The stage curtains open ...
With the advent of the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, this film, unfortunately, is suffering from the effects of a much better, more developed, and comprehensive director's version available to us. When this came out 4 years ago, I was on board with it and was entertained and probably would have rated it at 7 stars out of 10. However, with the new one out now, this pales in comparison and is really nothing better than a throwaway film.
Superman has died, and in his effort to keep a promise to the Man of Steel, Batman is obsessed with assembling a league of superheroes to help defend life on earth as we know it - to keep the peace, to keep the balance from going out of whack. He enlists the help of Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and the Flash - and just in time too, since an evil force has awakened and begins to wreak havoc in his search for three artifacts that, when combined, will give him ultimate power. Perhaps, if they play their cards right, they can bring Superman himself back as well.
After I watched Zack Snyder's Justice League, I decided to watch this one again too, since it has been 4 years since I last saw it. My jaw dropped at just how different the two were. With very little, scant similarities, this original theatrical version felt choppy and watered down. In fact, at the conclusion of the movie, I realized that I had no desire to ever watch it again. The only reason I would keep it is for comparison points. This version is more colorful, plotted completely different, and definitely had a PG-13 feel to it. In fact, it was just silly in parts.
I have lowered my rating from 7 stars down to a ho-hum rating of 5 stars out of 10. It is still just "okay" with a few amusing scenes that you won't find in the newer version (ie: the race between the Flash and Superman at the end). But, I cannot recommend you see this one. My recommend is that you watch Zack Snyder's version, since it is obvious that any forthcoming sequels will be based on that instead. Like I said, this theatrical cut is basically obscure now.
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