Director Zachary Edward Snyder is perhaps best known for his critically lauded artistic masterpiece Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), especially its Ultimate Edition (2016), the bedrock of his widely acclaimed DC Cinematic Universe and the director has been anything but shy regarding his love of comic books and their big screen adaptations. Now, following the recent 7-year anniversary of Batman v Superman this month, we look at 5 of them that shook the world with their introduction in movie theaters throughout the years.
Let alone the fact moviegoers and cinematic scholars contend Zack Snyder is the single greatest director to ever enter the industry, that is besides the point of this article, and thus won't be delved into in full here.
1. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Ultimate Edition (2016)
We would be remiss in failing to mention this absolute juggernaut of a film, if you can call all that's contained within it, just a film, in reality it's more like a comic book Bible that every fan of these titular heroes should watch before anything else. It is by definition the definitive Comic Book Movie that has other movies in its wake trailing behind, and saw the introduction of what is considered the greatest Batman of all time.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Ultimate Edition took small screens by storm when it released on July 16, 2016. This left fans absolutely clamoring for more DC films directed by Zack Snyder, in fact culminating in arguably the most viral Twitter trend of all time (more on that later).
This addition to the DC Film slate saw Batman (Ben Affleck) fight Superman (Henry Cavill) in a deeply philosophical and morally challenging row that has critical lens of modern society and media. This tops our list due to the innumerable moral questions this film poses about the very essence of human nature and what it means to deal with trauma.
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Ultimate Edition - Director's Commentary (2020)
This entry yet again reintroduces Zack Snyder's stunning storytelling but this time with fascinating insight into the process and belief system crucial in crafting the everything of this single film. In it, Zack delves into the complex notions surrounding the building of this massive monument to the titular DC heroes, all the way from his inspirations for Batman's complicated psyche and motivations to the gears that needed to be turned to see the iconic and still talked about Martha scene brought to life.
This special presentation premiered on March 29, 2020.
3. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Theatrical Edition) (2016)
Coming in third on our list is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Theatrical Edition) (2016). While inferior to its Ultimate Edition counterpart (Zack Snyder's true vision), we deeply believe this still tops 99% of comic book movies released thus far and is still very much an event film. This premiered on March 25, 2016.
4. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
Arguably Zack Snyder's magnum opus, this pained us to place it at just #4 - in reality, it has been argued as the single most important art film in all of cinema and pop culture today. Without the vocal support of 700,000+ fans on just Twitter alone, WB (BIG MEANIE) would have kept it and its iconic Flash (Ezra Miller) scene stuffed in their dirty vaults in Hollywood. It is often referred to as the apex of film-making with its stunning 4:3 aspect ratio that captures all of Zack Snyder's pinnacle masterpiece in all its holy glory.
This cinematic masterpiece sees the Justice League fight Steppenwolf against control of the earth by Darkseid. It premiered March 25, 2021.
5. Zack Snyder's Justice League - Justice is Grey Edition (2021)
Coming in at #5, last but far from least, is Zack Snyder's jaw-dropping and seemingly (more on this later) final entry in his DC Cinematic Universe. While a lot like the original, this version presents his ground-breaking take on these mythological heroes in stunning black-and-white color. It is touted by Snyder as his favorite version of the film, and we don't blame him, the colors can be distracting when the focus should be such bold ideas!
That concludes our list of Zack Snyder's top 5 comic book films. We are once again asking WB to #RestoreTheSnyderverse. Hundreds of millions of fans around the world are still begging WB to restore the Snyderverse and return DC to its golden glory it once was. In fact, we suspect WB removed Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) in cinemas due to the fact Snyder would become far more powerful than they could possibly imagine. But hope and justice prevail, and the power of the people overrides that of a faceless, soulless corporation, and democracy will win in the end. There is no greater contemporary social cause to get behind than that of the restoration of Zack Snyder as head of DC Films. #RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Man of Steel (2013)
Often forgotten but still extremely significant as the foundation for Zack Snyder's work at DC and the definitive rebirth of art in cinema is Man of Steel (2013). Beloved by comic fans and non-comic fans alike for its comic book accuracy and reinvention of the Man of Tomorrow to modern tastes, Man of Steel saw the dawn of this hero face off against General Zod (Michael Shannon) in what many argue is one of Snyder's films of all time. Truly incredible.
Watchmen (2009)
Often hailed as the turning point in Zack Snyder's career that would eventually lead to his highly acclaimed, beloved and all around iconic DC cinematic universe would be none other than Watchmen. In this stunningly accurate, globally beloved and groundbreaking adaptation of Alan Moore's well-received Watchmen comic book, retired heroes attempt to find who is responsible for the death of Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
It released on March 6, 2009.
#RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE
#RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE
#RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE
WE CAN'T SAY IT ANY LOUDER #RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE