'Snyder has Found His Happy Place': The evolution of Zack Snyder's filmography

"This is not exactly a new mature phase for Snyder, more a new immature phase."_ Those were the words of film critic Steve Rose on Zack Snyder's fresh venture, "Army of the Dead." Shedding his signature moody and gloomy aesthetics, the ace director seems to be revelling in the realm of fun, and it's a roller coaster ride that has both fans and critics buckled in tight (as reported by The Guardian).

Breaking the Snyder Mold

"Snyder has found his happy place." This comment comes in the light of Zack Snyder's long-drawn battle with Warner Bros over his version of "Justice League." The filmmaker parted ways with the studio in 2017, leaving a dark, shadowy blueprint of the DC Universe that was received with mixed reviews. 

His vision was replaced with Joss Whedon's direction, much to the chagrin of many fans, who later campaigned aggressively with #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, eventually leading to the four-hour-long, Snyder-intended version's release on HBO Max in March 2021.

A New Dawn for the Director

His recent release, "Army of the Dead," a heist movie set in a zombie-infested Las Vegas, is a clear departure from his usual solemn tone. This film not only underscores Snyder's unique visual flair, but it also sees him relishing in the excess and absurdity of the plot, marking a return to the spirit of his debut film "Dawn of the Dead."

His recent release, "Army of the Dead," a heist movie set in a zombie-infested Las Vegas, is a clear departure from his usual solemn tone. This film not only underscores Snyder's unique visual flair, but it also sees him relishing in the excess and absurdity of the plot, marking a return to the spirit of his debut film "Dawn of the Dead." 

"Freed of the responsibility of propping up the DC franchise (and failing), Snyder seems to actually be having fun." Indeed, Snyder's new phase indicates a move away from the heavy, humorless superhero narratives he is typically associated with and towards a genre that allows him to explore and enjoy the storytelling process anew.

Throughout his tumultuous journey, Zack Snyder has remained a potent force in the world of filmmaking. From spearheading DC's gritty take on superhero narratives to now embracing the lighthearted absurdity of zombie flicks, Snyder proves he's far from predictable. Whether or not he continues down this path, one thing's for certain: audiences will be eagerly waiting to see what's next.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)