A Reel Opinion: REBEL MOON Cries More, More, More

Self-proclaimed visionary director Zack Snyder is back in cinema news this week. His newest film, REBEL MOON – A CHILD OF FIRE: PART ONE, is in limited release in theatres before debuting on Netflix this Friday the 22^nd. Thus far, the sci-fi, space-war film is being met with scathing reviews. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports that only 20% of reviewers gave it a favorable review. 

 

But fear not, says Mr. Snyder, for some time in 2024 we will be blessed with a Director’s Cut, which promises a longer run time by an hour (it is currently 2 hours, 14 minutes), and would change the rating from its current PG-13 to an R. In an interview with the AP Wire, Snyder says his director’s cut is “…almost like a different movie”. The promise of a Snyder Cut of the film harks back to the messy situation we had in 2017, when Snyder’s version of JUSTICE LEAGUE was severely compromised. After Snyder left the production due to a family crisis, parent company Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to reshoot and recut the film. That version was panned by critics, and after an annoying four-year campaign by overzealous fans, a four-hour JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE SNYDER CUT was released in 2021 to better reviews (same movie, just longer). 

 

Hollywood has a history of Director’s Cuts improving upon the original releases. In 2005, famed director Ridley Scott’s KINGDOM OF HEAVEN was butchered by Fox, who wanted 45 minutes cut out of it. That film was then butchered again by critics. Scott returned with his Director’s Cut, and that version is now considered to be one of his best works and one of the best films of this millennium. 

 

Snyder, however, is no Ridley Scott…and this move seems to be a calculated one by Netflix and Snyder himself…hoping to cash-in on the Snyder Cut wave that brought the new version of JUSTICE LEAGUE to life. It feels like a pointed effort to get attention, box office, and new streaming subscribers to see the same movie twice. This is not a case of Snyder having his definitive vision butchered by a meddling studio, but instead reeks of greed and is just an embarrassment to cinema. Not to mention causing mass confusion with audiences. 

 

Here's a thought: Get it right the first time. That’s what real visionaries do. 

 

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REBEL MOON - A CHILD OF FIRE: PART ONE (this version), is now playing in select theatres and will debut on Netflix this Friday the 22^nd. It stars Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Ray Fisher, and Jenna Malone. PART TWO (that version), is set for release in April 2024.