“Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is an improvement, but it’s still pretty rough.

In 2017, I went to see the highly-anticipated Justice League in theatres and spent a majority of the time laughing at how bad it was. Ok. It wasn’t Suicide Squad bad, but the iconic DC Comics team deserved WAAAAAAY better than the chaotic mess they were given.

If you don’t know the production history of Justice League, here are the cliff notes. Super fans, feel free to scroll pass the next two paragraphs .

In 2017, Justice League’s original director, Zack Snyder, stepped back due to the shocking death of his daughter. Warner Brothers then tasked Joss Whedon (director of Avengers fame) with post production and a ton of reshoots. The Justice League that came together in 2017 was a colossal flop, leaving many fans furious — many blaming Whedon’s lighthearted direction which veered drastically from Snyder’s.

For YEARS, fans have wondered what the film would have looked like under Snyder’s artistic eye, BEGGING and CAMPAIGNING for Warner Brothers to release the Snyder cut.

And alas! The day has arrived and now fans can enjoy all FOUR HOURS (yes. FOUR hours) of Snyder’s vision.

After all this time, does Zack Snyder’s Justice League live up to the hype?

Well. Here’s the good news. It’s an improvement from the 2017 version.

Snyder definitely loves to do it big, and he doesn’t shy away from using every tool in his toolbox. The tone is darker, aligning with Snyder’s original take on the DCEU. The characters are fleshed out and better developed. We get to see backstories to Cyborg and Flash, and *le gasp* emotion. Yes. Snyder definitely adds ethos that was so desperately missing from Whedon’s.

Personally, it was nice to finally see our Wonder Woman back to kicking ass and taking names in the group, the way Patty Jenkins has successfully portrayed her. So. Major kudos there.

But. The bad news? It’s still not that great.

Although Snyder’s vision adds more depth to its characters, it’s a bloated FOUR HOURS that FEELS like four hours. Scenes drag and there isn’t any levity throughout. Superhero work is serious, but c’mon guys, I need a laugh once in a while.

The emphasis on incorporating slow-motion into every single big moment is so dramatic. Like, eye-rolling dramatic. I know that’s one of his Snyder-isms, but I never needed to see a hot dog fly through the air in slow motion set to classical music. I’m not sorry. I was howling.

I admit it is nice to have Snyder see his vision of the film come to life. However, at the end of the day, Zack Snyder’s Justice League isn’t entirely different from the 2017 version. It feels like an extended edition with a darker tone and more dramatic visuals.

But for DC Comics fans everywhere, please enjoy and rejoice. Because you made this happen.

Now, let’s work on getting a Birds of Prey sequel, okay?

Final Thoughts: Unless you are a super DCEU fan and NEED to experience Zack Snyder’s Justice League, I think you’ll survive sitting this one out.