Warner Bros. wouldn't let Zack Snyder release a 3 hour version of 'Batman v Superman'

The internet has spoken! Even critics who hated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have said that the 3 hour Ultimate Edition is a much better movie. So why wasn't this version released in theaters? The R-rating could have easily been avoided with a few minor tweaks. But the real issue Warner Bros. had with the Ultimate Edition was how long it was.

In the video interview with Collider above, which was done back in March right before the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder explained that the Ultimate Edition was the version of the movie he was working with right until the very end. Unfortunately Warner Bros. felt it was too long, and had him cut out over 30 minutes.

"It was in there until very recently, so all of it’s finished. It was really just a function of time, to be honest. Because the movie’s long now, long-ish—I don’t think it’s long, but when you get over two and a half hours the studio starts getting nervous. I’m not James Cameron who’s like ‘No it’s three hours, suck it!’, which is cool by the way. I just wanted to try and get it to a length that is work-able."

While I understand the business decision behind not wanting to release a 3 hour movie (it can be played less times throughout the day, and audiences are generally turned off by longer movies), it's disappointing to see all the flack that Snyder received over a version of the movie that wasn't truly his. That's the norm in Hollywood though. Unless you're as Snyder said, a James Cameron, you have to let the studio have their say. It's their money, after all!

But from a fan perspective, it would have been interesting to see how the Ultimate Edition would have been reviewed. From the feedback I've seen online, it would have gotten much better scores. Perhaps the biggest complaint would have been "it's too long", rather than the other gripes that critics had.

I just thought this was a very interesting and honest interview with Zack Snyder to look back on, given the positive reaction the Ultimate Edition is getting today. What do you think? Do you understand why Warner Bros. made Snyder cut down his movie? Do you wish they gave him more freedom? Sound off in the comments below!

SOURCE: Collider

391 comments

RichardPapen00

June 28, 2016

Just watched it. It's certainly a better movie than the theatrical version. Most of the parts I thought didn't flow well or didn't add up plot wise worked better with the added scenes. The thirty extra minutes didn't feel all that much longer than the theatrical version.

If people liked the theatrical version or were middle of the road about it, I think they'd like it more, but I don't think it's going to change the minds of the people who act like Snyder is worse than Hitler and like the theatrical version of BvS became suddenly sentient and killed their parents in a dark alley leaving a movie theatre. Those minds are made up and they are very vocal about how they feel about this film.

Orion
June 29, 2016
Exactly with or without blaming WB for the cuts. People still won't like the film.

Sheev Palpatine

June 28, 2016

BvS is a mess. Theatrical and directors cut.
It's a bloated, badly editited, badly written mess of a movie.

alec
June 29, 2016
Says the guy who likes SW

Bats2012

June 28, 2016

TDK trilogy didn't suffer from this, thankfully.

Bats2012

June 28, 2016

Here, you forgot this "/s"

Cynical Optimist

June 28, 2016

Can't wait to see another director take the wheel

JaySilentBob

June 28, 2016

The theatrical cut was great, but the directors cut was simply awesome!

IamTheOneWhoKnocks

June 28, 2016

Lol...great gif, sums it all up.

IamTheOneWhoKnocks

June 28, 2016

All in all, I'm so happy this ultimate cut cleared things up about what the real movie was. Excellent on all accounts. DCEU just took the number 1 spot of all comicbook movies, and the future looks even brighter. Great job!!

qownsqud

June 28, 2016

this is a crazy overreaction to what is realistically only a minor improvement.

the internet is a bizarre place, one minute they're all up in arms crying for his head the next they're all "told you so" and shamelessly hopping back on the bandwagon

