Yesterday, what day, fans understand it.
△ Sir Backstage yesterday there was an influx of mysterious forces
3 years wait.
N jumps.
4 hours duration...
Regardless of the outcome.
We are experiencing "miracles".
Zach Schneider's Version of Justice League
Zack Snyder's Justice League
How many films have you seen that would be named after a director?
How many movies have you seen that last more than 4 hours?
In particular, is it a superhero blockbuster?
In particular, in this period when the city road is not good, and major film and television companies are tightening their belts.
It did anyway.
exaggeration?
And that's not even the most exaggerated.
A "bad movie" that was released 4 years ago and rated only 6.4.
After reshoots, recuts; fans protest collectively and petition.
Today, the rating soared to 8.6 the night before, rose to 8.9 yesterday afternoon, sir looked again before the press release, 9.0.
Compared to the film itself.
As a film critic, this "miracle" shocked Sir even more, and it was its impulse.
Efficiency, rewards, and even reputation aside.
It's just about the impulse of the movie.
(p.s. Because the length of the film is too long, a more detailed and comprehensive analysis Sir will follow up, today's article will first give you an explanation)
1
Mess
To tell the truth, how many people remember what "Justice League" said?
Sir's own impression is also stuck in - a few not very strong heroes, a few not-so-wonderful battles, plus a bunch of dark dialogue...
Oh yes.
Also received a WeChat emoji:
Is it going to be re-released in three years?
Oh, what a joke.
At that time, the four words "Justice League" did not represent legend.
It's a complete disgrace.
Before the release, it was the strongest hole card for Warner and DC.
Stud 300 million US dollars, laid the groundwork for many years, just want to take it and Marvel to break the wrist.
outcome?
The two males competed for supremacy and became a one-sided joke.
Money is not to be said - desperately won the box office of 657 million US dollars, according to the industry box office triple the cost of the estimate, Warner blood loss of several hundred million.
Word-of-mouth is a complete collapse - Douban 6.4, IMDb 6.3, METASCORE 45 points, Rotten Tomatoes freshness 40%...
Kitty Variety magazine topped the list of the most disappointing films of 2017.
"TheWrap" goes on to say:
"Positive Union" is a "chaotic, confusing mess".
The point is, it is not only the film "Zhenglian" that loses.
It pounced on the street and directly ended the DC Universe project that Warner and DC had been planning for many years.
Since then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a monopoly.
This guy...
Where do you put the DC fan face?
And Superman fans, Batman fans, and even Gail Gadot fans, are you wronged?
Ten years ago.
Nolan's "The Dark Knight" swept the world, and Marvel was still on the verge of bankruptcy.
Right now...... Willing?
Of course not.
Sure enough, two weeks after the release, the reporter dug up the big material:
The reason Positive Union is so bad is because it's a "Frankenstein" (Frankenstein)-like stitching monster.
With Batman v Superman ($873 million) not making the box office desirable ($1 billion), Warner's confidence in director Zach Schneider declined.
Referring to the three deadly sins:
The story is too dark, the style is too gloomy, and the entertainment is not strong.
So Warner's top management responded to three "fan operations":
First of all, the airborne executives went to the "Zhenglian" crew, the "overseer" director.
Second, order rectification.
Let Za Dao shorten the 5-hour rough cut version to the 2-hour theater version.
Za Dao retorted that it was impossible to explain "Zhenglian" clearly in two hours before the individual film came out.
Refer to Marvel next door.
Before the release of "Reunion 1", there were also five single works as a foreshadowing.
Eat a bite to become fat? I don't do it.
Business vs art, contradictions intensify.
Later, Warner didn't rip off anymore —
Joes Whedon, the director of Avengers 1 & 2, was introduced into the cast.
Warner, Whedon, Zadang, three-way entanglement.
The last straw stemmed from the unexpected death of Zadao's adopted Daughter in China.
Exhausted, he announced his withdrawal from "Positive Union", and Whedon officially took the throne.
And then it's up to you all know:
Taillight took away Warner's make-up budget and rewrote three-quarters of the script, including the Superman part all remade.
