Zack Snyder's Justice League [4K Ultra-HD] [2021] [Region Free] [Blu-ray]

Zack Snyder's Justice League is a cinematic masterpiece that delivers on every level. This four-hour director's cut is a vast improvement over the theatrical release, with deeper character development, a richer storyline, and stunning visuals. Snyder’s vision brings a darker, more emotional tone that perfectly suits the epic scale of the film.The extended runtime allows each hero to shine, with standout arcs for Cyborg and The Flash. The action sequences are breathtaking, and the new scenes, including the unforgettable Knightmare sequence, add depth and intrigue. For fans of the DC Universe, this is an absolute must-watch. A triumph of storytelling and filmmaking!

Brilliant film amazing special effects ever at 4 hours long it keeps you engrossed

This is so much more than just a superhero movie. I'm not referring to the 4 hour run time either (which will fly by). This movie is of it's time: only in the internet age could we the public influence a great Hollywood studio to reluctantly #ReleaseTheSnyderCut. A movie that is superior in every way to the version Warner Bros. released in 2017. That version was the very height of capitalism over art.WB had already given Snyder the opportunity to build a franchise by allowing him to direct Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. They knew Snyder was a visionary director who's previous material was divisive, literary, cerebral, introspective, technically stupendous, corny-at-times and laden with slo-mo.Yet WB saw an opportunity following the suicide of Snyder's daughter Autumn and pushed him out and brought in the director of 'Avengers' and 'Age of Ultron' to Marvel-ise the DC franchise (read: sexist, quippy one-liners, connect-the-dots plot, shallow characterization and expeditionary). That said, Marvel/Disney do make strikingly popular and profitable films.In his defence, director Josh Whedon was up against it: Most actors were out of shape for re-shoots or moustache-iode in the case of Henry Cavill (Superman). The studio had also mandated to reduce Snyder's 4 hour sprawling mythological epic to a 2 hour runtime to get more cinema screenings in during a day, (and hence generate more money).But the case against is quite damning: rather than splice the mass of material he already had, Josh Whedon went ahead with unconvincing re-shoots sometime employing some very dodgy, time-constrained CGI. He shrunk the roles of Cyborg and Flash (who are the very heart and soul of Snyder's Cut) and sexualised Wonder Woman and even Superman's mother!! He also tore out the beautiful soundtrack continuity that Tom Holkenberg would have offered and replaced him with past-his-sell-by-date Danny Elfman.Watching the Snyder Cut is cathartic. The completion of a vision Snyder started with Man of Steel. It tells the story of a person who is neither of this world or of Krypton. A refugee or an immigrant if you like. Life will not be sunshine and rainbows. But as with all heroes the hard path leads to realization of their place in the world. Clark decided to do the right thing given his extraordinary powers. Not because he had to or because it is his job. But because he *wants* to. Consequently, his ultimate sacrifice inspires others: Batman, Wonder Woman and all the rest evolve to earn their place as symbols of hope and faith.In these times of dysfunctional governments, creaking democracy and a global pandemic we could all do with some hope and faith and art.

Oh gosh! Where do I start?Well, let's get the negatives out the way...1) The screen ratio!I mean, what? "4:3" !Why? What for? To recreate the good old days of 35mm or to fit old box size & style TV screens?Totally unnecessary and detracts from, what is, a visually impactive tour deForce. Something like this NEEDS to be wide-screen.2) Film length.4hrs! On 2 Blu-ray disks.It took the length of a normal movie just to get to the point of the story. Then had to change disks to see the point of the movie.This is an infuriating level of script to screen padding. Every preamble scene is excessively drawn out. I mean, doing this to an entire film so it becomes 4hrs with no extra meaningfulness to it? That's an ego trip right there. And makes the need for 2 disks superfluous.3) Documentary extras.After such a long wait with such high hopes and expectations...No inside story as to how this version came about. No behind the scenes of movie making. No comparisons of the 2 versions or how the new material was edited together with spfx. One short docu as a "character" teaser. That's it! So disappointing and unfair.4) Colour degrading.Ok, this isn't a biggy. But could have brought the hue up a notch or two.Positives:Well this is some seriously heavy duty superhero movie.Done in all seriousness, with perhaps a little too much earnestness.This starts of as an all new film production. An unseen perspective of the finale of the previous film; Super V the Bat.We then get all the slow, long drawn out scenes that tell us what we already know. Tellingly, the character introductions are all very similar to the original release, though with the exception of Cyborg, Steppen Wolf and a series of new baddies to this franchise, but well known "Mr Bigs" to the DC universe. This brings in a whole new angle of story telling to this production. It's somewhat refreshing, but unfortunately all too familiar in presentation that it parady's the big bad guy in the Marvel stories (with similar ultimations and motivations).The characterisations and FX are ramped up with both Steppen Wolf and Cyborg. Their back stories have expanded greatly with a fresher look at how their pathways are somehow conjoined and its affect on the here and now. Their screen presence and dialogue is longer, stronger and more meaningful.Irritatingly, The Flash is still a bumbling stumbling geek, only more so! There is, however, more context to the relationship with his father.Batman's scenes are extended with a similar but slightly better delivered dialogue.Unfortunately, the same can't be said for WonderWoman. Not sure what Snyder was trying to achieve, but her humourous, sharp cutting wit had gone. Gone too was the daft scene where Aquaman makes a fool of himself to the entire team. But a welcome extension to all the fights with Steppen Wolf; in particular the final scene. But also that moment when Clark appears to those that have meddled in things they shouldn't, but had to. The reasoning to take such a drastic action is better fleshed out with the Snyder cut.All in all, it's a mixed bag of goodies and baddies.Superman is darker in both costume and, to some degree, attitude. But acts more in tune with a reawokened powerhouse ready to inflict revenge.Batman is characterised and performed brilliantly by Ben Affleck. He is, in my opinion, the best if them all, providing us with the greatest version of the Dark Knight since the original franchise began.Aquaman looks and is amazing. His presence seems much stronger and more credible. The entire Atlantien scenes are held together better and are much more powerful.WonderWoman seem to have been taken down a couple of pegs and her dialogue somewhat less authentic.Cyborg comes to the fore. More involved, more determined, more capable.Gone is the daft conclusion to the original version and there is more peril involved allowing The Flash to really step up instead of trip up!There are a great number of Easter Eggs. Snyder loves these: References to the previous version of this remake and a very telling shot in the longer scenes of the Justice League's walkabout in the Kryptonian ship. There are plenty to seek out.But...Maybe there will be a wide-screen release one day.Maybe DC will stop messing about with re-re-rekickstarting Batman.Maybe they will ensure the next WonderWoman film is as serious and well made as the first.Maybe they will get their act together and become more original in their dark storytelling, rather than trying to copy the formula and format of Marvel.Maybe!