Stoibs
June 28, 2016
While I agree that the cut is not masterpiece, it is clearly a better movie. I gave the original movie a 5/10. I gave the Ultimate Edition a 7/10. The major issues were pacing, characterization, and the end battle. The end battle is still the same, but Superman is semi-redeemed by the ultimate cut, and the pacing is miles away better. It's just a better movie. Maybe people are going overboard, but this is the movie that should have been released in theaters. The reviews would have been better and the box office would have seen a slight uptick. I mean at least stuff in the movie makes sense now!
1. Canucks Fan
  June 28, 2016
  Yup it fixes a lot of the problems not all of them and makes it an enjoyable more accessible movie for people
  Excited for Suicide Squad now and Comic Con
  1. qownsqud
    June 28, 2016
    while i agree with the both of you, that the pacing is fixed, i think its issues go much further than that, but thats a discussion for another day. the blind sheep are definitely a vocal few and are just taking this as an opportunity to shove their petty stand in the face of the majority...
    but moving on, the capitol scene should have stayed! inexcusable, in 30 seconds showed the Superman that everyone was looking for. blows my mind that they took that out
    1. Stoibs
      June 28, 2016
      The capitol scene, the lead lining of the wheelchair, the entire africa scene, clark visiting gotham, his phone call with his mother, lois' investigation. These were all essential to the story. I'm still just surprised they allowed that theatrical release when things literally did not make sense. Just adding the first Martha Kent scene made me actually connect to the "vision" of Jonathan scene. The theatrical cut just drops Superman in Smallville and has him talk with his mother out of nowhere. This may seem minor, but it really made me shake my head. Clark visiting Gotham gave him actual motivation for hunting down Batman and gave us a better understanding of where Batman stands. I mean I could go on for hours. But I do think your rating is fair.
    2. Orion
      June 29, 2016
      I guess we have Snyder to thank for that.
2. qownsqud
  June 28, 2016
  I would say 4/10 for theatrical, and a 5/10 for the ultimate. For me personally, the characters are still an absolute mess and certain plotholes still stand and I will probably never be able to get over the whole Martha ordeal, but you're right. At least some of it makes sense now
  1. AquaCthulhu
    June 29, 2016
    Could you please list out the plot-holes in the U-Edition?
    1. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      here's one right off the top of my head, how the fuck does lex know batman is bruce wayne?
    2. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      Really? That's a plot-hole just because it wasn't laid out in front of us?
      Lex is, much like his comic-book counterpart, someone who's obsessed with metahumans ('Gods among men') and has been amassing all kinds of information about them. How does he do that? He's a tech-billionaire with a ton of resources. He knows the secret-identity of the Flash, Cyborg, Diana, probably even Arthur Curry (the Metahuman files). Don't you think he would investigate the Demon of Gotham as well? The how doesn't matter, what matters is if he's capable of it. And he is.
    3. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      um... batman's secret identity is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the DC universe. The only people that have been able to figure out his identity are the people that Batman tells. He has just as many, if not more resources than Lex to guard his greatest secret and for you to just chalk that up as Lex having resources is ridiculous. You think Batman just leaves traces of his identity for any billionaire to find? Batman is one of the smartest, most careful, strategically acute, and obsessed people in the comic book world. People don't just find out who he is because of "resources", not unless you give us a solid explanation
      I can already see where this is going, you'll have some fabricated excuse for everything. You're obviously one of those people that think this movie can just do no wrong
    4. Kris Knight
      June 29, 2016
      At some point, general comic fans have to come to the realization that not everything in comics can be adapted perfectly into the movies without some kind of loss of credibility.
      Bruce's secret identify was compromised in TDK also. Why? Because at some point, the movies try to be a little more realistic that the comics. Simple.
      It's heavily implied Lex is a tech multi-billionaire. He has researched meta-humans extensively. I'm not sure how you think it's impossible for him to find out who Batman is.
      Secret identities were always a convenient plot holes in comic books. But it's fine, we accepted because that's the kind of fantastic world they offered (Clark and Superman, c'mon). When you read comics, you buy into that stuff. These modern movie universes work a bit differently.
    5. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      I agree that its unrealistic to be able to adapt. that is not my issue. sure its convenient when its lazy screenwriting and that was the case here. he just knew because it was convenient for Zach Snyder that Lex knew.
      Batman's identity being figured out by John Blake in TDKR was also in fact a plothole. Bane knowing it because he was in The League of Shadows, where Raas was the leader and Bruce trained directly under him? Not a plothole. Lex just picking it up on the way with no explanation just to pass the time and being able to use it against him? plothole.
    6. Kris Knight
      June 29, 2016
      I was also referring to that consultant in TDK who figures out Batman's identity through the accounting and research he does at Wayne Enterprises. These divergences from comics are always going to happen. It's the nature of the medium. I have no issues with them at all, as long as the universe they create, we can buy into. Just like one comic run differs from another in the way it interprets characters, locations, villains, plot lines, etc, movies do the same.
    7. Kerk Lastnameless
      June 29, 2016
      Not just DC. Look at the X-men. So many movies, yet the potential is still unrealized. And when they finally tried to realize it with Apocalypse, it turned out a by-the-numbers-blockbuster snoozefest.
      Now that I think of it, I can hardly remember any awesome action scenes from any of the X-Men movies. Maybe Magneto here and there, but that's it!
    8. Kris Knight
      June 29, 2016
      Popular does not equal good. That's the whole point of the way the term "pop" is used. Lowest common denominator for the masses. I won't go too far into this, but Marvel movies have ranged from mediocre (IM2, IM3, Thor2, AoU) to above average (IM1, Winter Soldier). Nothing great, nothing spectacular, nothing game changing. They have their style adapted for the masses (the classic age-long Disney formula). And that's fine, I'm ok with it. WB has a different approach which resonates better with me. To each their own.
    9. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      The Riddler figures it out in the Hush storyline. And Riddler doesn't even have half the resources. Hush is widely considered one of the best Batman story-arcs, if I need to mention that.
      Lex Luthor's company is based in advanced technology while it's just a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. Bruce does not have higher tech than Lex.
      It's hard to not leave traces when you have no idea what could and couldn't be traced. Lex isn't just 'any' billionaire! WTF? Not sure if you've ever heard about the great debate between who's smarter between Bruce and Lex in the DC Multiverse.
      And you are obviously one of those who insist the movie must've done something wrong.
    10. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      The riddler is obsessed with the Batman, and an actual Batman villain, AND involved an actual reveal. Never said that nobody figured it out. Lex mentions it in passing, like it was easy and no big deal, and as if its no great secret. To me, there are clear black and white differences. It's a very closely held secret and should be held in such a respect.
      However, I can see that I was disrespectful in my response because I mistook you as almost every other troll here who actually have no idea what they're talking about. You do, I apologize, and I am interested in having an actual discussion.
      What's your take on the Martha ordeal?
    11. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      This movie made a case of contrasting Bruce and Lex as two sides of the same coin. They're both extremely rich, intelligent humans who fight for what they believe to be right in ways they see fit. 'The magical thinking of orphaned boys'. Have you seen the Ultimate edition? Lex reveals he knows Batman's identity in the prison-scene at the end of the movie. It's very reminiscent of the Hush-reveal and I believe that's where the influence came from. I agree Lex isn't Batman's nemesis but it is no way disrespectful of Batman that another character regarded just as cerebral as Batman himself has figured it out.
      My take? Well, I'd say it connected with me on an emotional level and I don't consider it a plot-hole because there's a reason why Superman said 'Martha' instead of 'mom' and I could get over that 'You're letting him kill Martha' is the one line that could freeze Batman even in his heightened state of rage. It feels like it was lazy because it's fundamentally so simple but considering it goes back to why Batman became Batman, it made sense to me.
    12. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      He knew about Bruce before he started making any plans. As I said it he found out on his hunt for the Metahuman Thesis which predates all the events of the movie. Senator Finch acknowledged it earlier in the movie when the Senators meet Lex in the Research Park.
      I'm saying the reveal shows that it wasn't just a simple thing and that Lex is actually really proud of himself for figuring out.
      Making Bruce angrier has always been part of his plan. In the U-edition there's a scene where Mercy looks at the Kryptonite that Batman fails to acquire due to Superman's intervention and she smiles at him. He does not smile back because his plan was to have Batman steal it and use it to kill Superman.
      https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
      Later when Batman breaks into the Research Park, Lex sees the Kryptonite-holding case is empty with a Batarang stuck into it, he actually smiles a little. He looks content with himself in this shot:
      https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
    13. Schuyler Finley
      June 29, 2016
      http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-...
      http://scifi.stackexchange....
      Most closely guarded secret, my ass!
    14. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      all of which either have personal ties to batman or can be considered plotholes...
    15. Schuyler Finley
      June 29, 2016
      And unless, you want to verify each person listed, I suggest you just accept that it's kind of easy for some people to find out his identity.
    16. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      er yeah that's my fault, didn't bother reading the article. never said no one figured it out. It's fine as long as we get a legitimate explanation.
      But let's stick to canon kid, anyone can make up a story where Sherlock Holmes is able to deduce Batman's identity. that article was a waste of my time
    17. Schuyler Finley
      June 29, 2016
      And I guess you just other characters who are canon or were retconned. I guess the first thing you saw was Sherlock Holmes, and immediately assumed that every other reveal was from an elseworld's story.
    18. qownsqud
      June 29, 2016
      okay well ask yourself this:
      Was there some sort of reveal for each of those people that knew Batman's identity?
      Was there a good explanation? Were the vast majority of them better reasons than "vast resources?"
      Because in BvS we were given none of these.
    19. Schuyler Finley
      June 29, 2016
      Some found out by pure luck. Others were told by other people who already knew. Heck, one of the villains is mention by Robin or Nightwing that she knows Bruce's identity, but we're never told how.
      http://goodcomics.comicbook...
    20. Zoom
      June 29, 2016
      but not showing how he learned it (similar to Supermans identity) is just messy and lazy. It bothered the hell out of me too. And if Lex knows who they all are, what is stopping him now from telling everybody? they didnt even address that. I was really hoping for more explanation on that front in the UE but alas nada.
    21. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      "But who would believe me ... Uh, I'm insane." - Lex.
      Besides they could address this in JL since Lex will be back.
    22. Schuyler Finley
      June 29, 2016
      If Lex had suddenly found out about Bruce's identity, then you could consider it a plot-hole. However, the movie implies that he knew about it for a long time. And like MaybeICanHelpYouWithThat had said, Lex researched and was able to deduce who the Batman is.
    23. Schuyler Finley
      June 29, 2016
      By your definition, unanswered questions in general are plot-holes. Plot-holes are basically implausibilities, something that the movie cannot absolutely explain with a simple handwave or retcon. Bruce Wayne able to sneak into a locked-down city in TDKR? That's a plot-hole. Lex Luthor able to deduce Batman's identity before the movie by using his intellect, vast resources, and nearly unlimited patience? That's not a plot-hole.
    24. Phil
      July 2, 2016
      He figured it out in forever evil
Kerk Lastnameless
June 29, 2016
That's easily explainable. You see, most people here loved the original to death. It's just that lately, haters like me have been more vocal. But now it's the fans' time again. But even now you can hear the detractors' voices rise.
Orion
June 29, 2016
I find it disgusting. DC Fanboys disgust me. I thought I was a fanboy but these people are deluded. They just want someone to blame for their disappointment. I loved the movie and I'm sure I'll love the ultimate cut more but WB isn't responsible for what was unaccomplished in the theatrical cut.

