Superheroes Need Love Too in Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Let’s face it.  I’m an underground superhero geek.  I’ve seen all the Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and yes ALL of the Disney/Marvel joints too.  But, when I heard that Zack Snyder was released a Director’s cut of Justice League, my initial reaction was…cool!!!  Until, I found out it was four hours long.  What??!!  Which made me ponder if I was indeed that hardcore of a superhero fan?  The answer is YUP!!!

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne aka Batman (Ben Affleck) enlists Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot)  to face an even greater threat. Together, they recruit a team to stand against a newly awakened enemy Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds). Despite the formation of this amazing league of heroes including Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and the Flash (Ezra Miller)– it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Having said that, there were battles upon battles, gorgeously cinematically shot and split up through four chapters of storyline – plus an epilogue.  The one through line of it all is the fact that all superheroes need love and approval from a parent. It’s the thread that permeates and weaves the story into a whole.  By not only including  Cyborg’s story of parental loss, while desperately attempting to comprehend his father’s motivations and Diana’s loss of Steve, her Mom and sisters, the audience has the opportunity to witness these extraordinary humans as just that…human. Last, but definitely not least, how unconditional love ultimately brings Superman (Henry Cavil) back from the grave.

The special effects are massively impressive, especially a moment where Barry Allen saves the beautiful Kiersey Clemons from a potential fatal car accident filmed in complete slow motion where every breath, emotion and eye blink is shot up close.  Loved that!  Really loved infiltrating humor breaking up intense action filled moments like when The Flash ponders is Wonder Woman would go for a younger guy only to have Victor reply, “…She’s 5000 years old – every guy’s a younger guy.” Plus, there’s numerous cameos of each superhero’s life from Harry Lennix, Russell Crow, Amber Heard, Robin Wright, J.K. Simmons, Connie Nielsen, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Amy Adams, Jared Leto and even my boy Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor.

Now streaming on HBO Max, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is fun, exciting and a blerd superhero bucket list dream.  Make sure you you set those bathroom breaks, get those snacks together and plan a whole day to screen and decompress for the full effect.