Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire - Review (No Spoilers)

My review for Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire'.
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#RebelMoon #ZackSnyder #RebelMoonPartOneAChildofFire

[@LateCambrian]

Zack Snyder is the Michael Bay of Christopher Nolans...

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

lol, well said

[@LateCambrian]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock The only Zack Snyder movie I actually fully like is his Dawn of the Dead remake, written by James Gunn.... who's ironically taking over the DCU from him LOL....

[@GoB1996]

@@LateCambrianas funny as that is I would love for Gunn to give Snyder a character/team to go crazy with. Maybe do that same team with him writing and Snyder directing the Swamp Thing movie or something

[@ramonserna8089]

I feel Zack Snyder movies are long Tom Holkenborg music videos. Literally every scene is accompanied by epic music.

[@py16667]

Lmfao perfect

[@RandomBlackGamer]

At this point i feel like Hollywood companies are gonna start steering clear of Snyder. The budgets for his films are proving to not be worth the price of admission. Just all flash and unrealized substance. His biggest weakness is that he takes forever to get to the point and let us know whats going on. Which is why we get so many extended and "Ultimate" cuts.

[@yojoono]

166M split between 2 films isn't that horrible. Whether it's profitable for Netflix is the main thing.

[@Vegan_Photographs]

LOLS the budget was the same as The Creator… Also, you should go and work for a movie studio and see how far your ‘expertise’ gets you 😂 Jesus, what utter nonsense You’ve not even seen the movie and writing this off someone else’s opinion, MY GOD

[@DangleSan]

Snyder will be fine as a director whether or not he's allowed to direct his own scripts without being heavily edited by a co-author that's a different story

[@VonJay]

Yeah he's a poor man's Abrams and that's not saying a lot. They both have the same storytelling flaws in how to stay focused and get an idea across, but at least Abrams doesn't distract with unnecessary visuals besides lens flare. I think they're similar in that they're visual directors and they don't know how to stitch those scenes together with emotional traction or a coherent theme. Snyder's biggest flaw is that he's self indulgent and apathetic, Abrams is that he's uninspired and unread and is self impressed with a useless thing he created called a mystery box.

[@Vegan_Photographs]

@@VonJay Bro, you think a comment section is you giving a valid opinion on something you can’t even do yourself nor have an ounce of creative ability “ThIs PerSoN iS a PoOr mAnS bLah BlAh” You have zero idea what you’re on about and I suggest you go and watch more movies or ACTUALLY don’t watch them at all if all you’re gonna do is shit talk people and then say it’s constructive criticism LOL The fact you were saying this shit even before you seen the fucking movies says a lot…

[@_M....]

"The director's cut will save it!!"

[@DeadFreakingPool]

The more i think about the movie, it really should have been a TV series. The amount of storytelling to fit into 2 hours just doesn't cut it and while I believe the extended cut will improve certain parts I don't know if it'll solve the general issues surrounding it. It jumps between recruiting the team so sporadically that it doesn't let you sit with any of them long enough, which I really wanted to! The characters look genuinely interesting but they prioritized exposition and world building over character development. Making it episodic could've helped give each episode to a new recruit allowing us to understand their intentions better while highlighting the sense of urgency at the end of each episode by returning back to Veldt. I noticed he had co writers on this so was hoping they had an influence but it's quite apparent he had the final say which makes the film flow like a first draft with no regard to constructive feedback. There are many instances that I could think of right after which could have improved his own work (like slightly changing their blasters to have more impact to compliment the impressive sound design, changing Nemesis' gauntlets to have a limit to hold the lava blades so there's more risk to using them, Tarak's ability to tame animals having an impact against the Imperium if they used animals for their conquest) but it's unfortunate there was no intention to go that extra mile for the sake of "cool". In a way I do hope it is moderately successful to allow other storytellers a chance to play within the potential of the world building presented here.