IamTheOneWhoKnocks

June 28, 2016

Everyone can agree that BvS ultimate cut>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Civil War. Not even in the same league, thank you Snyder for this. Now on to JL1. I'm glad we have Wonder Woman and Suicide Squad to keep us busy until JL1.

Canucks Fan
June 28, 2016
You have a sad pathetic obsession with these movies get some help immediately like right now i really hope you don't reproduce
1. derp da derp
  June 28, 2016
  Because when I think of Canadians and French Canadians I think "inbred hicks"...
  1. Zoom
    June 29, 2016
    lol racist much?
2. Canucks Fan
  June 28, 2016
  I suppose you wanna get a reaction out of me?
  You won't but you can try i'm sure you will just like you will continue to try to troll this website with your pathetic obsession
  I imagine you're some 12 year old kid Mr.Internet Tough Guy based on your posts
Zoom
June 29, 2016
lol in your fanboy dreams.
In any case most certainly not "everyone" agrees with your statement. Hell if you would go on social media and forums most would actually disagree with you. Civil War is still the superior movie and one of the best superherofilms period. Even DC fan Kevin Smith said so.
1. alec
  June 29, 2016
  It is not one of the best superhero movies at all, it is the most hyped and prepared over the years (since 2008) to achieve an "epic" battle between all the characters they could put in a movie with no other reason than just attract people to see the movie. Civil War would be like a Fantastic Four (2015) if it was the second movie of the MCU, without the other movies before it it's nothing
2. Jaime spenser
  June 29, 2016
  BVS was way overhyped which led to this fiasco as well.

GaboPSN

June 28, 2016

"...felt it was too long"

What happened to those days when a movie could be like 4h long and no one gave a sh*t? If it's good, then people will be watching it 'till the credits roll at the end (or have people become pussier nowadays).

Kris Knight
June 28, 2016
It's called the post-internet social media world of kids with ADD.
neodymium
June 28, 2016
Makes me wish this movie had been 4 hours and we could go back to the old days when stage plays had a 15-30 minute Intermission, a recess, before going back in to finish the story
AquaCthulhu
June 29, 2016
"No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough." - Roger Ebert.
He was one delightful reviewer who truly loved film unlike the man-child bloggers these days.
1. Kris Knight
  June 29, 2016
  You nailed it. I loved reading Ebert's reviews. There were lots of instances I didn't agree with his overall rating. But almost every time, through the way he expressed his reviews, I understood his point of view, and respected his opinion. It's a rare occurrence nowadays. Like you said, the internet is littered with self-proclaimed experts who can't tell Shakespeare from Seth Rogen.
  When Iron Man 3 gets a higher RT score than Hateful Eight, you know something significant is wrong with the industry.
  1. AquaCthulhu
    June 29, 2016
    Yes, Roger always made it clear why he didn't like something or why he liked something else. His reviews were insightful while the ones today call a movie dark because the scenes aren't set in a brightly lit room!
    Yes, it shows how bad a time it is for artistic integrity.
Kris Knight
June 29, 2016
Disney is indeed the scourge of Hollywood. The most corporate and formulaic of all movie studios. Every single product of theirs is manufactured diligently and exhaustively by executives and marketers to appeal to the most vast amount of kids and teenagers as possible, and to shape their tastes and expectations for future releases. So that creates a generation of masses who brainlessly get used to and manipulated to like the same generic formula in their movies, and totally spaz out when something different is presented. The Simpsons were right, Disney is evil.

residentgrigo

June 28, 2016

Dear mods. Who the hell are the unblockable trolls who hijacked the site? Is this a feature?

Canucks Fan
June 28, 2016
Yeah wondering that myself sent an email to Chris
Kris Knight
June 28, 2016
People gotta stop engaging with them. The only reason they do it is because they want a reaction. Just ignore, they'll die off or get blocked eventually. And if they're back, rince, lather, repeat.
Kerk Lastnameless
June 28, 2016
Yes, unlock a troll -- get a free premium membership for a month!

Kris Knight

June 28, 2016

Word to the wise, don't feed the trolls people.

Phil

June 28, 2016

I haven't seen the movie yet. But I will be buying the Ultimate Cut when it comes out on Blu-ray and I don't give a rat's ass about the haters.

Fares Mhaya

June 28, 2016

Can anyone here tell me about the nude scenes in the Ultimate Edition? What do they include? How long do they last? Thinking about watching it with my younger brother. Violence isn't a problem but nudity just makes things awkward.

neodymium
June 28, 2016
The scene with Clark and Lois in the bathtub does get a little steamier (clark takes off his shirt when he gets in)
You also see Batass in the shower.
Thats as nude as things get
1. Jaime spenser
  June 29, 2016
  Probably skip that then, hated the bathroom moment. When I get the DVD.
  1. Fares Mhaya
    June 29, 2016
    I'll probably fast forward a bit or tell him about it before watching it.
2. Fares Mhaya
  June 29, 2016
  Thanks.

Abkinxoc

June 28, 2016

Then they try to say that wb gives its directors more freedom.

residentgrigo

June 28, 2016

Yeah, pretty much. I wonder if Gym Jones has psychiatrists on staff?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media...

Zoom

June 29, 2016

Just watched the Ultimate Cut and its really not that different from the normal version. Not a single new Wonder Woman or Batman vs Superman scene. Jena Malone has barely 2 minutes screentime (the hype about her role seems so ridiculous now), no new action scenes either (just a few more graphic quick shots and added blood spurts). The bulk of the new footage centers around Lex ´manipulations and machinations but honestly they really just make the movie feel more stretched out. Almost none of the new scenes are very memorable or important for the story. However one thing I loved was that they added the Steppenwolf scene back in (Further proving that it was always just a deleted scene and never an intended post credits teaser). Some dialogue is extended but nothing major (nice mention of Arkham though).

All in all its really pretty much the same movie. It´s ridiculous how so many people hyped this as a "very different movie" and a totally different experience because it´s not. Its pretty much just the movie with the deleted scenes added back in. And it shows. The flow and pace of the movie is really off, especially the first half has been slowed down even more and really drags on for way too long. The theatrical cut feels a lot tighter (and even that version had serious pacing problems especially in the first half but the UE makes that even worse). And except for the Steppenwolf scene and some of the scenes that explain some things a bit more the new footage is pretty irrelevant and you can see why it was cut out in the first place.

Longer is not always better and in the cinema most moviegoers would have been pretty bored with the first half especially. So cutting it down to 150 minutes was definitely a smart choice. Though to be honest they should have cut out another 15 minutes or so from the first half to make it tighter and more driven (and kept some of the things from the UE instead). It was not a very well edited movie and while the UE does not feel as choppy, instead it feels a great deal longer and more dragging.

