Heartwarming / Zack Snyder's Justice League

"I have a second chance, Lo. And I am not gonna waste it."

Bruce: He'll be here, Alfred. I know it.

Alfred: What makes you so sure?

Bruce: Faith, Alfred! Faith!

While darker threats from beyond the stars lay ahead, hope, kindness and compassion haven't left the world after Superman's tragedies and sacrifice. Quite the contrary in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

All spoilers on this page are left unmarked. You Have Been Warned!

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Previews

• Among the three teaser posters released announcing the film's official release date, one features a spool of film lying among the wreckage. Some have noticed that it loosely resembles Superman's logo which, as we all know, is the Kryptonian symbol of hope.
  • The "JL" initials on the canister's lid could also be interpreted as "Jor-El". The House of El can never fully die so long as hope can be found.
• The official trailer showing Lois reaching out to Clark and motioning him to reach her while Jonathan Kent says "Find out what that reason (why you were sent here) is". One could say this also counts as Clark being told to swim towards his island, i.e. his "smaller" world: Lois.

The Film

• Lois welcoming Martha with a hug at her apartment after the Clark/Superman's death. As they converse, Lois goes from trying to provide comfort to a grieving mother to being the one who is comforted.
  • And when Martha leaves, she morphs into Martian Manhunter before shifting into General Swanwick. When put into perspective, you realize this alien's words of reassurance under Martha's guise weren't just an act. They came from a very real place, from someone who has known both Lois and Superman on a personal level but can't connect with either of them in his usual guise.
  "I hear what people say. They talk like they knew him, but they didn't know Clark."
  "You're the only one who knows, who feels the way I do. Burdened by a secret on top of grief. I came all this way because I wanted...because I wanted to see you. Tell you that I understand."
• After thwarting the terrorists who were about to massacre the hostages (including a bunch of schoolchildren), Wonder Woman provides them all with words of comfort. She smiles at one of the schoolgirls she rescued, and the girl smiles back at her, asking if one day she could be like her new hero.
  Wonder Woman: You can be whatever you want to be.
• The Meet Cute look that Barry and Iris share after Barry uses his speed to save Iris from a car accident.
  • The entire scene is just as romantic as it is awe-inspiring. Iris crashes into the back of a truck and is flung from her car. Barry then races from the store he's in and, after brushing her hair aside from her face and admiring her, catches Iris and sets her down safely. What is most striking about the entire interaction is how exceptionally gentle he is with her, understanding that for him to move any faster would risk injuring her. The scene is set to an equally gentle cover of "Song to the Siren".
• The brooding Cyborg learns the extent of his Sinister Surveillance powers, discovering he can hack into any computerized system in the world. He can see and hear through any camera and microphone, with the power to launch the entire planet's worth of nuclear arsenals or manipulate the stock market if he felt like it. What's the first thing he does with this power? Follow the life of one struggling, recently-evicted single mother somewhere in Gotham, then hack her bank account to give her a hundred thousand dollars.
• As Bruce and Barry drive off following their first meeting, they pass by a large billboard for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, with the words "You Are Not Alone" in full display. Zack and his family have been supporters of the organization following Autumn's passing, and this shot serves as a loving tribute to them.
• Bruce and Barry's relationship in general. In a lot of ways, it could be read as a second chance for Bruce to be a mentor to a young aspiring hero after what happened with Robin all those years ago.
• These following words from Batman. It's both awesome and heartwarming considering the grim and hopeless state of mind he had not so long ago, making good on his promises from the end of Dawn of Justice. Superman's sacrifice really changed him for the best.
  Bruce/Batman: I don't care how many demons he's fought in how many hells. He's never fought us. Not us united.
• Clark being reunited with Lois and Martha, hugging them both simultaneously. Amy Adams' jubilant smile really sells this.
  • The Clark and Martha reunion is sweeter when you remember the circumstances of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Before his Heroic Sacrifice against Doomsday, the last time Clark saw his mother was in Lex Luthor's photos, which showed her in distress with the word "WITCH" written on her forehead. So to see her almost in tears, happily processing her son's survival, must have made Clark the happiest he's ever been in a long time.
