History YMMV / ZackSnydersJusticeLeague

** The "Save ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}''" campaign got support from the Snyder Cut movement, as they see it as the MCU counterpart to this campaign. Creator/CharlieCox's Daredevil ultimately came back to the MCU, although as a different iteration.

* CompleteMonster: [[Characters/DCEUDarkseid Darkseid]], once known as Uxas, is the dark ruler of [[Characters/DCEUApokolips Apokolips]] hell-bent on finding the Anti-Life Equation to subjugate all life in the Multiverse. To this end, Darkseid conquers 100,000 worlds and terraforming them into a new Apokolips, cleansing them with fire and turning its inhabitants into soulless slaves aware but without freedom. Darkseid would later invade Earth upon learning it contains the Anti-Life Equation, and tries to [[HostileTerraforming terraform]] it, only to be defeated and driven back. Darkseid would later banish [[Characters/DCEUSteppenwolf Steppenwolf]] from Apokolips, forcing him to conquer thousands of planets should he ever want to return. Upon learning that Steppenwolf found the Anti-Life Equation, Darkseid orders him to scorch the planet; when Steppenwolf failed, Darkseid simply crushes his decapitated head. In the "[[Characters/DCEUKnightmare Knightmare]]", Darkseid kills most of the Justice League, brainwashes Superman into being his servant, and reduces the Earth into a barren wasteland.

** The "Save ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}''" campaign has gotten support from the Snyder Cut movement, as they see it as the MCU counterpart to this campaign. Creator/CharlieCox's Daredevil ultimately came back to the MCU in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', although as a different iteration with most of the Creator/{{Netflix}} supporting cast gone.

** The "Save ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}''" campaign has gotten support from the Snyder Cut movement, as they see it as the MCU counterpart to this campaign. Creator/CharlieCox's Daredevil ultimately came back to the MCU in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', although as a different iteration with most of the Creator/{{Netfix}} supporting cast gone.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: The movie ends dedicated to Snyder's daughter Autumn, after she tragically passed away. The statement "For Autumn" is seen before the credits roll. Unfortunately, the VOD translators for the Latin American Spanish version seemed unaware of this fact or what the statement meant, so they interpreted this as being Autumn ''the season''. Therefore, the Latin American Spanish version actually ends with the statement "Próximamente en otoño", which teases an inexistent project for next fall.

* AccidentalAesop: Keep your damn eyes on the road. If you grab a cheeseburger (truck driver about to hit Iris), stare at a pretty guy you like (Iris herself) or have a heart-to-heart talk with your son (Elinore Stone), do not [[DriverFacesPassenger look away from the road if you are still driving]] under any of these circumstances. Iris had the luxury of having the Flash to save her. Elinore didn't and died while crippling her son as a result.

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Due to mostly having been written and shot before the franchise's drastic change in direction after the fallout from ''Batman v Superman'', ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' and the theatrical cut of ''Justice League'', ''Zack Snyder's Justice League'' serves as an odd one for the DCEU itself. It contains multiple {{Sequel Hook}}s for projects that either weren't made (Ben Affleck's version of ''The Batman'', a solo ''Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}'' SpinOff, an ''[[Comicbook/TheAtom Atom]]'' movie starring Ryan Zheng as Ryan Choi, and Snyder's own planned ''[[Script/JusticeLeague2 Justice League: Part 2]]'' and ''Part 3'') or were heavily delayed and significantly {{Retool}}ed (''Film/{{The Flash|2023}}''), providing a snapshot of the direction the franchise almost took.

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Due to mostly having been written and shot before the franchise's drastic change in direction after the fallout from ''Batman v Superman'', ''Film/SuicideSquad'' and the theatrical cut of ''Justice League'', ''Zack Snyder's Justice League'' serves as an odd one for the DCEU itself. It contains multiple {{Sequel Hook}}s for projects that either weren't made (Ben Affleck's version of ''The Batman'', a solo ''Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}'' SpinOff, an ''[[Comicbook/TheAtom Atom]]'' movie starring Ryan Zheng as Ryan Choi, and Snyder's own planned ''[[Script/JusticeLeague2 Justice League: Part 2]]'' and ''Part 3'') or were heavily delayed and significantly {{Retool}}ed (''Film/{{The Flash|2023}}''), providing a snapshot of the direction the franchise almost took.