[@ARBLACKx]

It's weird how Snyder is good friends with Christopher Nolan as they're the complete opposite as directors. I know Nolan has praised Watchmen but he's said nothing about Snyder's other movies. Also why wouldn't Snyder ask Nolan for help/assistance with his screenplays at least.

[@ndo533]

He's liked all of snyders DC work

[@KafuKemeh]

Nolan loved his Dc works he literally said his favourite scene in Man of Steel was the scene between teen Clark and Jonathan

[@antimer6799]

​@@ndo533 wasn't Christopher Nolan a "producer" on those movies?

[@ndo533]

@@antimer6799 yes

[@_M....]

@@antimer6799 he never contributed anything to those movies. Nolan was credited as a producer because he suggested WB hire Snyder to do Man of Steel (after he turned it down) since he himself thinks super human heroes are stupid.

[@hendrsb33]

REBEL MOON looks like a mish-mash of different movies from STAR WARS to HARRY POTTER to GLADIATOR or any MCU movie. I've seen only a few of his films and none of them have compelled me to watch any more of his eye-candy. Zack really needs to team up with a writer of equivalent narrative skill to create a brilliant story to match brilliant visuals.

[@VonJay]

I've never watched a brilliant story with brilliant (noticeable) cgi visuals. Snyder doesn't know how to hide his cgi, I don't even think he knows why that's important. Lord of the Rings for instance, used cgi like icing on the cake, and not like the entire birthday party. They also used perspective to make dwarf like characters look short, and removed the need to make them short in a computer in post. Snyder literally shows up on set not trying to make the film look believable from the viewers perspective. So he has no philosophy on how to tell a story or how to get an idea through to an audience. He's literally there to show you bad cgi.

[@Simonds007]

Hey James. I keep seeing all the awesome books in your library and hoping you might do a video going through them one day. Thanks again for putting yourself through all these shitty movies for us.

[@jablanbukvovski]

hey girl

[@daviddelcasse6295]

Yeah James give yourself a break 😂 treat yourself to something good.

[@CarlWheatley-wi2cl]

Snyder trying to forge a new IP was the first mistake. Whatever his geniune talents are. writing and characterisation isn't on the list. While people were getting excited over a visually overloaded and overblown trailer I was feeling that this is trying to compensate for something. Sure enough here we are. Snyder should stick to slick visual interpretations of tales already told, leave the writing to more talented people PLEASE. That said Rebel Moon doesn't sound terrible and that seems to be good enough for many.

[@VonJay]

Yeah you said it better than me. I feel like the job of a director is lost to a lot of studios. Knowing how to tell a story to me is a requisite visual storytellers, that's why I don't consider anything by Snyder, great, visually. I've seen a lot of people say that Snyder is a great visual director and I can't place one great visual in his entire filmography. The most I'd say is that he has great visual ideas, if only the movies weren't movies and just a collection of screenshots. His films tend to playout like disjounted deviantart portfolios using open source blender tools. And to tell a great anything involving beats one shouldn't be self indulgent and apathetic.

[@user-pf8cv2yz2x]

It will do phenomenal numbers for Netflix. Any basic movie actually does phenomenal for Netflix.

[@_M....]

true

[@ditroxx]

Did almost half views than adam sandler muder mistery 2 (49m)

[@linushell4726]

Gotta say I’ve always seen Snyder as a really mid-tier filmmaker in general which is why I’ve seen this movie as just a substitute until Dune drops.

[@manofmartin]

But nobody cares about dune two.

[@jk222s]

Mid is pretty generous honestly

[@rasmuspedersen3563]

Watch justice League the Znyder cut...

[@Ale-dd3ek]

​@@rasmuspedersen3563a cool action movie but nothing exceptional

[@chokesuke4316]

​@@manofmartinwho is "nobody"? Speak for yourself man

[@koryeasterday5164]

Shame we give so much time, money, and attention to "A-list" actors and film-makers when there are so many talented unknown artists out there :/

[@nimawhe]

Just because you mentioned Deathstalker and the Sword and the Sorcerer, you have a new subscriber.

