The Zach Snyder’s Justice League takes a deep dive into the mental ramifications being a “superhero” have taken on each of the members of the team from the DC Extended Universe (DCEU): Arthur (Aquaman), Diana (Wonder Woman), Barry (the Flash), Victor (Cyborg), and Bruce (Batman). The world is mourning Superman’s death, and his loss has made the world vulnerable to an old threat. One of the Mother Boxes has awakened, attracting one of Darkseid’s servants, Steppenwolf, to Earth. He sets out to retrieve all three boxes and create the Unity, which will change the Earth into a likeness of their home planet, Apokolips.
Forming a Team
He begins in Themyscira, where one of the boxes is protected by the Amazons. Although they put up a gallant effort, he succeeds in obtaining the Mother Box and kills hundreds of Amazon warriors in the process. Queen Hippolyta sends a message to alert her daughter, Diana, of the incoming threat to the world. Diana brings this news to Bruce, and they decide to work together to form a team of heroes to face the Steppenwolf and his army. Although Arthur has already turned Bruce down, they are hopeful that they will be able to recruit Victor and Barry to the team.
The audience meets Barry while he’s applying for a dog-sitting job in the city. While there, he meets Iris West and ends up saving her from a car accident. This event showcases Barry’s powers of super speed; he is able to get to Iris, observe the events of the accident, rescue her, and return before anyone (other than Iris) notices. When Barry heads home, and he finds Bruce waiting for him. He immediately agrees to join the team, stating that he “needs friends.”
Victor is a little more difficult, which is understandable due to his past. An experiment conducted with one of the Mother Boxes by his father, the head of S.T.A.R. Labs, turned Victor into more of a machine than a man. He initially refuses Diana’s request to join them, but agrees to help after when his father is captured by Steppenwolf. Meanwhile, Steppenwolf’s army attacks Atlantis and is successful in retrieving the second Mother Box.
Tough Choices
Barry, Victor, Diana, and Bruce find Steppenwolf holding the captive S.T.A.R. Labs employees in a warehouse underneath Gotham Harbor. They manage to rescue everyone, but Steppenwolf escapes while releasing a flood of water from the harbor onto the team. Arthur shows up and rescues them; he’s decided to join them as a result of Steppenwolf’s attack on Atlantis.
They regroup and discuss their options. After hearing about Victor’s “resurrection” using the Mother Box, they decide to use it to bring Superman back to life. They dig up his body, bring him to the Kryptonian ship at S.T.A.R. Labs, and activate the Mother Box ‒ Superman returns, but seems to have no memory and begins attacking the team. This gives Steppenwolf the opportunity to take the last Mother Box, killing Victor’s father in the process, and he returns to his base to begin the Unity. Superman is subdued when Lois shows up, and they fly home to Smallville.
The team decides to attack Steppenwolf even without Superman. They devise a strategy to get Victor to the boxes in order to separate and destroy them. They fight their way through the parademons, but Steppenwolf still manages to overpower them. However, the tides turn in their favor when Superman shows up donning a new Black suit and easily takes down Steppenwolf. Victor gets in position, and Barry manages to slow down time long enough to prevent the Unity and help Victor separate the Mother Boxes. Steppenwolf is killed and Darkseid’s plans thwarted, at least for now.
Moving Forward as New Heroes
The film ends with each of the heroes having found a new sense of purpose in their lives; Barry has decided to actively take control of his future by securing a job in a forensics lab; Arthur sets out to reconnect with his father; Diana and Bruce set forth to continue this new age of heroes, constructing a new manor to house the team and any new members they might recruit (the beginning of the Justice League); Clark finds his way back to the Daily Planet and resumes life as Superman, but with a newfound appreciation for life and those he loves.
Justice League Snyder Cut: All Differences From the Theatrical Version:
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Photo Credit: © Warner Bros / Clay Enos / DC Comics