    Martha: You're really you?
    Clark: I'm really me, ma.
  • Clark returning home and reminiscing about his childhood. No longer is he a troubled young man desperate for answers. Now he's settled into his identity as an earthling and is completely at peace with himself. It is capped off by the camera zooming out to show the swing he played with when he was young.
    Clark: She loved it here. So did I. (Slowly smiles at what he just said) So did I.
  • It's been said by many critics that Zack Snyder never understood what makes Superman special. Snyder himself puts that criticism to rest with the simple image of Clark holding out his hand and letting a butterfly perch on his fingertips as he smiles warmly and thoughtfully at this tiny example of life in a big, chaotic world. It's probably the closest Snyder will get to that iconic image of Superman sitting blissfully on a cloud.
• As Clark walks through the remains of the Kryptonian scout ship, contemplating the Kryptonian suits, he muses on the advice of both his fathers, this time as equals from his viewpoint. If you pay attention to their words, you'll realize they're telling him things he never heard from them in the first two films, strongly implying that there is an afterlife and Clark was able to bond with both Jor-El and Jonathan Kent during his death.
  • As Clark exits the ship wearing a black version of his Superman suit and ready to take flight once more, both his fathers give him their final words of encouragement. Now with his doubt and insecurities clear, Clark finally embraces his role as Earth's protector and flies into the orbit, spreading his arms out as he baths in the sun's rays in preparations to join the rest of the League. All this with a rendition of Hans Zimmer's iconic theme, "Flight", from Man of Steel is played.
  Jor-El: All the hopes and dreams of Krypton live in you now.
  Pa Kent: I'm so proud of you, son.
  Jor-El: Your mother and I loved you.
  Pa Kent: Your mother and I knew you would change the world.
  Jor-El: Your heart was tested.
  Pa Kent: I know it's been hard, Clark.
  Jor-El: But you gave hope to their world.
  Pa Kent: You need to show them who you are.
  Jor-El: Love them, Kal. The way we loved you.
  Pa Kent: Fly, son. It's time.
• Right before the League leaves, Bruce assures Alfred that Superman will come. When Alfred asks how does he know, a hopeful Bruce replies with one simple word: Faith.
  • And indeed he does as not long after the League left, Superman arrives at the Batcave, politely greeting Alfred. Smiling warmly at the Man of Steel, a man he hasn't even personally interacted with, Alfred greets him back with a polite "Master Kent". Take note that Alfred chooses to address Superman by his civilian name instead of his superhero name. While the rest of humanity sees him either as an angel or a demon, Alfred instead sees the Son of Krypton as nothing more than a simple man just wanting to do the right thing in a Crapsack World.
• When the rest of the League are kaput and the world is about to end, the Flash realizes it's all on him to save everyone. He breaks his one rule, going far beyond his limits, all too aware of how much pressure is on him to succeed. As Barry reverses time, the only thing on his mind at that moment (and probably the only thing keeping him from panicking) is his dear old dad. The world was too big for him, so he made it smaller.
• The triumphant sight of the Justice League standing shoulder to shoulder in the sunset and smiling warmly, as Batman's carrier craft arrives. It brings to mind a line from Jor-El, which sounds prophetic in hindsight.
  "You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you. They will stumble. They will fall. But in time, they will join you in the Sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders."
  • Especially moving is how it begins. We see Batman struggling to climb out of the cooling tower while everyone else has already made it to the top, so Superman gives him a hand, lifting Batman out of the darkness.
• When Barry visits his father in prison and tells him he got a job, his dad is even MORE proud of him than what was shown in the theatrical version.
  Barry: My foot's in the door.
  Henry: [starts laughing] Your foot's in the door.
  Barry: Isn't that a thing people say?
  Henry: [laughing] Yeah, that's something people say, man. [yells to other prisoners] His foot's in the door! That's my boy right there! Taught him nothing he knows!
  Barry: Dad, you're gonna get maced again.
  Henry: [stops laughing, just smiles] ...No stopping you now.
  Barry: ...Thanks, Dad.
  • Even better, you can hear the prisoners cheering for Barry in the background.