[@thenewreviewdotnet]

I don't understand why people expect anything more than bland storytelling with amazing eye candy from Snyder. I mean, you should know what you're going to get by now. Either you love it or hate it.

[@VonJay]

Amazing eye candy? How. It looks like deviantart portfolio screenshots.

[@ndo533]

I think the thing is for ppl who like Zack, we all hold our breath when he drops a film bc we can see the potential in his work. Like he really is a talented filmmaker with his own visyal style. But the writing/storytelling just doesnt elevate it beyond the visuals and its disappointing. Hes fully capable. He just needs a good script.

[@Vegan_Photographs]

It is a good story I’ve seen it, also, most of his movies has co writers from talented writers, so, the view of he’s not good and needs help story wise kinda falls flat His stories are good, weird why people ignores WW being his story, but then I said that to someone and they said “but he was co writer” 😂 So, when his film ‘isn’t good’ he needs a co writer When his film ‘is good’ it’s down to the co writer 😂 The nonsense people say online really is frustrating and funny Many people are engaged from his stories he’s made, so, why is it those people are and the ones that say he can’t write not?? The people that worked on it is really proud of the end result, I spoke to them last week after the premiere at the after event, and some of them have worked with really great directors, does that mean they’re also clueless and delusional in their jobs? 🙄

[@ndo533]

@user-dm2nx4yu5o maybe you should reread what I wrote instead of making ridiculous assumptions. we have differing opinions, not sure why youre taking it personal. Also he's only credited for the story for WW, not as a co write, even if he did contribute a couple lines or two to the script. "Story by" vs "Co write" are two separate things. Have the day you deserve 👍🏾

[@Vegan_Photographs]

@@ndo533 what you state isn’t fact, it’s simply an opinion You stating him not being able to write a good script or story doesn’t make it true, I’ve spoken to him directly about his work, I know how in depth his stories go and I can actually feel that in his work, to state the writing on all of his projects doesn’t elevate it beyond the visuals is rather disingenuous. Everyone states how amazing the visuals are, so, if that IS the case, surely it would take an amazing and one of a kind script to match the visuals being as the visuals in most of his movies are distinct but also PART of the story telling?! The visuals ARE the story as much as what gets written down Slo motion in his movies are not just there cause he thinks it’s cool, it actually serves a narrative purpose, so it’s part of the story 🤷‍♂️

[@ndo533]

@user-dm2nx4yu5o I'm a massive snyder fan, I know his work ethic and how collaborative he is. I said what I said. Have a good day

[@DangleSan]

I love Zach as a director but after sucker punch I said this man needs a co author to edit and beef up his scripts, I fear Zachs script will be the weak point, Some people just shouldn't write their own scripts to direct like guillermo del toro, After I saw the shape of water I said this man should never be allowed to direct his own writings again

[@josephpledgerpublicfigure4811]

So...the plot is a B movie space fantasy. However, Rebel Moon shines with the cinematic pace of an art film!

[@SEAKPhotog]

Thanks for the LOL when you mentioned walking out on Wonka!😂

[@DjWasteland]

It's 100% Heavy Metal Magazine/Starwars/Old samurai films. It's actually pretty great. Not his best for sure. But still a damn good time. I will definitely watch the next one. And probably more films if they make them blows away any thing Starwars put out in the least ten years. Not to mention it's only 2 hours long I don't know where we're going to get all this character development lol. You know we still have another chapter and more media coming from that universe. But It should have been released as a binge series I will admit that also. And the first battle in the barn was pretty dope she's straight kicked perv butt.

[@lisaboban]

Thank you for reviewing "Wonka" by walking out. That movie is a sacrilege.

[@Bayard1503]

I mean what did you expect from a musical?