But yeah the UE is not a new movie, its not even a much better movie because the new footage is just not relevant enough. More action and WW would have done wonders (no pun intended). However the Steppenwolf scene is great and the Africa sequence is infinitely better and finally makes actual sense. But it does not justify the hype for the UE. Because all of the best stuff was already in the theatrical version.

sadly there is also no "Batman steals the kryptonite" scene (that a lot of fans had been hoping for) and even though Snyder said in interviews that there would be a changed ending , its the same ending (just a bit more dialogue, nothing relevant).

so yeah I really don´t get how this version would change anyones opinion about the movie. If you loved it you still love it, if you hated it you pretty much will still hate it. and even if you liked it you actually might prefer the theatrical version as the UE has greater lengths and drags more in the first half.

AquaCthulhu
June 29, 2016
Some of the supposedly 'same' scenes that play out the same still are different.
An example: When Bruce tells Diana they have to stand together she doesn't immediately say '100 years ago I walked away from mankind', unlike in the Theatrical-edition where she replies immediately. In the U-edition the scene is allowed to breathe, Diana even sighs before she replies. They digitally spaced the dialogue closer so they could save time. And they did this in many more scenes. This resulted in a cut that made the audience feel like a lot was happening too soon and ultimately felt a bit synthetic - Hence the better pacing. Despite the never-before-seen footage, this is how the UE is better. This is why some who hated it before (not you) like it much better now.
Caped Baldy
June 29, 2016
"Not a single new Wonder Woman or Batman vs Superman scene"
U sure u watched the UC??Lol
Batman on the monitor viewed by lex
New scene at the beginning of Supes and Batman fight plus additional one during the fight itself.
Superman after the senate hearing,Superman taking out the missile in the Africa scene.
Wonder Woman at the Exhibit.
Yeah,no new scenes at all
Smart Ass
June 29, 2016
Scenes are smoothened out, some rearranged. At the least it improves upon the Theatrical cut
http://screenrant.com/batma...

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June 29, 2016

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keefebuxtonlehman

June 29, 2016

Sounds like a step up but don't see how it could have possibly made this a good movie. Also should have had the foresight in knowing he was telling a story that would never fly unless allow the time limit that would never have been granted.

Jordan Oliver

June 29, 2016

What many people don't realize is that directors' cuts are sort of a sham. The director gets a go at another draft after the fact and then gets to claim, "oh this was my vision all along." When in fact it is really an additional subsequent draft, but now with the benefit of more time and after getting an infinite number notes from an infinite number of viewers.

We have absolutely no way of knowing if this version was the version he had in mind before the release or if it benefitted from additional months of tinkering and much more feedback.

All we know is that he and the studio tasked themselves with releasing a good movie in March, and according to many viewers they failed at that task. It is dumb to blame one or the other, studio or director, for any failings. It's a team sport: this blockbuster industry. To all goes the glory, or none.

Caped Baldy

June 29, 2016

Based Snyder forgives all you naysayers.

alec
June 29, 2016
What does "Based Snyder" mean please ?
1. Caped Baldy
  June 29, 2016
  according to Urban Dictionary, "based or Based God" means "A Based God is an individual that possesses maximum swagger, a mansion,
  sports cars, wonton soup and the inherent ability to f**k your b*tch.
  Moreover, you will actually beg him to f*k your b*tch simply because he
  is Based God. All these conditions must be met for an individual to be a
  Based God, though it is possible to have some and not all of these."
  LMAO!!!!

RockyJohan

June 29, 2016

I really liked the original cut as well but this one is even better!

Folly

June 29, 2016

I think the real problem is that Zack Snyder has a very detailed vision of how a movie has to be especially when the script already stand and that's why he has no idea how to pace it differently when some of those things fall away and why editors don't get how they are supposed to cut that darn movie.

alec

June 29, 2016

I hope JL doesn't get cut now. I mean it's a big movie with a lot of characters, I don't care if it's 3 hours on theater

Joe K.

June 29, 2016

Awesome version of the movie, glad to see a lot of people enjoying it more this time around. Even happier that he'll get to coast into SDCC with this win and his JL set visit win and get the respect he deserves from the crowd

Mario
June 29, 2016
Maybe it was his plan all along, clever Zack...
1. Joe K.
  June 29, 2016
  Haha maybe it was. He never threw WB under the bus and took it all on the chin for 3 months. Tough son of a gun

senor twats

June 29, 2016

poor Zack had to take it on the chin for WB, probably had to keep quiet in fear of losing his job. smh WB

Kris Knight
June 29, 2016
That has been my opinion also as to why he has stayed so quiet and loyal. He's a producer on almost all the DCEU movies. His wife also. He's contracted to direct Justice League 1 and 2, each a $200m+ project. It serves him no purpose to say anything. He'll only make matters worst.
The executives at WB saw what happens when you mess with an artist's work, for the sake of misguided corporate expectations. That's why the higher-ups reshuffled the brain trust. Geoff Johns and Jon Berg will serve as stop gaps. Meaning, a suit from the corporate office cannot do the same damage to future movies. Final decisions come from those two. And Zack being very close the Johns, this can only serve him for the better in movies to come.
Let's not forget that Wonder Woman has just began post-production under this new management team. I'm expecting Johns and company will allow the film makers much more freedom in the editing room than what Zack had to endure during BvS.
1. senor twats
  June 29, 2016
  man i hope they stay out of things, poor guy took all the heat for the TC.
  i agree with everything you said and i cant wait for JLA.

krampe1995

June 29, 2016

Sorry ZACK!
I feel sorry for you!=(

Cary David Hoffson

June 29, 2016

With this a fan has something to fight with now

Nashe

June 29, 2016

Theatrical cut was good enough. This interview is being taken out of context as usual. If your complaint about the TC was "too dark, Batman kills, no jokes, too long, tries to hard to set up JL,Doomsday spoiler, why Wonder Woman,Marvel rocks" then the UE is simply an additional half hour of the same things. If your complaints were "pacing,editing,Superman screen time" then maybe it looks wholesome. But overall I don't see how this significantly changes anything. But if you hated the first release and now you like the extended version then maybe you don't really pay attention in movies. Especially for true DC fans. Zack Snyder and co pretty much gave away character development for two years prior to release.

The moment they said they were taking heavy elemental inspiration from TDKR storyline I knew this was going to be a very angry and brutal Batman. I knew the movie was going to be dark. I knew someone was going to die. The Dark Knight Returns movie is even more cryptic. It just starts out with a retired Batman. No one complained about why Batman had gone out of the game. We just understood the story from the get go. So if they say repeatedly "this Batman is an angry version who has lost his way and is battle weary" I don't need step by step explanations. I take it from there. I don't expect to see a "regular" Batman. Just how dumb do people pretend to be? I expect to see a battle weary, brutal and misguided Batman. I expect Superman to have a big problem with that kind of "justice". Even without Luthor's additional icing on the cake manipulation.

