A Child of Fire has finally landed, bringing Zack Snyder’s ambitious two-part space epic to the forefront. The film, resembling a grandiose “Star Wars” tribute, unfolds in a sprawling 133-minute spectacle, blending a mix of heroes, space Nazis, and a visually stunning but somewhat lacking narrative.
Snyder, along with co-writers Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, doesn’t aim for originality in “Rebel Moon.” Instead, they navigate through familiar territory with a bigger budget, showcasing Snyder’s penchant for replicating styles from various media. The film often feels more like an animated pitch than a fully realized cinematic experience with human characters and emotional depth.
In the vast expanse of “Rebel Moon,” everything is grand, yet somewhat cheesy and unwieldy. Space farmers, attempting to resist space fascists representing the Motherworld’s colonial power, set the stage for the narrative. The visually striking but thinly developed characters, like the brawny Corey Stoll and Admiral Atticus Noble portrayed by Ed Skrein, lead the charge against the impending threat.
The plot takes an intriguing turn as Kora (Sofia Boutella), a petite farmer with a mysterious past, emerges as the champion for her people on Veldt. Her mission involves recruiting a diverse group of warriors, including the Scottish mercenary Kai (Charlie Hunnam) and the enslaved beastmaster prince Tarak (Staz Nair). However, Snyder’s focus seems more on style-guide features than character depth, emphasizing appearances, accents, and dialogue that often feels forced.
“Rebel Moon” occasionally pays homage to post-“Star Wars” space opera themes of resistance, hope, and compassion, but these elements are conveyed through clichéd dialogue and stereotypical poses. The film’s overproduced visual style prompts comparisons to A.I. art, lacking the artistic nuance and human discernment.
Despite moments of joy in attempting to synthesize tropes into an epic narrative, “Rebel Moon” struggles to fully engage viewers. Snyder’s signature speed-ramping action and lip service to female protagonists remain, but the characters, including Kora and cyborg Nemesis (Doona Bae), lack genuine connection. The film’s visuals excel when focused on crashes and aerial maneuvers but lose the fun and affection that likely went into their creation.
“Rebel Moon” hits theaters now and arrives on Netflix on December 22nd. While the film moves towards its foregone cliffhanger ending, the lack of emotional depth and genuine connection with the characters makes it challenging to fully invest in this visually grand but narratively lacking space adventure.