[@DangleSan]

The issue is this Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp were beloved legends, Wonka is a role reserved for beloved legends Timothy Chalamee is an actor Hollywood has been trying to make a household name for 8 years, He never should have been offered or given the role he don't have the clout or cache

[@tjk3430]

I can't say I'm surprised so I'm not disappointed about this film individually. My concern is for the effect it might have on studios taking risks on new IP going forward. Who knows maybe it will be a financial success (however Netflix defines this) if not a critical one. I'm not sure if I'm going to watch Part One anytime soon. If on Xmas evening after feasting someone asks if I want to watch Rebel Moon I won't say no (seems like a good digestion movie). More likely I'll wait for the R cut or until Part II is available before diving in.

[@Vegan_Photographs]

Of course, you’re gonna form a negative opinion from someone else’s opinion and then state you’re not gonna watch it… How about form your own, I know in 2023 it’s hard to have your own individual opinion without external influences, but it’s pretty easy, you should try it Btw, I seen the movie in London last week, I spoke to a few of the actors and crew at the after party and they were all very proud of their work, and this is people that’s been in the industry a LONG time It’s actually an entertaining time, but of course, fun clearly is something that’s disappeared with such cynical mindsets like yours Well done…

[@tjk3430]

@@Vegan_Photographs I'm glad you liked it! Would never want to take away from your joy. I've been watching vids on this channel for years & have found my opinions very often align with James'. Just recently he reviewed 'Silent Night' fairly pointing out its strengths & weaknesses but ultimately concluded it was far from John Woo's best past efforts. Being a fan of John Woo films I didn't let his review stop me from going to the theater & buying a ticket. I didn't say I was not going to watch Rebel Moon. Did you read my whole comment before posting? I may watch it as soon as Christmas or wait six months. Does that timeline work for you? Let me know, I aim to please.

[@doc8013]

​@@Vegan_Photographshe was extremely respectful and level-headed while you were abrasive and condescending. But yet, you act like he's the problem. Well done.

[@ndo533]

@user-dm2nx4yu5o you're doing too much. He didn't say anything wrong. You're saying he shouldn't be influenced by other ppls opinions but ironically arent you're trying to influence him with yours? He's not obligated to do anything, he'll watch it when he feels like it. Merry christmas

[@Vegan_Photographs]

@@ndo533 calm down brah, movies are more like sports now, people are so opinionated on things that’s made for freaking entertainment and enjoyment People constantly needs to say at least one thing negative or else their brains would explode That’s the place we’re living in now and quite frankly it’s fucking boring

[@emmettfitz-hume9408]

See, this is the essential problem with Zach Snyder. He's amazing with visuals: its awe-inspiring eye candy. He can't finish a story to save his life.

[@billybarnett9518]

This is a weird take because he usually has co writers (like the two on Rebel Moon) or he simply doesn't write the movies. None of the screenplays for his 3 DCEU movies were written by him, David Goyer and Chris Terrio were the writers.

[@davidd.6448]

That sounds about right. I believe he's capable of directing a good movie, the problem is that the writers he gets paired up with are often unoriginal hacks i.e David Goyer and especially Kurt Johnstadt

[@billybarnett9518]

@@davidd.6448 Goyer had already earned trust because he was a writer on The Dark Knight trilogy, he was attached to MOS before they even had a director. At one point, Goyer almost wrote a Jabba The Hutt movie with Del Toro directing.

[@michaelclark8831]

Now we need a non spoiler review for those three to four fascinating minutes of Wonka😂!

[@realebogakgobokoe468]

Saw it last night and I couldn’t agree more with your review.

[@softladification]

Being opinionated can be lethal however when knowledge of the subject matter is allied to infectious enthusiasm it has the ability to be highly entertaining and that was a very entertaining video. Great work James, keep it up.

[@Eggplantman21]

Funny as it may sound, but I think Snyder is a director that lacks any sort of vision. He comes up with all these crazy visuals he knows how to put to picture but its become a fucking joke when he almost never seems satisfied about how he feels with the final product. He can't stop being so attached to his films that he feels the need to make ten dozen cuts to every single cut of a film and never finish shooting the movie. It's telling he already wants to make another cut of this when the movie is already split in two parts. But if the story your trying to tell is incomplete, its because your shooting a first draft. I hate his method of movie making.

