Although Snyder received sole director's credit, theatrical abomination was basically Joss Whedon's film, hence adopted nickname of 'Josstice' League.
Here's what he intended before leaving production to deal with daughter's tragic suicide.
Ben Affleck - Batman/Bruce Wayne
Henry Cavill - Superman/Clark Kent
Amy Adams - Lois Lane
Gal Gadot - Wonder Woman/Diana Prince
Ray Fisher - Cyborg/Victor Stone
Jason Momoa - Aquaman/Arthur Curry
Ezra Miller - The Flash/Barry Allen
Ciarán Hinds - Steppenwolf
Summary
Characterisation, material and worldbuilding are significantly different, but premise of Steppenwolf gathering Mother Boxes to transform Earth into Apokolips remains.
Part 1
Don't Count on It, Batman
Bruce's financial bribe fails to recruit Arthur. In Themyscira, Steppenwolf (sporting a sleek new design) and Parademon army secure the first Mother Box.
Part 2
The Age of Heroes
Villain sends minions to find remaining boxes.
In flashback, Darkseid finally makes his live-action debut, and during Lord of the Rings-esque battle with Atlanteans, Amazons and Olympians, dude is forced to retreat.
Part 3
Beloved Mother, Beloved Son
Barry joins Bruce's team and Victor buries a box inside mother's grave.
Steppenwolf overpowers Arthur in Atlantis and grabs second piece of jigsaw.
Part 4
"Change Machine"
The Bat, Flash, Cyborg and Wonder Woman interrupt baddie's interrogation game and fight ensues.
Steppenwolf escapes, Art joins up and Vic produces final box (discovered by the Nazis during WWII).
Team agrees to try and resurrect Superman.
Part 5
All the King's Men
Exhumed body is taken aboard Kryptonian craft and Flash awakens box with huge electrical surge.
FYI. We're about 2.5 hours deep.
Devoid of memory, Supes turns hostile.
Oh, 'moustache' looks natural.
Hoorah!
Of her own volition, Lois turns up (saving Bruce's life), and like that... they're gone.
Amidst the mayhem, our man swipes final box.
"And so begins the end."
Unless unity is prevented, Earth dies.
Part 6
"Something Darker"
Vic fusing with boxes and Bruce using Batwing to penetrate shield dome on Stryker's Island sounds like a plan.
Di, Vic and Art are no match for Steppenwolf and just before Vic is axed, Supes appears and together, team kick ass.
Darkseid is seen beyond portal and all seems lost. However, Flash breaks the speed of sound and rewinds time, allowing Vic to destroy boxes.
Once Arthur's trident tastes blood, Di decapitates Steppenwolf and Darkseid squishes head like an insect. He orders DeSaad to ready armada in preparation to seize his 'great prize', ie. the Anti-Life Equation.
Epilogue
A Father Twice Over
Lex has escaped from Arkham Asylum and reveals Batman's identity to Slade Wilson.
Awaking from post-apocalyptic nightmare, Bruce is visited by Martian Manhunter who guarantees to help should Darkseid cause mischief.
Gargantuan slog
The masterpiece reviews would have you believe?
No. But a definite improvement.
At nearly 4 hours, running time is obscene, but at least back stories are vastly improved.
However, shit REALLY drags.
Seeking redemption, Steppenwolf occasionally cuts a pathetic figure and unlike before, actually has a personality.
Despite its fair share of ropey CG and director's obsession with slo-mo, action sequences are quite impressive.
Chris Terrio's screenplay resists cheesy humour, but uninvolving.
Multiple sequels are set up, but will never happen.
References
Yeah, I noted a few things.
Jurassic Park
Whisky inside Alfred's tumbler ripples on Superman's approach.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Skeleton occupying car at the beginning of Bruce's dream is very similar to one in August 29th opening.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Darkseid sits on pseudo throne resting chin on clenched fist.
Rambo
In Part 3, Diana chews the fat with Vic, who comments 'Fuck the world.'
This is EXACTLY what grumpy bastard says to Burnett.
Coincidence?
Maybe.