Joss Whedon remade more than they say
Almost all of Zach's version of Superman is a remake."
Filmed, fully "Marvel".
Relaxed, funny, family fun.
Opening Superman Self-Blackening:
At the end, Xiao Shan tells a cold joke:
A Warner executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, recalled afterwards:
"When we saw what Joss was shooting, we were all dumbfounded. The robber on the roof—too funny and embarrassing. The Russian one – too useless and too meaningless... The situation is awkward because no one wants to admit that it's such a big piece of crap. ”
2
uprising
The reason was found, and the initiator was also found out.
But for fans, this is not enough to calm the anger.
On November 17, 2017, the theatrical version was launched and only two days after the blood crash.
A movement, quietly taking off.
Don't underestimate the fans.
This group of extreme fans, play detective level data search ability.
After studying all the news, interviews, personnel changes...
Bold assumptions, careful verification - Za Director also hides a "director's cut version" of "Justice League", absolutely drop!
The news exploded as soon as it came out.
Change.org website launched a petition campaign against Warner, quickly obtaining more than 32,000 signatures, and by the time the petition was locked, it was close to 180,000 signatures.
It's not climaxing yet.
Fans are just guessing after all, and they didn't expect the big guys to end up one by one.
First, the original crew - "True League" cinematographer Fabian Guwana, Batman stand-in, stuntman Richard Cetrone, Steppen Wolf actor Seren Sid, and other public figures such as Kevin Smith, etc., have asked for the release of the "guide cut".
Seeing that this uprising is about to come to an end?
Sign a name, shout a word, what is so easy.
At that time, there were still many mainstream media singing about the decline, how could it be, there was no hope.
After all, at that time, the "guide cut" was just a guess.
What's more, for Warner, the online guide cut version is tantamount to punching yourself in the face in public?
But Sir still says that – don't underestimate the fans.
Especially the DC fans who have been depressed for many years and have waited for Wang Bang, but they have been wronged.
Microscopic level investigation begins.
Transforming into Leeuwenhoek, they looked for the deleted content of the theatrical version from the clues in previous news, interviews and trailers.
Time......
There is more and more "evidence" on the Internet, more and more widespread discussion, and conjecture is becoming more and more "true".
Everyone gradually believed that there must be a director's cut version, and the degree of completion was very high.
Finally, in early 2018, a major turning point occurred.
Za dao praised himself and personally participated.
Some of the deleted stills, settings, and plots were released one after another.
Even Ezra Miller, played by XiaoShan, and Jason Momma, played by Aquaman, have supported the fans' forced confessions.
The enthusiasm of the fans can not be contained at all.
Later, YouTube, Twitter, Ins, Facebook...
Hot searches sweep one social platform after another.
And then later.
Fans make billboards and slogans at their own expense to create momentum in various offline comic exhibitions.
The tide swept through bus stops, streets, Times Square...
Sir never expected it.
Fans rented planes to call idols, and it was used on a director.
△ San Diego Comic Con, the slogan flew in the sky for two hours
Don't look at the liveliness.
Control is ultimately in the hands of capital, no matter how loud, what is the use?
unless?
Unless, of course, Za dao himself arches the fire.
In March 2019, the director faced the media and verbally said " Yes" - "Yes."
He later confirmed that there was a four-hour, black-and-white version with no soundtracks and special effects.
It's in the computer, but ready to be used as a collection.
At this point, the hot potato finally spread to the high-rise of Warner.
The opportunity was the emergence of the HBOMax streaming platform.
Warner now needs an absolute blockbuster to build momentum for its new streaming platform.
At this time, the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement has been going on for two years, from the beginning when there were only die-hard fans, to now Gail Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ben Affleck (Batman), Ray Fisher (Steel Bone) and other starring actors have joined the queue.
At this time, the gimmick is launched, and it is possible to save the reputation.
Heaven forbid, the location is there.
People and what about?
Due to the failure of "Zhenglian" and other reasons, Warner's top management has changed several stubble people earlier.