[@KafuKemeh]

Saying this when it is already confirmed that a Part 2 is coming out and a series of trilogies is coming out is really absurd

[@RandomBlackGamer]

The review I've been waiting for

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I hope it delivers!

[@jablanbukvovski]

The review I've been waiting for Maverick. I hope it delivers Iceman!

[@SimonCoulton]

rofl at the Wonka reaction

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Big fan of Chalamet but I knew within seconds the music was going to make me vomit. Had to skedaddle.

[@Bayard1503]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock But what did you expect when going to a musical?

[@DangleSan]

Congratulations on being the only person I've ever seen critique Zack Snyder's work without completely sounded like a hater, It's been a long time since I've heard a real film review

[@BubblegumCrash332]

I was so hyped only because the trailer used Three Days from Janes Addiction one of the most epic rock songs ever. Go listen if you haven't heard

[@DIN_A8]

This was a no-go for me, i like the song, but why should music von this world be used in this fictional scifi universe? Imagin Star Wars 1977 with music from 1977 or before… like with Dune now, music is composed for their worlds, thats how it should be. It even can get better with sound design, likewith Under The Skin with Scarlett Johansson.

[@BubblegumCrash332]

@@DIN_A8 I was just excited because that song never gets mentioned when discussing epic rock songs, It's one of the best. But yeah it doesn't make sense using it for this movie

[@DIN_A8]

@@BubblegumCrash332 i know :) i don‘t question your, obviously good taste in music, i‘am baffeld by the decision to use the track for this. Someone was probably think „this is cool“ not having a bigger vision for the movie.

[@ndo533]

​@@DIN_A8zack likes heavy metal. It inspired the entirety of this movie

[@DIN_A8]

@@ndo533 George Lucas loved his dog, so he created Chewbacca, he didn‘t put the dog in it, his dog inspired him to recreate a equivilant for his Star Wars Universe. Zack could have created a Heavy Metal themed world, its been done before. My point is, when u create a whole fictional world, why not go all the way with the possibilites?

[@theborgv]

Based on the trailer it's just Magnificent Seven in Space, like Magnificent Seven was just Seven Samurai but in the American Midwest.

[@dobi287]

Was it bad or just disappointing (which can often feel worse. That's why it's best to go into things with zero expectations if at all possible)

[@eon5323]

With zero expectations this would just feel like a Star Wars rip off...? If you have zero context, you'd have no idea about how this movie came to be.

[@Makkaru112]

Snyder could have easily been a big part of this movie if he wasn’t the director. And often times the director isn’t the one making the film. LOTR showed hours and hours of behind the scenes stuff that showed who try made it happen. We love those moments. The red carpet should more often show the people who made it all happen.

[@Makkaru112]

The dancer comment reminds me of the great video AngryMexa did when comparing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon to ROP and he did such a wonderful job with awesome juxtaposition between the two to show all the hilarious stuff ROP was doing and did an awesome job comparing Guyladriel into a rabid squirrel from that one film… ahaha 🤣

[@VersusSEED]

I spit out my orange when you described the character with "freshly shaved chest and freshly shaved nipples" 😂

[@brandondavis3431]

I wonder in another universe what a Zach Snyder version of Dune would be like. I’m sure it would be utterly terrifying

[@matiasdevaglia4541]

With a good script, I think he would make a decent Dune movie. Znyder's major flaw has always been in the writing department.

[@ndo533]

​@@matiasdevaglia4541precisely. He just needs a good screenwriter. He has to stop trying to do everything

[@unevenstreets1182]

@@ndo533 remember when he tried to do writing, directing, and cinematography in Army of the Dead.