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: The film received quite positive reviews. For reference, [[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zack_snyders_justice_league it sits at 71% on Rotten Tomatoes]], compared to 56% for ''Man Of Steel'', 27% for ''Batman V. Superman'', and 40% for the theatrical cut. This correlates with fan reception, with even detractors considering this film better than previous Snyder films in the DCEU. Points of praise include the lighter tone from the previous movies (while still managing to be serious), stronger character writing for every member of the Justice League, impressive visual effects and fight scenes, and an incredibly epic climax.

* CommonKnowledge: Many people say that the film is Snyder's original vision for the film, hence why some call it the "Snyder Cut". While to an extent it is, as it takes ideas and cut footage and restores it, Snyder's original vision was adjusted into his own 214 minutes long version from 2017, and when he was given the chance to complete this film, he used the chance to film new footage in 2020 (the BadFuture scene between Batman and Joker most prominently, which wasn't part of his plans back in 2017) and adjust elements of the film, which is why the film is longer than a typical theatrical release.

* {{Fanon}}: While out of universe, the fans have largely considered the theatrical cut to be CanonDiscontinuity. Some also have come up with an InUniverse reason: the CosmicRetcon caused by the [[Series/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths2019 Crisis on Infinite Earths]], using Barry's speed force interaction with the [[Series/TheFlash2014 Barry Allen of Earth-Prime]] to justify it.

** The "Save ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}''" campaign has gotten support from the Snyder Cut movement, as they see it as the MCU counterpart to this campaign.

** When Creator/RayPorter's name was revealed for the part of Darkseid, he was largely unknown to many, having mostly done audiobooks and obscure voice roles, but he seriously impressed a lot of people with his performance in the film, perfectly capturing his character and making it clear in every scene why [[TheDreaded even Diana is frightened of him]] and why he's considered one of the biggest threats in the DC Universe. A few fans have even adopted Porter's voice as [[CantUnhearIt THE voice of Darkseid]]. It helps that he trained as a [[ShakespearianActors Thespian]] before his voice acting/audiobook career.

** By all accounts, Creator/WarnerBros executives themselves [[SpringtimeForHitler expected the film to fail]] (Snyder even mentioned that they wanted to release it unfinished partly out of deliberately seeking such an outcome) as this film didn't factor in their plans for Creator/DCFilms in the future. It ended up a success with its good reception across the board and international streaming and VOD numbers (even with the uncertainty/silence about the Creator/HBOMax numbers stateside), as well as garnering high sales on home media when it came out on DVD/Blu-Ray. While they refuse to continue from there, the fan pressure on them to do so has grown even larger than the campaign to get the film released.

* CriticalDissonance: Not as pronounced as previous [=DCEU=] installments, but the movie has a good-to-okay critical reception overall (itself a notable improvement over Snyder's two previous films in the setting and the theatrical version), and downright stellar audience scores on par with the latest ''Avengers'' films.

* HoYay: Just like in the theatrical version, Bruce Wayne buys the bank that foreclosed on the Kent Farm, as if to prove to Clark how much the latter means to this brooding loner. His pleading with Clark when the latter has gone berserk makes him sound positively broken-hearted.

* UnintentionalUncannyValley: Though she's usually out-of-focus so it's not too noticeable, Granny Goodness's final appearance shows her face more clearly, but the somewhat lackluster CGI manages to make her resemble the human Princess Fiona (and by extension a cartoon version of Creator/CameronDiaz) from the first ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' film. That she retains her largely human looking face while the other New Gods are much more alien looking doesn't help, as it makes her stand out more.

