Regarding the Behind the Scenes issues, I'll just say there are very few films that see changes of direction that ultimately come together well. On the whole, I think the Snyder Cut is comparatively better (but far from flawless). From here on, I will do my best to judge the 2017 theatrical version of Justice League on its own merits (or lack thereof).
Justice League is, to say the least, a mixed bag. All things considered, I personally hated Man of Steel. I found Batman v Superman to be only *slightly* improved. And Justice League, honestly, was a little better than Batman v Superman, so at least it the franchise is moving in the right direction.
There are some things that enjoyable in the film; Ben Affleck is actually really good as Bruce Wayne/Batman and gets what is definitely the best line of the theatrical version. There IS an effort at lightening the franchise a little some knowing humor. Jason Mamoa is really charismatic as Aquaman in both versions, but seems to be having the most fun among the cast with the obviously Whedon-helmed scenes. Whedon also, bad lip CGI aside, actually succeeds at making Henry Cavill's Superman actually act like and have the proper personality of Superman. Also, from a technical level, the film is put together as well as circumstances will allow. There are definitely some editing issues (see below), but the story is told in an economical manner. The opening credit montage actually sets up the entire film pretty well. Also the music of the film is pretty good; Danny Elfman's score is something of a "greatest hits" package, using cues from his own Batman score, John William's Superman march, Hans Zimmer and Junkie-XL's Wonder Woman theme, and I'm fairly certain that the "Hero's Theme" is borrowed from Jerry Goldsmith's Shadow score. However, every musical cue fits its respective scene perfectly, and the pop songs included during the opening and closing credits also fit the film well.
Things that drag it down though are that, while there are Whedon-helmed scenes that actually buoy the film up, others, unfortunately drag it down. There are very obviously shot-by-Whedon scenes that are inserted into other scenes to "bring humor" that fall a little short. And while, on the whole, I think that Whedon did a good job of bringing human stakes to the action, there is one scene, where tension has been building through the film and it cuts to a gag that will make the audience groan and groan hard. And the thing that I truly hate about the film is Ezra Miller's "adorkable" schtick as the Flash. With the exception of one scene, where honestly Batman comes off as the better hero, it just becomes grating.
On the whole, the movie is... okay, It's entertaining enough for a Friday night in front of the TV. It won't go down in history as a great superhero film, but it is as good, if not a little better, as the circumstances around its production would allow it to be.
Justice League is, to say the least, a mixed bag. All things considered, I personally hated Man of Steel. I found Batman v Superman to be only *slightly* improved. And Justice League, honestly, was a little better than Batman v Superman, so at least it the franchise is moving in the right direction.
There are some things that enjoyable in the film; Ben Affleck is actually really good as Bruce Wayne/Batman and gets what is definitely the best line of the theatrical version. There IS an effort at lightening the franchise a little some knowing humor. Jason Mamoa is really charismatic as Aquaman in both versions, but seems to be having the most fun among the cast with the obviously Whedon-helmed scenes. Whedon also, bad lip CGI aside, actually succeeds at making Henry Cavill's Superman actually act like and have the proper personality of Superman. Also, from a technical level, the film is put together as well as circumstances will allow. There are definitely some editing issues (see below), but the story is told in an economical manner. The opening credit montage actually sets up the entire film pretty well. Also the music of the film is pretty good; Danny Elfman's score is something of a "greatest hits" package, using cues from his own Batman score, John William's Superman march, Hans Zimmer and Junkie-XL's Wonder Woman theme, and I'm fairly certain that the "Hero's Theme" is borrowed from Jerry Goldsmith's Shadow score. However, every musical cue fits its respective scene perfectly, and the pop songs included during the opening and closing credits also fit the film well.
Things that drag it down though are that, while there are Whedon-helmed scenes that actually buoy the film up, others, unfortunately drag it down. There are very obviously shot-by-Whedon scenes that are inserted into other scenes to "bring humor" that fall a little short. And while, on the whole, I think that Whedon did a good job of bringing human stakes to the action, there is one scene, where tension has been building through the film and it cuts to a gag that will make the audience groan and groan hard. And the thing that I truly hate about the film is Ezra Miller's "adorkable" schtick as the Flash. With the exception of one scene, where honestly Batman comes off as the better hero, it just becomes grating.
On the whole, the movie is... okay, It's entertaining enough for a Friday night in front of the TV. It won't go down in history as a great superhero film, but it is as good, if not a little better, as the circumstances around its production would allow it to be.