[@ULYSSES-31]

Terrifyingly bad

[@ndo533]

@@unevenstreets1182 it's impressive, and the movie entertained, but I can't quite say if it was actually good. It was decent. But he really should delegate more often

[@chrisdecastroart8817]

Saw it yesterday. I have been a huge Zack Snyder fan since 300, but I do share same feelings with you about the cut of this movie. 6/10 for me. I'm still looking forward to the longer Rated R cut.

[@lockekappa500]

My recommendation to ANYONE who is thinking of watching this is just wait till April and watch both, and forget that this film attempted to be it's own standalone piece of media.

[@stamkos33]

Thank you for your honest review. Even though you didn't like the movie, I can appreciate that you're trying to be fair. Just a reminder that this PG-13 Part 1 is essentially 1/3 of the final product. Director's cut will not only be more violent but also explore the lore and characters further, and Part II is not a sequel but the second half of the movie. So you've technically seen 2 hours of a 6 hour movie that will be available next year. Hope that by then, we get the Rebel Moon we've been hoping for.

[@wazgoodjj]

That means nothing. The R version of BvS was just as bad only longer.

[@MauriceUgwonohMauRs]

​@@wazgoodjjgoing by your response to the prior comment, you doknow your view means nothing aswell?

[@stamkos33]

@@wazgoodjj ok boloss

[@shaneweasl]

@@wazgoodjjto you. Meanwhile that version of dawn of justice has helped a lot of people like the movie. You’d be surprised how many videos you’ll find on here of people talking about how they hated the theatrical version but the extended cut made them a fan of the movie. And I’m one of those people. Its my favourite superhero movie now couse of it

[@Ale-dd3ek]

​@@shaneweasl oh God I hate Batman vs Superman so fucking much I loved Man of steel so much and then Redditor Luthor arrived

[@shadcast]

I think that the extended version is gonna be the definitive Snyder version. He said that it feels Like It’s in an alternate universe almost and he didn’t hold back. Here’s hoping. Thanks for your honesty.

[@specialk4006]

Army of the Dead was a bad sign... this seems to confirm my fear that Netflix was a bad idea for Snyder.

[@sankharaYT]

Snyder was a bad idea for Snyder.

[@matiasdevaglia4541]

Snyder is the kind of director that works better under the tight control of producers.

[@jmx808]

If you've seen the trailer, you've seen every interesting moment. The movie is really just a collection of disjointed moments in abstract locations with OK CGI. The first bit is actually good and features some decent exposition even if the bad guys are comically bad and predictable. As it progresses though it gets worse and worse with less explanation of what's going on, worse CGI, nonsensical plot and zero chemistry between characters. I think the "squad" spoke maybe one line to each other each. Nearly every neat thing in the movie was cribbed from a better franchise.

[@Phantoma3]

I haven't watched RM movie yet but I have watched a 10min YT movie all about the RM lore and the backstory and history of the main characters because I like to prepare.

[@JimGronefeld7769]

I just subscribed. I see Heat 2 back there on your book shelf. I just started reading it. What are your thoughts on the upcoming movie?

[@tjk3430]

Hey. James did a review vid of the book about a year ago. More recently (3 months ago) he did a vid "Fall 2023 Movie Schedule - 20+ Movies I Plan to See" where he mentioned Ferrari & Heat 2 came up. I remembered this bc I asked his thoughts on casting & he replied in the comments.

[@spacecrimebeatz]

I get excited for almost every Scott Snyder film, but after seeing them I’m almost always disappointed. Army of the Dead was downright unwatchable to me so I’m in no rush to see this new film, but I’m sure I will eventually give in to my curiosity and check it out. great video!

[@Whaddayamean13]

Army of the Dead’s main characters were five times more enjoyable than this. In the first two thirds of that movie many of the characters any did stuff and acted like people.

[@mainstreetsaint36]

Scott Snyder is the Comic Book writer, Zack is the director. No relationship between the two Snyders.