I don't need further explanation as to why there is an obvious conflict between the two characters. Superman's versus motivation is clear cut and obvious. Batman was acting like a villain in the name of justice. Batman's anti Superman behavior is what is more nuanced. Pay attention to the first Batman scene. As soon as he gets back to the cave, Alfred asks , "New rules?". Bruce says "we are criminals" and Alfred's reply gives you everything you need to know about how far gone Batman is and how he is expressing his frustration of "pointless" crime fighting on Superman. That's how it starts. If one actually pays attention in the midst of munching down popcorn, it's so easy to appreciate the complexity of the story. If the idea is to compare with other movies or Disney style presentation, primarily tailored for children to comprehend then, I guess you won't get it. It's not about being daft versus being smart. It's about being able to distinguish presentation styles and most importantly acknowledging that some movies require you to pay attention.

Of course if you didn't like the movie due to the initial reasons I stated, your position is more respectable and justified

Schuyler Finley
June 30, 2016
Preach!

RichardPapen00
June 28, 2016
Just watched it. It's certainly a better movie than the theatrical version. Most of the parts I thought didn't flow well or didn't add up plot wise worked better with the added scenes. The thirty extra minutes didn't feel all that much longer than the theatrical version.
If people liked the theatrical version or were middle of the road about it, I think they'd like it more, but I don't think it's going to change the minds of the people who act like Snyder is worse than Hitler and like the theatrical version of BvS became suddenly sentient and killed their parents in a dark alley leaving a movie theatre. Those minds are made up and they are very vocal about how they feel about this film.
1. Orion
  June 29, 2016
  Exactly with or without blaming WB for the cuts. People still won't like the film.
Sheev Palpatine
June 28, 2016
BvS is a mess. Theatrical and directors cut.
It's a bloated, badly editited, badly written mess of a movie.
1. alec
  June 29, 2016
  Says the guy who likes SW
Bats2012
June 28, 2016
TDK trilogy didn't suffer from this, thankfully.
Bats2012
June 28, 2016
Here, you forgot this "/s"
Cynical Optimist
June 28, 2016
Can't wait to see another director take the wheel
JaySilentBob
June 28, 2016
The theatrical cut was great, but the directors cut was simply awesome!
IamTheOneWhoKnocks
June 28, 2016
Lol...great gif, sums it all up.
IamTheOneWhoKnocks
June 28, 2016
All in all, I'm so happy this ultimate cut cleared things up about what the real movie was. Excellent on all accounts. DCEU just took the number 1 spot of all comicbook movies, and the future looks even brighter. Great job!!
qownsqud
June 28, 2016
this is a crazy overreaction to what is realistically only a minor improvement.
the internet is a bizarre place, one minute they're all up in arms crying for his head the next they're all "told you so" and shamelessly hopping back on the bandwagon
1. Stoibs
  June 28, 2016
  While I agree that the cut is not masterpiece, it is clearly a better movie. I gave the original movie a 5/10. I gave the Ultimate Edition a 7/10. The major issues were pacing, characterization, and the end battle. The end battle is still the same, but Superman is semi-redeemed by the ultimate cut, and the pacing is miles away better. It's just a better movie. Maybe people are going overboard, but this is the movie that should have been released in theaters. The reviews would have been better and the box office would have seen a slight uptick. I mean at least stuff in the movie makes sense now!
  1. Canucks Fan
    June 28, 2016
    Yup it fixes a lot of the problems not all of them and makes it an enjoyable more accessible movie for people
    Excited for Suicide Squad now and Comic Con
    1. qownsqud
      June 28, 2016
      while i agree with the both of you, that the pacing is fixed, i think its issues go much further than that, but thats a discussion for another day. the blind sheep are definitely a vocal few and are just taking this as an opportunity to shove their petty stand in the face of the majority...
      but moving on, the capitol scene should have stayed! inexcusable, in 30 seconds showed the Superman that everyone was looking for. blows my mind that they took that out
      1. Stoibs
        June 28, 2016
        The capitol scene, the lead lining of the wheelchair, the entire africa scene, clark visiting gotham, his phone call with his mother, lois' investigation. These were all essential to the story. I'm still just surprised they allowed that theatrical release when things literally did not make sense. Just adding the first Martha Kent scene made me actually connect to the "vision" of Jonathan scene. The theatrical cut just drops Superman in Smallville and has him talk with his mother out of nowhere. This may seem minor, but it really made me shake my head. Clark visiting Gotham gave him actual motivation for hunting down Batman and gave us a better understanding of where Batman stands. I mean I could go on for hours. But I do think your rating is fair.
      2. Orion
        June 29, 2016
        I guess we have Snyder to thank for that.
  2. qownsqud
    June 28, 2016
    I would say 4/10 for theatrical, and a 5/10 for the ultimate. For me personally, the characters are still an absolute mess and certain plotholes still stand and I will probably never be able to get over the whole Martha ordeal, but you're right. At least some of it makes sense now
    1. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      Could you please list out the plot-holes in the U-Edition?
      1. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        here's one right off the top of my head, how the fuck does lex know batman is bruce wayne?
      2. AquaCthulhu
        June 29, 2016
        Really? That's a plot-hole just because it wasn't laid out in front of us?
        Lex is, much like his comic-book counterpart, someone who's obsessed with metahumans ('Gods among men') and has been amassing all kinds of information about them. How does he do that? He's a tech-billionaire with a ton of resources. He knows the secret-identity of the Flash, Cyborg, Diana, probably even Arthur Curry (the Metahuman files). Don't you think he would investigate the Demon of Gotham as well? The how doesn't matter, what matters is if he's capable of it. And he is.
      3. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        um... batman's secret identity is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the DC universe. The only people that have been able to figure out his identity are the people that Batman tells. He has just as many, if not more resources than Lex to guard his greatest secret and for you to just chalk that up as Lex having resources is ridiculous. You think Batman just leaves traces of his identity for any billionaire to find? Batman is one of the smartest, most careful, strategically acute, and obsessed people in the comic book world. People don't just find out who he is because of "resources", not unless you give us a solid explanation
        I can already see where this is going, you'll have some fabricated excuse for everything. You're obviously one of those people that think this movie can just do no wrong
      4. Kris Knight
        June 29, 2016
        At some point, general comic fans have to come to the realization that not everything in comics can be adapted perfectly into the movies without some kind of loss of credibility.
        Bruce's secret identify was compromised in TDK also. Why? Because at some point, the movies try to be a little more realistic that the comics. Simple.
        It's heavily implied Lex is a tech multi-billionaire. He has researched meta-humans extensively. I'm not sure how you think it's impossible for him to find out who Batman is.
        Secret identities were always a convenient plot holes in comic books. But it's fine, we accepted because that's the kind of fantastic world they offered (Clark and Superman, c'mon). When you read comics, you buy into that stuff. These modern movie universes work a bit differently.
      5. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        I agree that its unrealistic to be able to adapt. that is not my issue. sure its convenient when its lazy screenwriting and that was the case here. he just knew because it was convenient for Zach Snyder that Lex knew.
        Batman's identity being figured out by John Blake in TDKR was also in fact a plothole. Bane knowing it because he was in The League of Shadows, where Raas was the leader and Bruce trained directly under him? Not a plothole. Lex just picking it up on the way with no explanation just to pass the time and being able to use it against him? plothole.