Finally, Nolan.
Why Nolan?
When Warner first prepared for the DC Universe project, Nolan was the main participant, and he set up the stage and then recommended Zach Schneider.
For example, in Superman: Man of Steel, Nolan is one of the producers and screenwriters.
At first, Warner was ready to let Zadao release the black-and-white unfinished version directly.
Severely rejected:
"Here's why, there are three things: First, you want to stop online consumption, which is the main reason you want to do it. Second, you somehow want to correct mistakes and prove innocence. Third, you want to make a bad version and tell everyone: Look, this is not much better, you may be right.
I thought, no need to discuss. I'd rather have the Schneider cut version turn into a mythical unicorn. ”
In the end, Za persuaded Warner executives to get a budget of more than $70 million, including reshoots, special effects production, and publicity costs, as well as - complete freedom of editing rights.
Director Za didn't take a penny out of the budget and spent it all on filmmaking.
In May 2020, the official poster was announced.
In October, reshoots began.
Exciting characters have been added - Meera in "Aquaman", the Joker who appeared in "Suicide Squad", and the death knell of the original easter egg.
Za Dao even announced that he would not use any Joss Whedon to re-shoot the content, equivalent to three-quarters of the part will be redone, and the gaps in the theatrical version seem to be filled.
For example, the black super, more complete steel bones and the flash history make the hero assembly smoother.
For example, the villain changes from Steppenwolf to Darkseid.
Two tones were also set: the storyline emphasized epic rather than family fun, and the original 1.33:1 format.
In January 2021, the director's cut was completed and launched in March.
Up to four hours, all released at once, without making a single commercial compromise.
This is also why many people say that it is a "miracle of film history":
Although this action is still commercially considered.
But in terms of process.
It's a triumph that belongs entirely to the audience, to the film.
3
Why ZaDao?
The guide cut version currently has a high score of 9.0 on Douban.
So, an almost insoluble question appeared again - why must he shoot the most correct DC hero?
In Sir's opinion, Za Dao has several important significance for DC.
First, reinvigorate DC features.
In the opening scene, Steppenwolf has already said the tone of this guide cut:
Darker than dark.
"No Guardians, no Lanterns, no Kryptonians
This world will be destroyed like any other world."
Personal style.
Due to the rush of time and the blurred goal of the Whedon version, the effect is not the same as four, and I want to learn Marvel but the laughter point is floating on the surface.
The Za guide version returns to seriousness.
The picture is characterized by the texture of classical oil painting.
The most classic scene in BVS - Batman and Wonder Woman split on both sides, and in the middle lies the dead Superman.
The picture is dim, but there is a light on the side of Superman, and there is a crucifix-like wreckage behind it.
All are reminiscent of paintings depicting the death of Jesus.
The second meaning is to let us see the quality of "Zhenglian".
Whedon's version, a narrative of dialogue.
Tell a story with lines, efficient, but tasteless.
The Za Guide version is a visual narrative.
Tell a story with picture-rich shots and metaphors.
(It is not excluded that some metaphors are obscure and cannot be seen over and over again.) ）
Take action scenes, for example.
Good action scenes are never for the sake of fighting.
If you look at the director cut, you can see that each fight has obvious emotional/character clues.
A comparison:
Whedon's version, the first time the Union fights Steppenwolf, the Flash rescues Diana with lightning speed, and can't control the inertia planted on her.
One action that can be seen that some of Whedon's characters emphasize the label of easy to understand.
The za guide version has one more action scene, which specifically describes the personality of Xiao Shan.
Witness a car accident on the side of the road, and launch a quick change of the damage caused by the car accident to save the girl.
This set of actions to change the momentum of food is enough to show that he is a talkative otaku, but there is a delicate and romantic side to his personality.
△ Image source: Trailer for Zach Schneider's Version of Justice League
The third meaning is the most important for fans.
——Za Dao let the future continuation of the DC Universe return to the "right track".
The transformation of the Whedon version has misaligned the entire series.
Let's just say a character, Superman.
