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| Article by Gregg Katzman; photo by Kevin Mazur |
Director Zack Snyder
gets a lot of hate online – I think
that’s putting it pretty lightly, too. His recent work with DC’s iconic and beloved
characters – Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,
(some of) Justice League – was
divisive among fans and received mostly negative reviews from critics. Look,
it’s totally cool if you’re not a fan of those projects – I don’t agree with
you, but I do get it. There are still a ton of debates going on in the fan
community and among critics about Snyder’s take on the Man of Steel and the
Dark Knight, but sometimes the especially harsh comments appear to be directed
at Zack Snyder himself instead of his work. Constructive criticism about his movies
is one thing, but why make it personal and cruel, especially when Snyder
appears to be a legitimately kind and respectable guy? When did we start caring
about fictional characters and films more than actual people? I’m baffled by
the personal hate Snyder receives and I think it’s time for the conversation
about him to change.
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| Photo by Mike Coppola |
I understand why
some people don’t like his version of Batman, Superman, or Lex Luthor. This isn’t
about censoring criticism – it’s about separating the creator from their work. Based
on my research, Snyder seems like a genuinely good guy, and the actors that have worked with him appear to have nothing but praise for the guy. Lois Lane
herself, Amy Adams, said Snyder is “the nicest person ever” and a “respectful
director.” Ray Fisher (Cyborg) is known for rocking his “I <3 ZS” shirt and speaking passionately about the
director. Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) stated she is “forever grateful” to
Snyder. Ezra Miller (the Flash) said that Snyder has “really taken care
of us all” and added that the director was “so incredibly attentive to all of
us and our diva needs and our questions.” He even joked that when he wanted to “overthink
the physics” of the Scarlet Speedster, Snyder was “ready to engage with me on
that level.” Love or loathe Snyder’s projects, it’s pretty obvious that he’s respectful
and kind on set. Praise from your peers in the entertainment industry isn’t uncommon,
but it’s clear the comments are sincere, and unlike many other people, there
aren’t any negative rumors floating around about Snyder’s personality or his
actions.
Snyder’s also kind
to his fans. He’s regularly posting on Vero, engaging with his passionate fans
and answering their questions about his work – sometimes he even says where he’s
getting coffee so fans have the opportunity to meet him. While negative
comments obviously do pop up, I’ve never seen him focus on those or talk down
to those people – he seems to focus on the people who are supportive or have
legitimate questions about his work.
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| Photo by Clay Enos |
Snyder supported the
National Guard during Man of Steel.
He supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month during Batman v Superman. After the tragic loss of his daughter, he supported the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention. And recently, he supported the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society. Seems like a pretty terrible dude, right? Also, I don’t
know Snyder personally, but based on all the interviews and social posts that I’ve
reviewed, he appears to be a sincerely loving husband and father.
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| Photo by Jerod Harris |
Look, there’s an
obvious emotional disconnect when we passionately talk online about the things
we don’t like. It’s easy to get caught up in those feelings and say things to
really emphasize the point, often completely forgetting that they’re about
actual humans and not just a thing we don’t like. But when talking about Zack
Snyder, I don’t think he deserves personal attacks at all. I hope people will keep
that in mind when critiquing his work and the work of other creators. Say what
you will about Zack Snyder’s movies, but Zack Snyder himself seems like a
pretty great guy. Besides, if you truly love Superman, do you honestly think the
Man of Steel would approve of you saying harsh things about someone just
because you don’t like their movies?
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This definitely needed to be said. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the article, Erik!
Delete"he seems to focus on the people who are supportive or have legitimate questions about his work."
ReplyDeleteTranslation- He focuses on the people praising him and doesn't feel like engaging anyone in an objective debate about the possible faults in his movie because he can't defend his movie.
The set visit for Justice League was filled with some of BvS' harshest critics. Unlike social media, he chatted with them in person :)
Deletehttp://www.vulture.com/2016/06/zack-snyder-set-justice-league.html
But really, that's your takeaway from this article ? You sincerely believe he "can't defend his movie?" because he doesn't spend time answering negative comments on social, which are often not constructive criticism and instead flat-out rude? That seems like quite a leap to me, especially considering how obvious it is that he's passionate about MoS and BvS. To each their own, I guess. Thanks for reading the article :)
One is not objective if they move from attacking the finer points of the movie to attacking the person who made it.
DeleteThat's hardly answering any questions and just saying that "we promise next time we'll give you what you wanted". It was a press tour to do damage control to get people on board for Justice League. As far as I'm concerned that's really all he did, not defend or admit fault.