      6. Kris Knight
        June 29, 2016
        I was also referring to that consultant in TDK who figures out Batman's identity through the accounting and research he does at Wayne Enterprises. These divergences from comics are always going to happen. It's the nature of the medium. I have no issues with them at all, as long as the universe they create, we can buy into. Just like one comic run differs from another in the way it interprets characters, locations, villains, plot lines, etc, movies do the same.
      7. Kerk Lastnameless
        June 29, 2016
        Not just DC. Look at the X-men. So many movies, yet the potential is still unrealized. And when they finally tried to realize it with Apocalypse, it turned out a by-the-numbers-blockbuster snoozefest.
        Now that I think of it, I can hardly remember any awesome action scenes from any of the X-Men movies. Maybe Magneto here and there, but that's it!
      8. Kris Knight
        June 29, 2016
        Popular does not equal good. That's the whole point of the way the term "pop" is used. Lowest common denominator for the masses. I won't go too far into this, but Marvel movies have ranged from mediocre (IM2, IM3, Thor2, AoU) to above average (IM1, Winter Soldier). Nothing great, nothing spectacular, nothing game changing. They have their style adapted for the masses (the classic age-long Disney formula). And that's fine, I'm ok with it. WB has a different approach which resonates better with me. To each their own.
      9. AquaCthulhu
        June 29, 2016
        The Riddler figures it out in the Hush storyline. And Riddler doesn't even have half the resources. Hush is widely considered one of the best Batman story-arcs, if I need to mention that.
        Lex Luthor's company is based in advanced technology while it's just a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. Bruce does not have higher tech than Lex.
        It's hard to not leave traces when you have no idea what could and couldn't be traced. Lex isn't just 'any' billionaire! WTF? Not sure if you've ever heard about the great debate between who's smarter between Bruce and Lex in the DC Multiverse.
        And you are obviously one of those who insist the movie must've done something wrong.
      10. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        The riddler is obsessed with the Batman, and an actual Batman villain, AND involved an actual reveal. Never said that nobody figured it out. Lex mentions it in passing, like it was easy and no big deal, and as if its no great secret. To me, there are clear black and white differences. It's a very closely held secret and should be held in such a respect.
        However, I can see that I was disrespectful in my response because I mistook you as almost every other troll here who actually have no idea what they're talking about. You do, I apologize, and I am interested in having an actual discussion.
        What's your take on the Martha ordeal?
      11. AquaCthulhu
        June 29, 2016
        This movie made a case of contrasting Bruce and Lex as two sides of the same coin. They're both extremely rich, intelligent humans who fight for what they believe to be right in ways they see fit. 'The magical thinking of orphaned boys'. Have you seen the Ultimate edition? Lex reveals he knows Batman's identity in the prison-scene at the end of the movie. It's very reminiscent of the Hush-reveal and I believe that's where the influence came from. I agree Lex isn't Batman's nemesis but it is no way disrespectful of Batman that another character regarded just as cerebral as Batman himself has figured it out.
        My take? Well, I'd say it connected with me on an emotional level and I don't consider it a plot-hole because there's a reason why Superman said 'Martha' instead of 'mom' and I could get over that 'You're letting him kill Martha' is the one line that could freeze Batman even in his heightened state of rage. It feels like it was lazy because it's fundamentally so simple but considering it goes back to why Batman became Batman, it made sense to me.
      12. AquaCthulhu
        June 29, 2016
        He knew about Bruce before he started making any plans. As I said it he found out on his hunt for the Metahuman Thesis which predates all the events of the movie. Senator Finch acknowledged it earlier in the movie when the Senators meet Lex in the Research Park.
        I'm saying the reveal shows that it wasn't just a simple thing and that Lex is actually really proud of himself for figuring out.
        Making Bruce angrier has always been part of his plan. In the U-edition there's a scene where Mercy looks at the Kryptonite that Batman fails to acquire due to Superman's intervention and she smiles at him. He does not smile back because his plan was to have Batman steal it and use it to kill Superman.
        https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
        Later when Batman breaks into the Research Park, Lex sees the Kryptonite-holding case is empty with a Batarang stuck into it, he actually smiles a little. He looks content with himself in this shot:
        https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
      13. Schuyler Finley
        June 29, 2016
        http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-...
        http://scifi.stackexchange....
        Most closely guarded secret, my ass!
      14. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        all of which either have personal ties to batman or can be considered plotholes...
      15. Schuyler Finley
        June 29, 2016
        And unless, you want to verify each person listed, I suggest you just accept that it's kind of easy for some people to find out his identity.
      16. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        er yeah that's my fault, didn't bother reading the article. never said no one figured it out. It's fine as long as we get a legitimate explanation.
        But let's stick to canon kid, anyone can make up a story where Sherlock Holmes is able to deduce Batman's identity. that article was a waste of my time
      17. Schuyler Finley
        June 29, 2016
        And I guess you just other characters who are canon or were retconned. I guess the first thing you saw was Sherlock Holmes, and immediately assumed that every other reveal was from an elseworld's story.
      18. qownsqud
        June 29, 2016
        okay well ask yourself this:
        Was there some sort of reveal for each of those people that knew Batman's identity?
        Was there a good explanation? Were the vast majority of them better reasons than "vast resources?"
        Because in BvS we were given none of these.
      19. Schuyler Finley
        June 29, 2016
        Some found out by pure luck. Others were told by other people who already knew. Heck, one of the villains is mention by Robin or Nightwing that she knows Bruce's identity, but we're never told how.
        http://goodcomics.comicbook...
      20. Zoom
        June 29, 2016
        but not showing how he learned it (similar to Supermans identity) is just messy and lazy. It bothered the hell out of me too. And if Lex knows who they all are, what is stopping him now from telling everybody? they didnt even address that. I was really hoping for more explanation on that front in the UE but alas nada.
      21. AquaCthulhu
        June 29, 2016
        "But who would believe me ... Uh, I'm insane." - Lex.
        Besides they could address this in JL since Lex will be back.
      22. Schuyler Finley
        June 29, 2016
        If Lex had suddenly found out about Bruce's identity, then you could consider it a plot-hole. However, the movie implies that he knew about it for a long time. And like MaybeICanHelpYouWithThat had said, Lex researched and was able to deduce who the Batman is.
      23. Schuyler Finley
        June 29, 2016
        By your definition, unanswered questions in general are plot-holes. Plot-holes are basically implausibilities, something that the movie cannot absolutely explain with a simple handwave or retcon. Bruce Wayne able to sneak into a locked-down city in TDKR? That's a plot-hole. Lex Luthor able to deduce Batman's identity before the movie by using his intellect, vast resources, and nearly unlimited patience? That's not a plot-hole.
      24. Phil
        July 2, 2016
        He figured it out in forever evil
2. Kerk Lastnameless
  June 29, 2016
  That's easily explainable. You see, most people here loved the original to death. It's just that lately, haters like me have been more vocal. But now it's the fans' time again. But even now you can hear the detractors' voices rise.
3. Orion
  June 29, 2016
