Countdown-Teaser No.1 | Breakdown
We are OFFICIALLY in the countdown to the main trailer of Zack Snyder's Justice League - releasing Feb 14 - and the first countdown-teaser did not hold back.
If you happened to be on Twitter yesterday at 5:14 pm UK time or any time after that, you would have seen the trends of #SnyderCut and #ZackSnydersJusticeLeague spread like wildfire - as it usually does. (With a lot of help from yours truly - I am a MASSIVE Zack Snyder fan)
As I've done with the first teaser trailer and the music break-down, I will be breaking down the countdown-teasers as well as the full trailer on Sunday, Feb 14 - that will be a LONG article!
Let's delve into the first Countdown-Teaser!
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We open on the main villain for Zack Snyder's Justice League - Steppenwolf (aka Spiky Fucker - from a Zack Vero post a few months back)
Let's just take a moment to appreciate how imposing, menacing and powerful Steppenwolf is. One of the biggest upgrades from josstice league to Zack Snyder's Justice League.
Steppenwolf uses his Electro-Axe to smash into the ground - causing an explosion that creates the Omega Symbol. More stills below!
The moment before impact.
The aftermath below.
There is some discussion about where and when this takes place. There are two schools of thought.
1) This happens before the History Lesson or at the very start of it.
Steppenwolf could have been on Earth before Uxas's arrival to try and conquer it. Steppenwolf (the Uncle of Darkseid) perhaps located Earth and made this Omega symbol as a sign to Uxas to come and invade.
2) This happens on Themyscira after Steppenwolf defeats the Amazons.
This is the thought that I believe - but I could be wrong. After retrieving one of the three Mother Boxes and fighting off the Amazons, Steppenwolf creates this symbol as the sign to Darkseid that Earth is conquerable again - given that he has retrieved a Mother Box already and that there are 'no protectors here'.
In the next shots, we see a selection of action moments - here they are!
Here, we have the Batmobile in all its glory. Also, thanks to a sharp-eyed Twitter member I follow, they pointed out that you can see The Flash atop the Batmobile.
In the next frames, the Batmobile pulls a wheely (presumably because of the acceleration) which in turn flings The Flash off of the Batmobile.
Reasons for this? I had a back-and-forth with a Twitter follower and we pointed out that perhaps Bruce accelerated to knock Flash off due to the incoming Parademon laser (see the red laser beam in the centre?) or perhaps it was because Bruce runs over a Parademon. Guess we'll find out in the full movie!
It is also important to note the colour of the sky. In 'josstice league' the final act was completely re-shot and re-edited - the overly saturated and pure orange/red sky was one of those edits. It is wonderful to see the real colour palette here.
The next shot we have comes from the History Lesson sequence - the major battle between the alliances of Earth and Uxas, during his first attempted invasion and conquering of Earth.
Artemis shoots down an attempted fleeing Apokoliptain ship. The History Lesson is going to be extensively longer than what we, unfortunately, saw in 'josstice league' and will be a major highlight of the movie.
Our next snippet is a shot of Diana fighting Steppenwolf.
This takes place during the Gotham Harbour/underground tunnel sequence. It is wonderful to see Wonder Woman being the fierce and formidable warrior that she is taking on Steppenwolf.
This fight will be, yet another, major highlight. Given that Steppenwolf slaughtered a number of her Amazonian sisters on Themyscira, every time Wonder Woman/Diana see's Steppenwolf, it will be a deeply personal and raw conflict between them. Diana v Steppenwolf - what's not to love.
After that, we finish with a shot that has sent tidal waves through the social media landscape.
Our first full look at Black Suited Superman in action. Are you ready? I don't think you are. I certainly wasn't!
So.....yeah. That happened.
Black Suited Superman. There is a fair bit to unpack here.
Firstly, note what is behind Superman - that is very likely a Boom Tube. From Zacks Vero posts and storyboard art, this is the time that Darkseid is first seen by the League. It is believed that Darkseid watches the League defeat Steppenwolf - much to his disapproval.
Secondly, some people have noted that this could be Superman after he has succumbed to the Anti-Life Equation. Where he sides with Darkseid and could be fighting a member of the Justice League. Open to interpretation.
Thirdly, the level of wrath and anger in Superman is evidently clear.
The final frame shows Superman using his Heat Vision on whoever he is fighting. I believe it is most likely to be Steppenwolf...but I could be wrong. We will see!
The teaser ends with the official Title Card for Zack Snyder's Justice League.
A thing of beauty.
Those are the all the main stills and frames to delve into.
Some side-notes to wrap things up!
1) It is believed that the score featured in this trailer is some of the official music composed by Thomas Holkenborg, also known by his stage name Junkie XL. And it's incredible.
2) I loved Ray Porter's (The actor and the voice to this live-action Darkseid) Tweet response to someone asking what he has to say for himself after Steppenwolf smashes the Earth creating the Omega Symbol:
Steppenwolf does share some good artistic ability with Uxas. Someone put their respective weapon swings side-by-side and there are some similarities:
One thing is for sure, Zack Snyder's Justice League is going to be utterly astounding. A 4-hour extravaganza of film making.
There will be another countdown teaser released today and another on Saturday with the full trailer releasing on Sunday, Feb 14. A lovely Valentines Day gift!
I hope you enjoyed this breakdown - I will do the same with the next two!
Zack Snyder's Justice League is streaming on HBO Max on March 18, 2021!
Thank you!
George Taylor