• The use of Leonard Cohen's beautiful "Hallelujah" is much more than a cheer for a long-awaited project that saw the light of day against many odds. The song was specifically used as a tribute to Autumn Snyder; it was both a favorite of hers and it was played at her funeral.
  • The film ends with Allison Crowe, a friend of the Snyder family who had a cameo in Man of Steel, singing a cover of the song as the words "For Autumn" appear on the screen.
• Martian Manhunter tells Bruce that his parents would've been proud of him for helping save Earth from Steppenwolf. Judging by the look on his face, Bruce needed to hear that.
  • Bruce gives Martian Manhunter a welcome to the team, stating they could use someone like him. The since-ignored tagline "Unite the Seven" has finally paid off.
• Batman and Wonder Woman's relationship throughout the whole film. While there were already quite a few moments of Ship Tease littered throughout Dawn of Justice and the original theatrical cut, this film takes it up to eleven and truly solidifies how much they care for and support each other. It's clear that the two have far and away the closest relationship out of all the team and are each other's most trusted allies; they notably have each other's backs and save each other's lives individually more times than anyone else, such as Diana cleaving through the parademons on the Batmobile and Bruce blasting away at the parademons surrounding Diana. She likely could have handled the latter situation on her own just fine, but it was a nice way to show how well they had each other's back. Diana was also the last one to stand between Bruce and a newly revived, confused Superman, preparing to use her strongest attack to defend him (it didn't work, but it's the thought that counts).
  • Their relationship is just as solid off of the battlefield too, if not stronger, with them offering each other constant emotional support as the Team Mom and Team Dad of the League. Aside from a few obvious moments here and there (such as accidentally holding hands when they reach for a computer mouse at the same time), they're by each other's side in almost all scenes together, and it's even clear that Diana is always a welcome and valued presence by both Bruce and Alfred in the Batcave. When she more or less breaks into the Batcave, aside from a quick snark about the cost of his building's security, Bruce doesn't seem to mind and they both greet each other with warm smiles and are clearly happy to see each other, while Alfred repeatedly tries to offer to make Diana tea and more or less walks her through it step-by-step when she keeps getting it wrong. Batman also takes inspiration from her bracers when having Alfred make his energy-absorbing gauntlets, with Diana jokingly suggesting he also make him a lasso in black. Overall, their relationship is made even stronger throughout this film beyond teammates and even likely just friends. It also helps that some of Bruce's more Jerkass Ball moments from the theatrical cut were removed, namely bringing up Steve Trevor to try to goad Diana into leading.
• Alfred is a lot more upbeat in this movie, as opposed to the rather dour, bitter character he was in Batman v Superman. He still gives Bruce grief, of course, but here it's much more jovial and lighthearted. This was most likely their dynamic before Batman's increasing descent into darker places, so it's sweet to see that Superman's sacrifice didn't just restore Batman's faith in humanity, but also Alfred's faith in Bruce.
• Arthur's still kind of gruff, but nice with his new teammates. He chats cordially with Barry on at least two different occasions and shows sympathy to Victor after the loss of his father, noting the unfairness of the upcoming situation (Victor planning on synchronizing with the Mother Boxes). Barry says he thought Arthur didn't care, but Arthur makes it clear he never said or meant that.
  • During the Final Battle, Aquaman lands on the Batmobile with a Call-Back to its driver, "You really are out of your mind." Only this time, there's honest respect in those words.
  • Before they square off with Steppenwolf:
    Aquaman: Round two?
    Cyborg: (Readies his sonic cannon) Hell yeah.
    (Trident-shockwave and sonic blast Combination Attack that throws Steppenwolf off his feet)
• When the Flying Fox finally gets going, Victor says “It wanted to fly, flight is in its nature.” Bruce looks at him and says “Yours too”.
• An easy to miss moment, but when the newly resurrected Superman spots Batman and starts going after him, every single team member immediately rushes to his defense to try to slow him down, starting with Cyborg, then Aquaman and Flash, and finally Wonder Woman, who was even ready to use her strongest attack to defend him. While he easily no sells all of their attacks, seeing how fast they immediately rush to defend Bruce shows how much they seem to respect their leader, in stark contrast to the theatrical cut where there was much more Teeth-Clenched Teamwork. It helps that much more time was taken to build the relationships between the characters and many of Bruce's Jerkass Ball moments were taken out, while also making a much more prominent effort to be a worthy and competent leader. It really emphasizes the theme of coming together in the movie far better than the theatrical cut ever did.