  I find it disgusting. DC Fanboys disgust me. I thought I was a fanboy but these people are deluded. They just want someone to blame for their disappointment. I loved the movie and I'm sure I'll love the ultimate cut more but WB isn't responsible for what was unaccomplished in the theatrical cut.
IamTheOneWhoKnocks
June 28, 2016
Everyone can agree that BvS ultimate cut>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Civil War. Not even in the same league, thank you Snyder for this. Now on to JL1. I'm glad we have Wonder Woman and Suicide Squad to keep us busy until JL1.
1. Canucks Fan
  June 28, 2016
  You have a sad pathetic obsession with these movies get some help immediately like right now i really hope you don't reproduce
  1. derp da derp
    June 28, 2016
    Because when I think of Canadians and French Canadians I think "inbred hicks"...
    1. Zoom
      June 29, 2016
      lol racist much?
  2. Canucks Fan
    June 28, 2016
    I suppose you wanna get a reaction out of me?
    You won't but you can try i'm sure you will just like you will continue to try to troll this website with your pathetic obsession
    I imagine you're some 12 year old kid Mr.Internet Tough Guy based on your posts
2. Zoom
  June 29, 2016
  lol in your fanboy dreams.
  In any case most certainly not "everyone" agrees with your statement. Hell if you would go on social media and forums most would actually disagree with you. Civil War is still the superior movie and one of the best superherofilms period. Even DC fan Kevin Smith said so.
  1. alec
    June 29, 2016
    It is not one of the best superhero movies at all, it is the most hyped and prepared over the years (since 2008) to achieve an "epic" battle between all the characters they could put in a movie with no other reason than just attract people to see the movie. Civil War would be like a Fantastic Four (2015) if it was the second movie of the MCU, without the other movies before it it's nothing
  2. Jaime spenser
    June 29, 2016
    BVS was way overhyped which led to this fiasco as well.
GaboPSN
June 28, 2016
"...felt it was too long"
What happened to those days when a movie could be like 4h long and no one gave a sh*t? If it's good, then people will be watching it 'till the credits roll at the end (or have people become pussier nowadays).
1. Kris Knight
  June 28, 2016
  It's called the post-internet social media world of kids with ADD.
2. neodymium
  June 28, 2016
  Makes me wish this movie had been 4 hours and we could go back to the old days when stage plays had a 15-30 minute Intermission, a recess, before going back in to finish the story
3. AquaCthulhu
  June 29, 2016
  "No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough." - Roger Ebert.
  He was one delightful reviewer who truly loved film unlike the man-child bloggers these days.
  1. Kris Knight
    June 29, 2016
    You nailed it. I loved reading Ebert's reviews. There were lots of instances I didn't agree with his overall rating. But almost every time, through the way he expressed his reviews, I understood his point of view, and respected his opinion. It's a rare occurrence nowadays. Like you said, the internet is littered with self-proclaimed experts who can't tell Shakespeare from Seth Rogen.
    When Iron Man 3 gets a higher RT score than Hateful Eight, you know something significant is wrong with the industry.
    1. AquaCthulhu
      June 29, 2016
      Yes, Roger always made it clear why he didn't like something or why he liked something else. His reviews were insightful while the ones today call a movie dark because the scenes aren't set in a brightly lit room!
      Yes, it shows how bad a time it is for artistic integrity.
4. Kris Knight
  June 29, 2016
  Disney is indeed the scourge of Hollywood. The most corporate and formulaic of all movie studios. Every single product of theirs is manufactured diligently and exhaustively by executives and marketers to appeal to the most vast amount of kids and teenagers as possible, and to shape their tastes and expectations for future releases. So that creates a generation of masses who brainlessly get used to and manipulated to like the same generic formula in their movies, and totally spaz out when something different is presented. The Simpsons were right, Disney is evil.
residentgrigo
June 28, 2016
Dear mods. Who the hell are the unblockable trolls who hijacked the site? Is this a feature?
1. Canucks Fan
  June 28, 2016
  Yeah wondering that myself sent an email to Chris
2. Kris Knight
  June 28, 2016
  People gotta stop engaging with them. The only reason they do it is because they want a reaction. Just ignore, they'll die off or get blocked eventually. And if they're back, rince, lather, repeat.
3. Kerk Lastnameless
  June 28, 2016
  Yes, unlock a troll -- get a free premium membership for a month!
Kris Knight
June 28, 2016
Word to the wise, don't feed the trolls people.
Phil
June 28, 2016
I haven't seen the movie yet. But I will be buying the Ultimate Cut when it comes out on Blu-ray and I don't give a rat's ass about the haters.
Fares Mhaya
June 28, 2016
Can anyone here tell me about the nude scenes in the Ultimate Edition? What do they include? How long do they last? Thinking about watching it with my younger brother. Violence isn't a problem but nudity just makes things awkward.
1. neodymium
  June 28, 2016
  The scene with Clark and Lois in the bathtub does get a little steamier (clark takes off his shirt when he gets in)
  You also see Batass in the shower.
  Thats as nude as things get
  1. Jaime spenser
    June 29, 2016
    Probably skip that then, hated the bathroom moment. When I get the DVD.
    1. Fares Mhaya
      June 29, 2016
      I'll probably fast forward a bit or tell him about it before watching it.
  2. Fares Mhaya
    June 29, 2016
    Thanks.
Abkinxoc
June 28, 2016
Then they try to say that wb gives its directors more freedom.
residentgrigo
June 28, 2016
Yeah, pretty much. I wonder if Gym Jones has psychiatrists on staff?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media...
Zoom
June 29, 2016
Just watched the Ultimate Cut and its really not that different from the normal version. Not a single new Wonder Woman or Batman vs Superman scene. Jena Malone has barely 2 minutes screentime (the hype about her role seems so ridiculous now), no new action scenes either (just a few more graphic quick shots and added blood spurts). The bulk of the new footage centers around Lex ´manipulations and machinations but honestly they really just make the movie feel more stretched out. Almost none of the new scenes are very memorable or important for the story. However one thing I loved was that they added the Steppenwolf scene back in (Further proving that it was always just a deleted scene and never an intended post credits teaser). Some dialogue is extended but nothing major (nice mention of Arkham though).
All in all its really pretty much the same movie. It´s ridiculous how so many people hyped this as a "very different movie" and a totally different experience because it´s not. Its pretty much just the movie with the deleted scenes added back in. And it shows. The flow and pace of the movie is really off, especially the first half has been slowed down even more and really drags on for way too long. The theatrical cut feels a lot tighter (and even that version had serious pacing problems especially in the first half but the UE makes that even worse). And except for the Steppenwolf scene and some of the scenes that explain some things a bit more the new footage is pretty irrelevant and you can see why it was cut out in the first place.
Longer is not always better and in the cinema most moviegoers would have been pretty bored with the first half especially. So cutting it down to 150 minutes was definitely a smart choice. Though to be honest they should have cut out another 15 minutes or so from the first half to make it tighter and more driven (and kept some of the things from the UE instead). It was not a very well edited movie and while the UE does not feel as choppy, instead it feels a great deal longer and more dragging.
But yeah the UE is not a new movie, its not even a much better movie because the new footage is just not relevant enough. More action and WW would have done wonders (no pun intended). However the Steppenwolf scene is great and the Africa sequence is infinitely better and finally makes actual sense. But it does not justify the hype for the UE. Because all of the best stuff was already in the theatrical version.
sadly there is also no "Batman steals the kryptonite" scene (that a lot of fans had been hoping for) and even though Snyder said in interviews that there would be a changed ending , its the same ending (just a bit more dialogue, nothing relevant).