The most bullish point of the guide cut version is the reshaping of Superman.
Cinema version, Superman is too "invincible".
Superman is resurrected, instantly overriding Steppenwolf, and completing the entire output with one person's power.
An illusion arises:
Steppenwolf is very weak, and the other superheroes are playing soy sauce.
After the adjustment of za director, the Justice League really looks like a team, a league.
That period of war was originally very rich in layers:
Positive Alliance vs Steppenwolf.
Superman's strong point containment; Aquaman's fatal blow; Diana's severed head; Batman stabilizing the rear; The Flash reversing time and space, steel bones and Superman working together to separate the mother box...
Each performs its own duties and is united in its will.
Implemented the sentence that Za Dao once said on social networks: "Steel bone is the heart of The Positive Union".
In other words, each member has his or her own role in the alliance.
Zadao didn't make Superman too invincible, for another reason:
He always hopes to project his reflection on "Superman".
The absolute power of God, and, the absolute desires of man.
Superman, in previous film and television works, is the embodiment of absolute justice.
And zadao's approach:
Let "God" experience the tribulations of "man" and show the common vulnerability of the two.
Feared by the world, suspected by other heroes.
The Za Guide Edition has an intriguing foreshadowing:
Batman remains wary of Superman.
When Superman is resurrected, Steel Bones sees the future, Darkseid masters the anti-life equation (a superpower that engulfs everything and makes humans lose consciousness of freedom), and Wonder Woman and Aquaman are killed.
All indications suggest that Superman may be blackened.
Superman Support Alliance, first appeared in the "Black Super Form".
In Batman's dream, Superman has a hot gaze and an evil smile.
About Superman blackening, it was buried in BVS as early as possible.
The Superman cloak hides Kryptonian text from the mythological writer Joseph Campbell's book Hero with a Thousand Faces:
"Where we thought we would find an abomination, we saw God.
Where we thought we would kill others, we killed ourselves. ”
So.
If we can still expect another superhero universe other than Marvel, which is wonderful enough.
Only DC.
If we also expect someone to make DC unbundled by capital and become the next "Marvel".
That person can only be Zach Schneider.
Finally, in order not to spoil too much.
Sir only summarizes some of the highlights of the Za guide version of "Zhenglian" with words for the reference of interested poisoned rice.
1) The overall style is more gloomy, Darkseid will replace Steppenwolf as the ultimate boss, but will not do it himself in this part (strongly hinting at the sequel).
2, steel bone and xiaoshan's role will be more complete, especially the personal experience of steel bone, will be the absolute protagonist of this work, he is far more powerful than the original, and his contradictions and entanglements with his family will become the key factor in whether Zhenglian can save the world.
3, longer than the theater version of the battle scene, from the ancient war to the final battle, the Za guide version is a pro plus version.
4. There are scenes in the film that hint at the big ultra-blackening more than once, which is one of the important twists that will appear in the positive trilogy.
5. Deleted the Marvel-style boring rescue scene at the end.
6, turn the tail chapter into a huge Easter egg and foreshadowing, the "positive union" will differentiate, and will be re-assembled in a way that you absolutely cannot imagine. (Strong hint again at the sequel)
Finally, Sir would like to make some suggestions.
The appearance of the Za director version of "Justice League" is of course a fan victory.
But it's not a must-have hustle.
If you are indeed unfamiliar with DC works, Sir recommends making up for the previous works first (there is news that the domestic guide will be cut after the launch, and it is not too late to watch at that time).
And the strong interest in poisonous rice should also be paid attention to.
The film is 4 hours long, and if you decide to watch it, Sir suggests that you set aside enough time to put down your phone and watch it all at once to feel this huge epic of immersion.
Patience is a test of course.
Patience is also a necessary quality for us to approach "beauty".
"Positive Union" is worth it.
Za director, fans of the petition, Warner executives who boosted the project, actors who personally went off... They deserve it.
And you, the one who loves movies.
More worth it.
The picture in this article comes from the network
Editorial Assistants: Gilmour's Gyro, Brad Tepi