  • In a complete 180 from his attitude in Batman v Superman, Bruce calmly waits for Clark to approach, not attacking or even making a move to defend himself until forced to. Bruce calls him "Clark" and tries to reach him, one human being to another, instead of dismissing him as an alien monster and threat that must be eliminated. In BvS, Superman brought hope back to Batman. Now, Batman tries to bring hope back to Superman. It almost seems as if, should Superman need to avenge himself on Batman for the circumstances that led to his death in order to be whole again, Bruce is absolutely prepared to make that sacrifice.
• Unlike in the theatrical cut, pretty much the whole team is on board with the plan to resurrect Superman, though there are some valid concerns, they all agree it's a risk worth taking. Bruce sums it up eloquently:
  Bruce: There are six, not five. There is no us without him.
• While directing the kidnapped scientists towards an escape, Flash stops zapping all over the place to ask a weakened Silas if he’s okay, saying “You good?” while laying a hand on his back. Small and (aptly) quick moment, but still goes to show what really matters to these godlike heroes.
  • Batman later has a similar moment when, during the resurrected Superman’s rampage, he kneels down to ask a soldier on the ground if he’s okay before telling him to take cover. It felt like something right out of the DCAU incarnation.
• Mixed with Tearjerker, there's this line from Barry as he's running faster than the speed of light to undo the Unity:
  "Dad, whatever happens now, I just want you to know - your kid was one of them, Dad. One of the best of the best."
• At the end of the film, Barry is shown running as The Flash throughout Central City. By this point, he has made new friends, discovered the fullest extent of his powers, and found a job that made his dad very proud. His expression and running stance while running is nothing short of pure bliss, as if he feels liberated.
• After the Final Battle, Victor repairs his dad's tape recorder which he had crushed earlier, and plays the full message to hear his father's encouraging words. Through it, Silas expresses how much he loves Victor and is proud of his accomplishments. Victor then removes the clothes that covered up his cybernetic parts in front of his parents' grave, gives it a bright smile, and then flies straight up. Wordless on Vic's part, but clear confirmation he's fully made peace with his father and his new body.
• If this truly is the final time that this iteration of Superman appears onscreen, then it is safe to say that he's earned his happy ending. After everything he's suffered over the last two movies - losing Jonathan, aimlessly drifting for several years while having to hide his secret, having to face and kill Zod, being unsure of his place in the world, having his character tarnished by Lex Luthor, fighting a paranoid and xenophobic Batman, being killed by Doomsday - he finally comes to his own in this movie, having been brought back to life by a person who once feared him, fighting alongside people with abilities like his and protecting his world from alien invaders without massive casualties. It's been a long, hard road for this Superman, but he's finally been able to stand proud in front of the human race.
  • Clark and Bruce trading smiles and chat amicably as they watch the moving crew refill the Kent house, a refreshing indication that any animosity between them is buried (for now).
  • When Bruce helps the Kents reclaim their farm, Lois can be seen carrying a baby-basket, and Bruce can be heard congratulating them.
  • While he may eventually fall under Darkseid's thrall, it is not this day. And it is implied that, eventually, Batman will set things right, partly because he was so inspired by Superman's innate goodness.
• In an interview, Snyder stated that one of the most important Central Themes of the movie is family, and it truly shines in this cut. While the theatrical cut had more Teeth-Clenched Teamwork going on with Joss Whedon's rewrites, here, the League functions as a "found family" of sorts - each of the members is hurt or broken in some way, all having faced tragedy and hardship over their lives to the point that they (Diana, Arthur, and Bruce especially) closed themselves off from others in some way to avoid getting hurt. Through forming the team and working together to thwart the invasion, everyone finds a kindred spirit in one another and they know now that they're not alone.

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