DeleteI was actually writing up this huge paragraph about a quote that was in that article that annoyed me to no end. It's when his wife essentially turned it on the people and sorta blamed them for not liking the movie. "People don't like to see their heroes deconstructed" is the same as saying "it's for the fans".
I don't have much to add regarding the article. People are dicks on the internet, c'est la vie. Should he get shit on for his creative views and how he handled this franchise? Absolutely. Should he get death threats? No.
Lukehero Here: Good piece. Well written. I don’t agree with this take or takes like it. Sure people shouldn’t be online bullies, Agreed. The hate for Synder doesn’t originate for him as a person. It comes from his movies. Every artist has people who then turn that into hate for them personally. It’s totally not OK. But, it’s not like Synder is going through something different IMO that other celebs have not experienced.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luke! This piece is about such a seemingly nice person receiving truly despicable comments because people don't like his movies. I don't mind criticism of his work or his storytelling - it's subjective, after all. I do think it's truly baffling that many people - including some critics - have said unprofessional and rude things about him instead of focusing on why they don't like his work. It starts with people not liking his work, but then for some it goes beyond that and becomes personal, and based on what I know, I don't think he warrants that. I was reminded of this the other day when he was trending (it's what motivated me to write this), and that reminded me of the posts that popped up when it was announced why he left Justice League.
DeleteThe hate comes from his movies, sure, but the argument Gregg is making is that this hate is being wrongly directed at Snyder as a man.
DeleteYes, that's a much better and way more concise way of putting it :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. It’s one thing to not like his work or maybe it isn’t your “cup of tea” or whatev’s, but some comments you’d think sh!t is personal. I never understood people that go there, it’s like is it THAT serious? I’m like if his work legit brings you there, y’know you don’t HAVE to watch it right? Lol. Irrational people are irrational I guess
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the article, Grayfox!
DeleteWonderfully written article Gregg, and a topic that’s largely debated in recent years due to the popularity and cultural weight of Zach Snyder’s films. The man doesn’t deserve to be directly held accountable for the outcome of the DCU of late and you’ve touched upon this brilliantly and with class.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up!
Thank you so much, Uros!
DeleteAlways been a fan of DC characters but because of ZS, I'm more of a fan than ever. His vision is what I've always wanted to see with these characters. Great article!
ReplyDeleteHey, Ken. Really glad these movies turned you into a fan of DC characters. There are a ton of comics, shows, and movies - both animated and live-action - that are waiting for you :)
DeletePeople are cancerous asshole online who feel attack when you make crap of something they love. Is unfortunate, but just something that I just accept as a norm when it comes to the internet and their reaction. Constructive criticism is harder than just typing your frustration toward a person, a face. Which can be harmful, for example the kid actor for Anakin in phantom menance, who basically got death threat for simply being a kid doing his job from a director past his prime. I mean saying Snyde is someone who try to confuse dark with being edgy and overly violent, okay. Saying he should die, is no longer a criticism of his work, is a death threat for someone trying to entertain people, and worst crime is delivering a bad movie. But again just something that you learn to accept from the internet. Also Watchmen was awesome, IDC what anybody else says.
ReplyDeleteWell said sir,though I don't even know why they hate his movie,they should get over the fact that Batman is nothing like what christian bale portrayed. The scenic beauty in his movies,watchme W,300,MoS,BVS ,they are too good. Throwing out personalized comments just because of some disagreement is what cowards do. Well done sir ,well done
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sadly, the internet makes it really easy to throw hate and personal attacks due to no fear of consequences.
ReplyDeleteSay what you will about his movies, but I've heard nothing but good things about him as a person. And considering what's going on in Hollywood nowadays with scandals and villainy. We need good people now more than ever.
It seems like some people in the comments took nothing away from this article...
ReplyDeleteThis divide within the fandom between pro-Snyder and anti-Snyder camps isn't going away in my lifetime, I don't think.
ReplyDeleteI could criticize the Donner/Reeves films as corny and naive about what "the best within us" means. As reflecting what Snyder imo accurately identifies as a (comics Gold no Silver Age) "apple pie and Chevrolet American Dream" sytlyzed world. I don't. I am respectful. It means a lot to other people, and who am I to tell them what should or should not appeal to them personally. But I virtually never see that same respect shown in kind by the haters of Snyder's vision for the DCEU. They vitriolically attack, denigrate, disparage, etc. Their hateful behavior is ironically the opposite of what Superman supposedly stands for, and the values they supposedly cherish!
Thank you Elijah Wood, hope more celebs/personalities stand up to him
ReplyDelete