so yeah I really don´t get how this version would change anyones opinion about the movie. If you loved it you still love it, if you hated it you pretty much will still hate it. and even if you liked it you actually might prefer the theatrical version as the UE has greater lengths and drags more in the first half.
1. AquaCthulhu
  June 29, 2016
  Some of the supposedly 'same' scenes that play out the same still are different.
  An example: When Bruce tells Diana they have to stand together she doesn't immediately say '100 years ago I walked away from mankind', unlike in the Theatrical-edition where she replies immediately. In the U-edition the scene is allowed to breathe, Diana even sighs before she replies. They digitally spaced the dialogue closer so they could save time. And they did this in many more scenes. This resulted in a cut that made the audience feel like a lot was happening too soon and ultimately felt a bit synthetic - Hence the better pacing. Despite the never-before-seen footage, this is how the UE is better. This is why some who hated it before (not you) like it much better now.
2. Caped Baldy
  June 29, 2016
  "Not a single new Wonder Woman or Batman vs Superman scene"
  U sure u watched the UC??Lol
  Batman on the monitor viewed by lex
  New scene at the beginning of Supes and Batman fight plus additional one during the fight itself.
  Superman after the senate hearing,Superman taking out the missile in the Africa scene.
  Wonder Woman at the Exhibit.
  Yeah,no new scenes at all
3. Smart Ass
  June 29, 2016
  Scenes are smoothened out, some rearranged. At the least it improves upon the Theatrical cut
  http://screenrant.com/batma...
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June 29, 2016
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keefebuxtonlehman
June 29, 2016
Sounds like a step up but don't see how it could have possibly made this a good movie. Also should have had the foresight in knowing he was telling a story that would never fly unless allow the time limit that would never have been granted.
Jordan Oliver
June 29, 2016
What many people don't realize is that directors' cuts are sort of a sham. The director gets a go at another draft after the fact and then gets to claim, "oh this was my vision all along." When in fact it is really an additional subsequent draft, but now with the benefit of more time and after getting an infinite number notes from an infinite number of viewers.
We have absolutely no way of knowing if this version was the version he had in mind before the release or if it benefitted from additional months of tinkering and much more feedback.
All we know is that he and the studio tasked themselves with releasing a good movie in March, and according to many viewers they failed at that task. It is dumb to blame one or the other, studio or director, for any failings. It's a team sport: this blockbuster industry. To all goes the glory, or none.
Caped Baldy
June 29, 2016
Based Snyder forgives all you naysayers.
1. alec
  June 29, 2016
  What does "Based Snyder" mean please ?
  1. Caped Baldy
    June 29, 2016
    according to Urban Dictionary, "based or Based God" means "A Based God is an individual that possesses maximum swagger, a mansion,
    sports cars, wonton soup and the inherent ability to f**k your b*tch.
    Moreover, you will actually beg him to f*k your b*tch simply because he
    is Based God. All these conditions must be met for an individual to be a
    Based God, though it is possible to have some and not all of these."
    LMAO!!!!
RockyJohan
June 29, 2016
I really liked the original cut as well but this one is even better!
Folly
June 29, 2016
I think the real problem is that Zack Snyder has a very detailed vision of how a movie has to be especially when the script already stand and that's why he has no idea how to pace it differently when some of those things fall away and why editors don't get how they are supposed to cut that darn movie.
alec
June 29, 2016
I hope JL doesn't get cut now. I mean it's a big movie with a lot of characters, I don't care if it's 3 hours on theater
Joe K.
June 29, 2016
Awesome version of the movie, glad to see a lot of people enjoying it more this time around. Even happier that he'll get to coast into SDCC with this win and his JL set visit win and get the respect he deserves from the crowd
1. Mario
  June 29, 2016
  Maybe it was his plan all along, clever Zack...
  1. Joe K.
    June 29, 2016
    Haha maybe it was. He never threw WB under the bus and took it all on the chin for 3 months. Tough son of a gun
senor twats
June 29, 2016
poor Zack had to take it on the chin for WB, probably had to keep quiet in fear of losing his job. smh WB
1. Kris Knight
  June 29, 2016
  That has been my opinion also as to why he has stayed so quiet and loyal. He's a producer on almost all the DCEU movies. His wife also. He's contracted to direct Justice League 1 and 2, each a $200m+ project. It serves him no purpose to say anything. He'll only make matters worst.
  The executives at WB saw what happens when you mess with an artist's work, for the sake of misguided corporate expectations. That's why the higher-ups reshuffled the brain trust. Geoff Johns and Jon Berg will serve as stop gaps. Meaning, a suit from the corporate office cannot do the same damage to future movies. Final decisions come from those two. And Zack being very close the Johns, this can only serve him for the better in movies to come.
  Let's not forget that Wonder Woman has just began post-production under this new management team. I'm expecting Johns and company will allow the film makers much more freedom in the editing room than what Zack had to endure during BvS.
  1. senor twats
    June 29, 2016
    man i hope they stay out of things, poor guy took all the heat for the TC.
    i agree with everything you said and i cant wait for JLA.
krampe1995
June 29, 2016
Sorry ZACK!
I feel sorry for you!=(
Cary David Hoffson
June 29, 2016
With this a fan has something to fight with now
Nashe
June 29, 2016
Theatrical cut was good enough. This interview is being taken out of context as usual. If your complaint about the TC was "too dark, Batman kills, no jokes, too long, tries to hard to set up JL,Doomsday spoiler, why Wonder Woman,Marvel rocks" then the UE is simply an additional half hour of the same things. If your complaints were "pacing,editing,Superman screen time" then maybe it looks wholesome. But overall I don't see how this significantly changes anything. But if you hated the first release and now you like the extended version then maybe you don't really pay attention in movies. Especially for true DC fans. Zack Snyder and co pretty much gave away character development for two years prior to release.
The moment they said they were taking heavy elemental inspiration from TDKR storyline I knew this was going to be a very angry and brutal Batman. I knew the movie was going to be dark. I knew someone was going to die. The Dark Knight Returns movie is even more cryptic. It just starts out with a retired Batman. No one complained about why Batman had gone out of the game. We just understood the story from the get go. So if they say repeatedly "this Batman is an angry version who has lost his way and is battle weary" I don't need step by step explanations. I take it from there. I don't expect to see a "regular" Batman. Just how dumb do people pretend to be? I expect to see a battle weary, brutal and misguided Batman. I expect Superman to have a big problem with that kind of "justice". Even without Luthor's additional icing on the cake manipulation.
I don't need further explanation as to why there is an obvious conflict between the two characters. Superman's versus motivation is clear cut and obvious. Batman was acting like a villain in the name of justice. Batman's anti Superman behavior is what is more nuanced. Pay attention to the first Batman scene. As soon as he gets back to the cave, Alfred asks , "New rules?". Bruce says "we are criminals" and Alfred's reply gives you everything you need to know about how far gone Batman is and how he is expressing his frustration of "pointless" crime fighting on Superman. That's how it starts. If one actually pays attention in the midst of munching down popcorn, it's so easy to appreciate the complexity of the story. If the idea is to compare with other movies or Disney style presentation, primarily tailored for children to comprehend then, I guess you won't get it. It's not about being daft versus being smart. It's about being able to distinguish presentation styles and most importantly acknowledging that some movies require you to pay attention.
Of course if you didn't like the movie due to the initial reasons I stated, your position is more respectable and justified
1. Schuyler Finley
  June 30, 2016
  Preach!

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Warner Bros. wouldn't let Zack Snyder release a 3 hour version of 'Batman v Superman'

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