** While there are fans [[FriendlyFandoms who get along well]] with fans of ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'', there are others (specifically, fans of Shang-Chi's fellow Asian superhero [[Characters/TheAtom Ryan Choi]]) who are much less happy. For context, it was revealed by Creator/ZackSnyder in a 2021 interview how, during production for ''Film/JusticeLeague2017'', he'd had plans for Ryan ([[TheDanza portrayed by]] Creator/RyanZheng) to star in a standalone ''Atom'' movie set in China, only for these plans to fall through after Snyder's departure from the film and Zheng's scenes getting removed from the theatrical cut. Following the success of ''this'' movie, which restored Ryan's appearance, many fans, particularly those of the DCEU as a whole, were understandably upset over the lost opportunity, which would have potentially allowed Creator/DCFilms to gain a second edge over its rival Creator/MarvelStudios in debuting the "First Asian Solo Superhero Film" after having previously gained an edge over them in releasing the "First Successful Female Solo Superhero Film" via ''Film/WonderWoman2017'' getting successfully released before the MCU's ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019''. And as a result, some ''Atom'' fans have directed their ire towards ''Shang-Chi'' for "stealing their thunder".

* CompleteMonster: [[Characters/NewGodsDarkseid Darkseid]], once known as Uxas, is the dark ruler of [[Characters/DCEUApokolips Apokolips]] hell-bent on finding the Anti-Life Equation to subjugate all life in the Multiverse. To this end, Darkseid conquers 100,000 worlds and terraforming them into a new Apokolips, cleansing them with fire and turning its inhabitants into soulless slaves aware but without freedom. Darkseid would later invade Earth upon learning it contains the Anti-Life Equation, and tries to [[HostileTerraforming terraform]] it, only to be defeated and driven back. Darkseid would later banish [[Characters/DCEUSteppenwolf Steppenwolf]] from Apokolips, forcing him to conquer thousands of planets should he ever want to return. Upon learning that Steppenwolf found the Anti-Life Equation, Darkseid orders him to scorch the planet; when Steppenwolf failed, Darkseid simply crushes his decapitated head. In the "[[Characters/DCEUKnightmare Knightmare]]", Darkseid kills most of the Justice League, brainwashes Superman into being his servant, and reduces the Earth into a barren wasteland.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** The overall tone of the movie is pretty much what many who complained about ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'' asked for, balancing levity with drama instead of being pretty consistently bleak throughout (though it also materializes what Creator/ChrisTerrio said about the movies he wrote, comparing the darkness of ''[=BvS=]'' to ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'', with ''Justice League'' being more akin to ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''). The more straightforward and relatively simple narrative also helps.
** After getting flak for introducing Jimmy Olsen only so he could kill him off purely for shock value, Zack Snyder included a minor character portrayed by Marc [=McClure=], who had previously depicted Jimmy Olsen alongside Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in the original ''Superman'' films. The character is upbeat, interacts with Lois Lane on friendly terms, and is kept out of harm's way[[note]]sans a small scene where he is saved by Cyborg from a thrown car[[/note]].
** While it is much less polished than that from ''Batman v Superman'' due to the limited resources to make it, the BadFuture scene provides much more context than the previous ShowDontTell-[=heavy=] one. And the meeting between Batman and the Joker is quite memorable. It is also placed at the end of the film as a sorta TheStinger instead of its middle, which doesn't distract from the main story.
** Many of the criticisms of the theatrical cut are addressed here (simply as a result of the original director coming back):
*** [[Music/JunkieXL Tom Holkenborg]] coming back for the soundtrack to restore musical continuity with what himself and Music/HansZimmer composed for ''Film/ManOfSteel'' and ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice''. Music/DannyElfman was criticized for heavily recycling some of his previous material in the theatrical version as well as putting his own 1989 Batman theme and the 1978 Music/JohnWilliams Superman theme (which both felt out of place). While he's at it, Holkenborg even added a welcome {{triumphant|Reprise}} {{Fanfare}} to the ''Man of Steel'' tracks used for Superman's return in action.
*** Steppenwolf was considered TheScrappy of Whedon's cut of the film for having a [[FlatCharacter bare-bones personality and motivations]], combined with [[SpecialEffectFailure bad CGI]] and a design too similar to [[Film/WonderWoman2017 Ares']]. Here, he has a much more distinctive design with impressive CGI to depict it, and a clear motivation: he needs to conquer worlds for Darkseid so he can return home to Apokolips.
*** The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg's characterizations in the theatrical cut were met divisively, especially with a lack of a firm character arc or really iconic moments to shine. Here, all three heroes get more development and general respect, particularly Cyborg, on equal par with the Trinity.
*** A lot of Diana's screaming in battle sounded like she was [[TheImmodestOrgasm having some rough sex]] in the theatrical cut. There's none of it to be heard here. A lot of MaleGaze shots that were added by Whedon are absent as well.
*** Many scenes involving Batman that were criticized in the theatrical cut, such as his sudden {{Jerkass}} turn towards Diana and his overtly comical confrontation with the post-resurrection Superman, have also been excised, [[CharacterRerailment making Bruce into a more effective and heroic leader]].
*** Much of Whedon's cut was hit with SpecialEffectsFailure due to costly reshoots and [[ChristmasRushed lack of time to properly make them]] (most infamously their attempt to hide the contractually-obligated mustache on Creator/HenryCavill). While Snyder's cut does have a few unpolished moments, the visual effects are noticeably better.
*** Many of the more lighthearted and comedic moments from Whedon's cut which, while pleasing to some in response to criticisms of previous DCEU films not being lighthearted enough, proved contentious to others for not meshing well with [[MoodWhiplash the general tone of the movie and contradicting the more earnest portrayal of the characters]]. Surprising many, though, was that the film was much lighter in tone than ''Batman v Superman'', with plenty of humor that is more in line with the established personalities of the characters. Whedon's quippier preference caused some of the theatrical cut's humorous moments to feel forced or out of place, while the humor in the Snyder cut feels more appropriate.
*** Steppenwolf being built up as TheDreaded in the theatrical cut really did not stick with audiences. We had the Amazons, the Atlanteans, humanity, and even the ''Greek Gods'', with the Green Lantern Corps sending two of their men into the fight, all teaming up to fight one of Darkseid's minor lackeys, which came off as... silly, and confusing as to why it only takes six heroes to defeat him in the present day. Zack Snyder's cut fixes this, with the invasion in ancient times led by Darkseid instead; this makes it far more believable that such massive forces would've united to combat the threat, and also that it can take just six heroes to battle Steppenwolf in the film proper.
*** In the theatrical cut the conflict becomes a case of raw physical might, and as Superman shows up Steppenwolf is helpless to fight back and the League easily regroups and disables the Unity, which only reinforced Superman as a StoryBreakerPower and the rest of the League as superfluous. This film places more emphasis on the team coordination, from Wonder Woman and Aquaman keeping Steppenwolf occupied, Batman disabling parademon defenses, the danger Cyborg faces trying to interface with the Unity and Flash [[spoiler: needing to reverse time after everyone dies from the Unity detonating]], which means Superman's BigDamnHeroes moment doesn't overshadow everyone else.

