleteFor build-up, I think Man of Steel 2 before Batman vs. Superman would've helped a lot. We, the audience, really needed to feel the hope that Henry Cavill's Superman brought to the world in order to truly feel his loss at the end of BvS. A Batman movie in the interim would also have helped us to understand Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne a bit better, and putting Wonder Woman between the two would've given us a better perspective on Diana for Justice League.
With that, we might've had a chance to see a live-action Avengers/JLA crossover, adapting both that comic and Marvel vs. DC. It still might be possible with the Arrowverse, provided that universe can recover from the blows it's gotten recently (among them COVID, major cast exits, and ill-conceived plotlines).
Iremember the original cover on this one with Batgirl.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to see a scene with Monica & Gambit fighting over who makes the better gumbo
ReplyDeleteone of the first Justice League books I ever owned.
ReplyDelete@kevin: Winner takes on Green Arrow's chili.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention Shredder's ninja turtle soup.
ReplyDelete"Ninja turtle soup?!"
"Slap!!"
"Ouch!!!"
"He told you not to mention that."
"Forgive me, Jonin Splinter."
That title, "Oh, Bee Hive!" is enough to make me want to bring back Queen Zazzala.
ReplyDeleteHell, it's enough to make me want to bring back the Harvey Comics superhero Bee-Man and his extremely arch arch-enemy Queen Bea
http://gone-and-forgotten.blogspot.com/2014/04/truly-gone-forgotten-bee-man.html
@ John & Burt: or, failing that, Pirana of Harvey Comics teaming up with Agent Neptune of the Agents of Atlantis (from Archie Comics' THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS, vol. 2) and Lt. Davy Jones, U.N.D.E.R.S.E.A. Agent from Tower Comics.
ReplyDelete