One of the things Zack Snyder is often accused of with his more "questionable" films is that he tries too hard to mix and blend genres and tropes that supposedly can't go together. Curiously, it's one of the aspects of his filmmaking process that makes most of his films original. His most ardent followers, and not exactly the ones that campaigned for years for the release of his cut of Justice League, actually appreciate this about his movies. In their minds, he's the one capable of adapting their favorite IPs.
However, Snyder also knows himself and his capabilities. Straying away from the familiar material that could make him millions, in recent years he has decided to give his original visions a shot. And this is how he has landed in Rebel Moon. No pun intended.
Disregarding the failures from the past that are associated with the dude (Sucker Punch for example), Netflix has given a blank canvas to fulfill his vision of a film that's fitted inside the territory Snyder knows how to work best. Rebel Moon has been defined as a space opera, a science fiction epic, and an adventure fit for adults.
In fact, it has been confirmed that his latest is actually the result of Snyder's will to make a Star Wars film for years. He pitched it years ago as a twist on the franchise, one that would be enjoyed by most, but especially adults. Years after, Netflix snatched the project for themselves and decided to give Snyder complete creative control on a film that heavily resembles a Star Wars film, but has no direct relation whatsoever.
Set to be released in two parts, one in December of this year, and one in April 2024, Rebel Moon will most likely be a return to Snyder's roots and his capacity to helm complex genre mixes. We trust him enough to know he'll do a good job. While we wait, here's a list of films that you can watch to get in the mood for Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire.
10 Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
There are several Star Wars films we could have chosen for this list, but Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens seems to fit the bill perfectly. It's a modern entry that doesn't quite change the rules of the Jedi-verse, fans really liked it upon release, and it's a damn fun adventure film that makes the audience feel part of it with a very emotional story. Also, it features a female leader and hero, and we need tons more of them.
9 The NeverEnding Story
When it comes to fantasy films that have depth in their stories, The NeverEnding Story is one that stands close to the top. This story about two boys in different realms trying to save the world from a horrific shapeless villain is an '80s classic film with great special effects, a genre-bending soundtrack, and solid performances. It's a fantasy adventure with enough unnerving imagery to make adults squirm as they remember when they saw it for the first time.
8 Sucker Punch
Snyder's Sucker Punch is definitely not as bad as people said in 2011 when it was released. This special effects spectacle features the story of a young man who gets committed to a mental institution, and right away she becomes capable of transporting herself to other realms where she and her fellow inmates are warriors fighting everything that stands in their path.
It's a great take on society's discriminatory consideration of female paranoia that gets better and more relevant with time. This one is proof that Snyder knows well how to handle his original concepts.
7 Guardians of the Galaxy (All Volumes)
We'll go right ahead and pick a very original franchise inside another franchise. All entries of Guardians of the Galaxy tell the story of warriors fighting every kind of threat while also trying to keep it together as they're very different from each other, both physically and emotionally. Of course, start off with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, and indulge in James Gunn's peculiar storytelling.
6 Avatar (Both of Them)
James Cameron's fantasy action franchise is as epic as you would imagine, and they represent a great way to get in tune with what Snyder's surely trying to do. In both Avatar and its sequel, an alien civilization is threatened by the wrath of man as their planet becomes a mining target, and the Na'vi have no intention of surrendering. As expected, it's a visual effects extravaganza only Avatar films are the absolute best at.
5 Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Space opera Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets tells the story of two special agents that must find a threat by exploring all the corners of a galaxy, and thus save a metropolis and possibly the entire universe. Luc Besson's epic film is an adventure that has Besson's style all over it, making it an extremely fun film for everyone to watch. It's not nearly as bad as critics said years ago. It still remains the most expensive independent film ever made.
4 Flash Gordon
1980's great space opera Flash Gordon has been accused of being cheesy and campy, but never boring. The film tells a story about of Gordon, a quarterback from Earth, fighting a ruthless king and trying to save Earth from his wrath. It featured a great soundtrack by Queen, and even though it's considered a cult film today, most people didn't like it back then.
3 Dune
Denis Villeneuve's 2021 version of the sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, Dune, is the epic story of Paul Atreides, a young warrior who must defend an entire civilization against a corrupt warlord. His intention is to take over a desert planet called Arrakis, which holds the most valuable substance in the galaxy.
To see these kinds of films get made and released on a mainstream level is a luxury for genre buffs, as the film isn't based on a known IP that will help the studio get back its budget. Regardless, Dune was a massive success that paved the way for future sci-fi epics like Rebel Moon.
2 Mad Max: Fury Road
George Miller's extraordinary action film Mad Max: Fury Road needs no introduction and no specific reason to watch it over and over again. This story is about a rebellion against an oppressive tyrant being led by a strange warrior and a posse of kickass females. It won a few Academy Awards years ago and is widely considered to be one of the best action films of all time.
1 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc
Another Luc Besson film that feels heavily underrated in its genre, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc tells the story of the French warrior who was able to lead armies in fighting the English during the Late Middle Ages. This retelling of Joan of Arc's story is brutally violent, but extremely compelling because of Milla Jovovich's fantastic performance. Undoubtedly, the best in her entire career.
Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire will be released on Netflix, and some theaters, on December 22, 2023. Snydercut warriors, chill! There are plans to release an R-rating cut.
Comments
Post a Comment