This second and, for now, final installment of co-writer/director Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon films is as much of a marvel as the first. Consisting of elements that belong to such genres as action, sci-fi, and fantasy, its Star Wars-influenced (it was initially conceived as a Star Wars story that was later rejected by Lucasfilm) universe is intoxicating and enveloping.It is an endlessly thrilling fantasy world filled with interestingly complex characters and plentiful eye candy that is easy to get lost within. The Rebel Moon films are prime examples of escapist entertainment in its most inventive, accessible, and enjoyable form. So, why, exactly, are they getting such massive hate from audiences and critics?
I can’t answer that. Snyder’s movies have always been met with mixed reception due to a bold, theatrical, and unprecedented style that heavily relies on (and pushes the boundaries of) digital technology. Even his greatest fans have to acknowledge that his ideas and his execution of them can sometimes come off as clunky and overblown. That being said, they still deserve credit for trying to deliver a fresh point of view that soars when it works and can be laughably misguided when it doesn’t. The undeniable faults come hand-in-hand with undeniable greatness. All I can say is that I’m on board with Snyder’s wholly singular vision a hundred percent. While his films are never perfect, they simply contain too much high quality to ignore.
Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver picks up right where the last film left off. Kora (Sofia Boutella) returns to the farming moon that is her home with an assortment of warriors on her side. The peaceful inhabitants of the moon prepare to fight against a tyrannical army led by the sinister Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein) who aims to steal the majority of their crop. A plethora of exciting and downright gorgeous depictions of battle ensue.
Rebel Moon – Part Two basically has the same merits and detriments as the first installment. Unnatural and expository dialogue can be overbearing during the first act, the number of characters (and the low amount of screen time some of them are given) occasionally makes it hard to keep track of who everyone is and how they relate to the story, and select moments of high drama don’t quite beget the emotional response that is obviously intended. It is a testament to the quality of Snyder’s vision, however, that the film is able to survive these faults and thrive in the manner it does.
When the film works (which is often), it works splendidly from just about every conceivable angle. Like all of Snyder’s work, the film is simply magical to watch and experience. Its consistently enticing visuals suck the viewer into its world in a similar manner to James Cameron’s celebrated Avatar films. The action sequences are all gloriously and colorfully top-notch in their unabashed Snyder-trademarked execution that constantly shifts between regular and slow motion.
The performances are all quite remarkable, as well. Boutella continues to exhibit a fiery strength that is humanized by select moments of vulnerability. Skrein is, once again, an appropriately, coldly, and mercilessly evil villain. All the supporting cast (Djimon Hounsou, Staz Nair, Cary Elwes, Bae Doona, Michiel Huisman, and many others) fill out their roles with memorable and robustly stylized presences that are in complete harmony with the film’s overall operatic style.
Rebel Moon – Part Two’s first act consists of a lot of exposition and character backstory that runs the risk of bogging it down. Despite some select moments of shaky writing, however, this information is actually rather fascinating. While many characters don’t get the attention they need, many other main and supporting ones are impressively and fully developed so that they are discernible and worth investing in. Such detail serves the remainder of the film well, as you significantly care about most of the key players during the ensuing action.
Once it gets past its first act set-up, Rebel Moon – Part Two’s pacing is simply unrelenting. The last two-thirds of the film’s two-hour runtime simply flies by with a never-ending array of stunning fight sequences. The film eventually becomes a non-stop adrenaline rush filled with breathtakingly artful visuals, skillfully heightened choreography, and expertly precise staging.
Snyder has publicly stated that he hopes to make more Rebel Moon films in the future. It’s an immersive and detailed world that I believe warrants further exploration, but I’m afraid that the inexplicable poor reception of the first two films will prevent that from happening. I hope I’m wrong, but fans may just have to settle on the R-rated, three-hour director’s cuts of both films that are set to be released later in 2024 to appease their desire for more. Perhaps there’s hope, however, that enough people will ignore the negative word of mouth and give the Rebel Moon films the unbiased chance they so completely deserve.
GRADE: A-