** Barry Allen's awkward obsessions with "brunch" and "Pet Sematary" that amplified his AmbiguousDisorder, plus other things that exaggerated his status as the PluckyComicRelief at the cost of his badassery, are nowhere to be found, and he's not afraid to do superheroics here.

* VindicatedByHistory: An interesting case in that this movie's fan reaction is much more positive, even to Zack Snyder's ideas retained in ''Josstice League'' that were criticized upon the theatrical film's release. In essence, this movie itself is the "history" that vindicates some of Snyder's original choices.
** A lot of people took some issue with the ChainmailBikini look, although actresses Samantha Win (Euboea, the Amazon crushed under the horse) and Brooke Ence (Penthesilea, the blonde hammer-wielding who alongside another Amazon holds the final stone door open for Hippolyta) defended the outfits. With the release of this film, which lacked the MaleGaze shots added by Whedon, it was actually well-received, being seen as a respectful way for the Amazons to show off their musculature, complete with positive comparisons to ''Film/ThreeHundred''.
** The use of mystical air bubbles for Atlanteans to speak to one another was criticized in the prior film. After learning it was Snyder's idea, lot of DC fans originally took it as another sign that Snyder "didn't understand DC comics". A lot of people also mocked his idea of having Atlanteans communicate with clicks and whistles like dolphins. The actual practice of the dolphin clicks and whistles ended up being seen as cool, with several viewers actually wishing that some of it was present in ''Film/Aquaman2018''. It also clarifies the bubbles as not ''necessary'' for communication, just as a device for when Snyder wants the Atlantean conversation to be understood.

