It is the end that becomes "the inception of something", one of the action-figurine-deep protagonists of “Rebel Moon-Part One: Child of Fire”, Zack Snyder’s aimed two-part series, assures us. At 133 minutes of running time, minus seven for credits, Snyder’s fresh clique of oddballs are prepared to take on space Nazis. Just think Akira Kurosawa in outer space again! But now, all is presented with impeccable storyboard accuracy and an overplayed emphasis on sheer visual vastness, albeit lacking notable detailing.
Director Snyder, famed for his previous work “Army of the Dead”, teamed with co-writers Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, does not strive for novel storytelling. Rather, the trio trudge through familiar territory, armoured with a bigger budget and an unappealing obsession with mimicking aesthetics of other movies and comic books. “Rebel Moon” at times feels more akin to a vibrant storyboard proposal for a film than a bona fide movie featuring human characters and emotional stakes.
The grandiosity-and the corniness-of “Rebel Moon” starts with space farmers, led by a burly Corey Stoll, futilely trying to repel space fascists who represent the once glorious colonial superiority of Motherworld. However, the might of Admiral Atticus Noble, played by Ed Skrein, proves too strong for Stoll's character, prompting the farmers of Veldt to prepare for another invasion. Their savior emerges as a petite farmer named Kora, performed by Sofia Boutella, who embarks on a mission to find and recruit warriors to enable her people to retaliate.
The aesthetic focus of Snyder’s work is again evident through features such as exoticized backgrounds like the Scottish mercenary Kai, handled by Charlie Hunnam, and the beastmaster king Tarak, played by Staz Nair, turned slave.
However, the dialogue, while heavy, sometimes threatens to be overshadowed by picturesque landscape shots, often drawing criticism and comparisons with A.I artwork. Yet, for fans of Snyder's over-produced maximalist style, "Rebel Moon" provides just that.
Like any other Snyder’s movie, it ends on a cliffhanger, not without offering glimpses of characters' humor and battle-weary philosophy along the way. “Rebel Moon,” in spite of its storytelling shortcomings, propels ever forward, and there is something to be appreciated in that.
Audiences can now catch “Rebel Moon” in theaters, and later on Netflix, starting December 22nd.
