Despite there being relatively little fanfare in advance, HBO Max just dropped the Justice Is Gray edition of Zack Snyder's Justice League on the streaming service.
Presented in black & white, this version surely won't be for everyone, but it is Snyder's preferred version of the four-hour movie (which is likely to make it a must-watch for the filmmaker's hardcore fans). In the past, he's described this cut as "the most fan-centric, most pure Justice League experience. Because that's how I lived with the movie for two years, in black-and-white."
Looking at the extended preview clip below, the visuals do appear to be a little murky, but are likely to be more impressive on a decent-sized screen in 4K. Snyder has previously hinted that this version will include more of Jared Leto's Joker, so we'll be keeping an eye out for that.
This Justice Is Gray sneak peek is very spoilery, though we're betting you've watched the Snyder Cut by now! Either way, you can check out our review of Zack Snyder's Justice League right here.
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of the DCEU movies according to Rotten Tomatoes!
10. Suicide Squad
Score: 26%
Rotten or Fresh? Rotten
Critics Consensus: Suicide Squad boasts a talented cast and a little more humor than previous DCEU efforts, but they aren't enough to save the disappointing end result from a muddled plot, thinly written characters, and choppy directing.
Task Force X's debut was a box office hit, but issues behind the scenes meant that the finished product was something of a mess. There was a lot here that worked, and it's a shame critics mostly focused on what didn't, especially as the dynamic between these villains was a blast to follow. Ultimately, it was Harley Quinn and Deadshot who stole the show thanks to Margot Robbie and Will Smith.
9. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Score: 28%
Rotten or Fresh? Rotten
Critics Consensus: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice smothers a potentially powerful story -- and some of America's most iconic superheroes -- in a grim whirlwind of effects-driven action.
It may have been vastly different from what Marvel Studios delivered in terms of tone, but Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice didn't deserve the negative reviews it received, even if there were some questionable creative decisions (Batman should never kill). Seeing the Man of Steel go to war with the Dark Knight was a blast, and from a visual standpoint, Zack Snyder delivered a stunning, must-see epic movie.
8. Justice League (2017)
Score: 40%
Rotten or Fresh? Rotten
Critics Consensus: Justice League leaps over a number of DC movies, but its single bound isn't enough to shed the murky aesthetic, thin characters, and chaotic action that continue to dog the franchise.
Justice League was a mixture of two competing visions (Zack Snyder's original movie and Joss Whedon's extensive reshoots), but it certainly wasn't the worst superhero movie ever released! Whedon's hopeful take on Superman was welcomed, but the cheesy humour was not, and Steppenwolf proved to be a major disappointment. It will be interesting seeing how "The Snyder Cut" fares when it hits HBO Max next year.
7. Man Of Steel
Score: 56%
Rotten or Fresh? Rotten
Critics Consensus: Man of Steel's exhilarating action and spectacle can't fully overcome its detours into generic blockbuster territory.
Considered the best big screen take on Superman by many fans, critics weren't quite what to make of a darker take on this character in Man of Steel (General Zod's death remains a huge talking point even seven years later). There were a tonne of iconic moments, though, including Superman taking flight for the first time and that memorable final reveal that he'd donned a pair of glasses to work at The Daily Planet.
6. Wonder Woman 1984
Score: 59%
Rotten or Fresh? Rotten
Critics Consensus: Wonder Woman 1984 struggles with sequel overload, but still offers enough vibrant escapism to satisfy fans of the franchise and its classic central character.
When the review embargo first lifted, Wonder Woman 1984 had a score in the high 80s and a completely different Critics Consensus to the one you've read above...oh, and it was "Certified Fresh" as well! That all changed in the weeks which followed, hence why this sequel is now considered "Rotten." Why the response so drastically altered is hard to say, but this take on Diana Prince was not embraced by fans.
5. Aquaman
Score: 65%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
Critics Consensus: Aquaman swims with its entertainingly ludicrous tide, offering up CGI superhero spectacle that delivers energetic action with an emphasis on good old-fashioned fun.
Aquaman was definitely a step in the right direction for the DC Extended Universe, but not even that made many critics happy! There were heaps of incredible visuals, lots of groundbreaking technology, and some legitimately funny jokes, and the action was definitely strong. It sometimes tried a little too hard to be a Marvel movie, though, so that could explain why it wasn't ultimately "Certified Fresh."
4. Zack Snyder's Justice League
Score: 73%
Rotten or Fresh? Fresh
Critics Consensus: Zack Snyder's Justice League lives up to its title with a sprawling cut that expands to fit the director's vision -- and should satisfy the fans who willed it into existence.
Zack Snyder's Justice League has been embraced by fans (and many critics!), and it's currently just 2% away from being "Certified Fresh." Whether it will reach that status remains to be seen, but this four-hour epic has been embraced by most, even if it does nothing to change the minds of those who don't like the filmmaker's work. Now, the #RestoreTheSnyderVerse movement demanding a sequel has begun...
3. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Score: 78%
Rotten or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: With a fresh perspective, some new friends, and loads of fast-paced action, Birds of Prey captures the colorfully anarchic spirit of Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn.
Birds of Prey flopped at the box office, but was exactly the movie critics were looking for...well, mostly! While not quite a critical darling, Cathy Yan's unique take on the vibrant world of Harley Quinn was positively received, even if comic book fans were disappointed (and many will be angry to see it rank above the Snyder Cut). After all, the Birds of Prey were an afterthought in their own movie, but this still pretty good fun.
2. Shazam!
Score: 90%
Rotten or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: An effortlessly entertaining blend of humor and heart, Shazam! is a superhero movie that never forgets the genre's real power: joyous wish fulfillment.
The most Marvel-style DCEU movie to date, Shazam! was a legitimately very funny origin story for this character, but also one that featured a lot of heart. Given how weak the Seven Deadly Sins were as villains - and how rushed the introduction of the Shazam Family was - this score seems a little too high, but there's no getting around the fact that David F. Sandberg delivered an awesome take on this fan-favourite superhero.
1. Wonder Woman
Score: 93%
Rotten or Fresh? Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Thrilling, earnest, and buoyed by Gal Gadot's charismatic performance, Wonder Woman succeeds in spectacular fashion.
Still considered the best DCEU movie by many, Patty Jenkins definitely exceeded expectations with Wonder Woman and will hopefully do the same again with Wonder Woman 1984. Making it clear that female-led superhero blockbusters can work, the 2017 release was a lot of fun, features a great cast, and an unforgettable - and now iconic scene courtesy of that "No Man's Land" sequence set during WWI.