The genesis of Zack Snyder’s epic space opera “Rebel Moon” dates all the way back to 1997. In the years that followed, Snyder would pitch his idea to LucasFilm as a new Star Wars installment. Later he attempted to turn it into a video game. And even later, he considered developing it as a television series. He would eventually make a deal with Netflix, but it came with an agreement that (so far) has led to some pretty mixed returns.
That agreement was that Snyder would be given the creative freedom to fully realize his vision for “Rebel Moon”. It would come in the form of director’s cuts that would offer longer and R-rated dives into his world and its rich mythology. But in order to get the green light, Snyder had to agree to also make a neutered PG-13 version in hopes of it having a broader blockbuster appeal. The two-part PG-13 cut earned big viewership numbers for Netflix but mostly bad reviews from critics.
To be honest, reading reactions to Zack Snyder movies can be a challenge. Viewers are often broken into two groups – the Snyder loyalists who adore anything he does regardless of its quality and the poorly veiled haters who bristle at the mere mention of his name and are as feral in their disdain for his movies as any doting Snyder fanboy. After weeding out all of the noise, the PG-13 product turned out to be entertaining. But it was clearly just a slice of something bigger and potentially better.
Part One of Snyder’s director’s cut adds 70 minutes and gets a new title. “Chalice of Blood” essentially covers the same ground as its significantly shorter PG-13 version, but adds new layers to the overarching story, recontextualizes several character arcs, and gives the film a darker edge through its deeper world-building and amped-up brutality. Also, Snyder’s influences are clearer and better utilized. He’s made it known that “Star Wars”, “Seven Samurai”, and “Heavy Metal” magazine were among his many inspirations. Here they’re more obvious yet better realized.
Among the strengths of “Chalice of Blood” is how it sheds much needed light on several characters and their stories. Chief among them is Jimmy (voiced by the great Anthony Hopkins), one of the last remaining members of a race of sentient robotic knights. In the shortened film version, very little about his character made sense. In this cut we see his journey of self-discovery as he searches for a new sense of purpose. We get to witness the evolution of Jimmy leading to him becoming one of the young franchise’s most compelling players.
Another character to benefit from more attention is Aris (Sky Yang), a young soldier with the Imperium who sides with the villagers on Veldt. We’re shown a side of his story that adds much-needed context to the character’s actions. As for the film’s big baddie, the sad*stic Admiral Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein), he’s seen as even more cold-blooded in his psychopathic loyalty to the Motherworld. As for the main protagonist, Kora (Sofia Boutella), we get a clearer understanding of the pain that haunts yet drives her. It’s mostly thanks to the flashbacks which are better realized this time around.
Despite a runtime of 3 hours and 24 minutes, there is still that lingering sense that Snyder is trying to cover too much ground. It still feels as if there is so much more to be told. For example, the motivations for nearly every warrior who joins Kora’s group could still use more explanation. Their backstories are alluded to more than explored, leaving them too thinly sketched. Still, Djimon Hounsou, Bae Doona, and Staz Nair all make compelling heroes even if their individual backgrounds get shortchanged.
And of course the action gets a welcomed makeover via the movie’s bigger and bloodier set pieces. Those prone to push back on Snyder’s distinct style are almost certain to roll their eyes at the elaborate canvases he creates. But his visual flair fits these movies and could even be called refreshing. Take his signature use of slow-motion. At a time when so many action scenes are hacked to the point of being indecipherable, Snyder’s technique is satisfying its own stylishly indulgent way. And this time there are no constraints with the violence. It’s fittingly graphic, sometimes excessive, but often thrilling.
It’s easy to see how the director’s cut of “Rebel Moon” provides a more fully formed expression of Zack Snyder’s ambitious vision. The visuals are more eye-popping, certain scenes have more impact, and the overall stakes are higher. A few nagging problems from the PG-13 cut remains. And things occasionally veer into the gratuitous, whether it’s a gush of digital blood or a superfluous early sex scene. But for the most part Snyder keeps his focus on developing this vibrant and diverse world, this time taking us beyond a mere sample size and offering us something more established and engaging. The “Rebel Moon” director’s cuts are now streaming on Netflix.