* VindicatedByHistory: An interesting case in that this movie's fan reaction is much more positive, even to Zack Snyder's ideas retained in ''Josstice League'' that were criticized upon the theatrical film's release.

** Steppenwolf. After being rendered into a [[FlatCharacter one-note villain]] in the theatrical release, here, with nothing left on the table, Steppenwolf has been received far more positively. With a much more imposing and intimidating design, more detailed motivation, and generally being a far more impressive battle opponent, Steppenwolf has quickly established a new reputation for himself. [[spoiler:It doesn't hurt that he's also responsible for discovering the Anti-Life Equation and relaying it to Darkseid, setting up conflict for a future film.]]

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Due to mostly having been written and shot before the franchise's drastic change in direction after the fallout from ''Batman v Superman'', ''Film/SuicideSquad'' and the theatrical cut of ''Justice League'', ''Zack Snyder's Justice League'' serves as an odd one for the DCEU itself. It contains multiple {{Sequel Hook}}s for projects that either weren't made (Ben Affleck's version of ''The Batman'', a solo ''Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}'' SpinOff, an ''Comicbook/TheAtom'' movie starring Ryan Zheng as Ryan Choi, and Snyder's own planned ''[[Script/JusticeLeague2 Justice League: Part 2]]'' and ''Part 3'') or were heavily delayed and significantly {{Retool}}ed (''Film/TheFlash2023''), providing a snapshot of the direction the franchise almost took.

** While there are fans [[FriendlyFandoms who get along well]] with fans of ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'', there are others (specifically, fans of Shang-Chi's fellow Asian superhero [[Characters/TheAtom Ryan Choi]]) who are much less happy. For context, it was revealed by Creator/ZackSnyder in a 2021 interview how, during production for ''Film/JusticeLeague2017'', he'd had plans for Ryan ([[TheDanza portrayed by]] Creator/RyanZheng) to star in a standalone ''Atom'' movie set in China, only for these plans to fall through after Snyder's departure from the film and Zheng's scenes getting removed from the theatrical cut. Following the success of ''this'' movie, which restored Ryan's appearance, many fans, particularly those of the DCEU as a whole, were understandably upset over the lost opportunity, which would have potentially allowed Creator/DCFilms to gain a second edge over its rival Creator/MarvelStudios in debuting the "First Asian Solo Superhero Film" after having previously gained an edge over them in releasing the "First Successful Female Solo Superhero Film" via ''Film/WonderWoman2017'' getting successfully released before the MCU's ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019''. And as a result, ''Atom'' fans have directed their ire towards ''Shang-Chi'' for "stealing their thunder".

** Creator/EzraMiller, written off by some as portraying a goofy comic relief character in the theatrical version, gets a better chance to show his range as Barry Allen here, particularly during the final battle and ''especially'' during the Speed Force sequence.

* SignatureScene:
** Several moments from the FinalBattle qualify:
*** Superman's return. [[spoiler: [[BigDamnHeroes He appears out of nowhere in front of Steppenwolf's axe,]] glares defiantly at his new opponent, and punctuates all of this with a ''glorious'' PreAsskickingOneLiner that perfectly emphasizes his newfound confidence upon his resurrection:]]
--->''[[spoiler:"Not. Impressed."]]''
*** Barry Allen - The Fastest Man Alive- pushes himself beyond his limit and [[spoiler:[[TimeTravel travels in time]] to undo the end of the world, saving all life on Earth just by running]]. It was Barry's finest hour, and the spectacle in tandem with the swelling music and Creator/EzraMiller's earnest performance won many fans over in that moment.
*** [[spoiler: Cyborg's vision when he connects to the Mother Boxes, as he conquers his self-doubt and self-loathing, culminating in this genuinely inspirational line:]]
--->''"I'm not broken. And I'm not alone."''
** The Knightmare portion of the epilogue, while a little out-of-place with the rest of the movie, is still highly memorable due to fleshing out the BadFuture glimpsed in ''[=BvS=]'', as well as finally giving Creator/BenAffleck's Batman and Creator/JaredLeto's Joker a chance to interact.