I Liked Rebel Moon.

I liked REBEL MOON Part One.

I like a lot of Zack Snyder’s movies, so was happy to see this one.

As usual, social media has to social media, with the fans and haters already regurgitating the extremes of “he is our lord and saviour” all the way to “visually appealing but the movie is TRASH”.

Many of Snyder’s films have enjoyed “director’s cuts” where his preferred edit is released on physical media after the theatrical release. And Netflix are releasing “directors cuts” of both parts of Rebel Moon.

But this is the weird thing. They planned them in advance. The equivalent of the theatrical cuts of both parts will screen first, with the extended versions released after part two streams in April.

Snyder has confirmed that these longer cuts will be more “adult” will contain more character arcs and also deconstruct the tropes of ensemble action movies. (Multiple interviews can be found online and Snyder himself discusses many aspects in Film Junkee’s “Vodka Stream”).

Many detractors complain about the “Snyder Cut” of Justice League, and how it, in their eyes, was an unnecessary vanity project by a director they don’t like. This feeling totally ignores the very specific circumstances which led to the 2017 release of Justice League and the very particular circumstances which led to the 4 hour Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021.

So now the joke is that his films get an “unnecessary” longer cut.

And Netflix have leaned into that. In a weird way.

REBEL MOON is a concept Snyder has been working on for decades and while yes, he did take the concept to Lucasfilm at one point (it didn’t fit in with their plans) he has found a home for it on Netflix. The streamer is confident in this new IP with novelisations released and games planned.

Like Star Wars, Rebel Moon takes its influences from what had gone before, like Seven Samurai/Magnificent Seven. Indeed it seems to nod back to many Western tropes, anime, The Matrix, cyberpunk, Star Trek and yes, Star Wars) and weaves it into a new story.

Many will complain about it being derivative, but how many movies truly avoid established tropes, fairy tale structures or Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey?

This next paragraph contains mild spoilers:

The story moves really fast and is very simple. Bad guys visit rural farming community and promise to return. Our protagonists visit other planets to build a gang to help them fight back. They get a gang. They fight the bad guy. And that’s it.

It’s disappointingly simple – but I could live with that if the characters had engaged me. To be fair the characters are all bursting with potential and there are hints of their stories, but we get broad strokes lacking any depth. The flashbacks for Kora (Sofia Boutella) look fantastic and I would have loved to have seen more of that.

The extended edits will include more of the character arcs so then my only complaint will vanish. But why not just make the longer cut available at the same time? I think it’s a bit of a gamble to ask everyone to have faith that the longer versions will provide a satisfactory package. Many viewers may not have that patience.

It’s also worth noting that the extended cuts will also be a higher rating with adult content, language and violence pushed further. So deeper characterisation will come at a price.

The film looks beautiful, with some great action and yes some incredibly slow slow-motion which I suspect is Snyder baiting the complainers. The film sets the scene for what should be a terrific part two as the community has to defend itself.

It’s not an imitation of Star Wars. Even the initial release is a 15 certificate – there are no fun comic robots here. It’s it’s own thing. Snyder and the writers have prepared a huge vision here – but as it’s largely missing (or just spoken about in Anthony Hopkins’ prologue or by characters in passing) I think many viewers will feel like they are in the outside looking in. I know nothing about Dungeons and Dragons Honor Amongst Thieves but loved the film in its own right while the in-jokes happily flew over my head.

For me the Lord of the Rings films gave a great introduction to the lore that was accessible to those who hadn’t read the books.

Rebel Moon makes me feel like I’m playing catch up.

REBEL MOON is a good movie for fans of sci-fi action/fantasy films. The two hours fly by with the breakneck pacing. The cast are excellent and the sci-fi elements, visuals and action are entertaining.

Like everything, it’s best to watch it yourself and make up your own mind. Let the keyboard warriors fight amongst themselves.