[@andrewbaker8805]

New subscriber. Thanks for an honest and explorative review

[@Dani-kq6qq]

I told you months ago the 1st trailer showed generic crap sci fi. I am not here to gloat, you are the #1 critic i trust to challenge my preconceptions, you are good at communicating how it is like to view a film with your eyes. Im glad Disney rejected it, i dont need anymore headaches.

[@chrishuard12]

Well said brother! Well said! When I was a kid, all I wanted was creatures, destruction, and cool special effects! Now that I am older, all I care about is character development! If a movie doesn’t make me emotionally invested in the characters, then I dont want to watch it. “Rebel moon” is a disaster with the narrative. I never cared about any of them. The almost rape Scene when she kills the “Space Nazis”, that got me emotionally invested. But after that, ……………nothing! Eye candy cannot save a poorly written script and story. Just ask Michael Bay. Holla!

[@mcribprime6594]

I will be watching regardless, your opinion means nothing to me positive or negative. Self proclaimed mainstream critics are biased as hell, I like synder movies, with exception to sucker punch that was freaking awful and I have to say that. I’m watching this Friday, but I will watch the extended cut when it releases.

[@dobi287]

4 minutes into your video and sounds like army of the dead. I wonder where this stacks up in comparison. I have the feeling he peaked with BvS but i hope his best days are still ahead

[@tjk3430]

I really wanted to like Army of the Dead.

[@jumaiyah6521]

I cant stand Army of the dead. Maybe I bail before they enter vegas. The dialogue, the weird blurry visual thing, it just so average. I skip around the movies n it doesnt seem to get better (the lady red bandana died in a really stupid way). They put vegas as setting and somehow màke it boring.

[@dobi287]

@@jumaiyah6521 it has interesting ideas and Easter eggs like time loop paradoxes, alien zombie virus, government Android infiltrator zombies, evolving zombies, zombie reproduction etc but the execution just doesn't appeal to me. I want to learn more about the world but not watching the movie.

[@_M....]

I don't know why anyone who's not firmly inside his (basically) cult would have expectations from Snyder. He is not someone who should be anywhere near a script. He make immature movies for an immature audience, the type of grown man who thinks like a 14 year old that hasn't had sex yet and thinks glorified violence and sex makes a piece of content "mature". Snyder is good at making things look nice on screen, he cannot tell or direct a story to save his life. Unless the movie is dumb simple he always needs an extended directors cut to tell his story. a sign he's simply not getting better at this. Oh, he didn't work with Larry Fong on this, the cinematographar that shot most, maybe all of zack's previous movies as wel ass Kong Skull Island. so if it doesn't quite look like his previous work that's why. May have used a different second uit as well idk. The bigger a project gets and the more of the pis Zack is directly responsible for, well...

[@NoidoDev]

Try to watch Serenity as well for comparison, even without watching Firefly (tv show) first.

[@samuelschwager]

I prefer Snyder's earlier work (Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen) over his later work :P

[@vde1846]

Very much the same

[@Makkaru112]

I already thought of some cool stuff to do with the beings like King Levitica. But alas they didn’t get me on the team before they released part one. I’d have already allowed for some great worldbuilding to and a better dearth scene for the king. Showing WHY they chose peaceful to begin with.

[@jablanbukvovski]

that story of you leaving theater after watching only 4 minutes of some movie must be included in tantrums iceberg, iceberg people, it is time

[@nicholaspickell7448]

I feel like you gave an honest review. I don’t think its his worst but it's not a great flick....at least this iteration. I will say i disagree with your Wonka review. It's a legit top 10 movie of the year. I do think sometimes people don’t know what to expect goinf into a particular movie, but Wonka was everything i expected and more.

[@drewmcgill5290]

The spider fight scene with Nemesis was sick.

[@ceranko]

Where did you watch Rebel Moon ahead of time

[@hustler3of4culture3]

I expect that Netflix gave him no discipline to reign him in. I'll still watch it, and i hope it's good, but your review makes sense.

[@chaburchak]

Ed Skrein played Dario Naharis in Game of Thrones, then was replaced the next season by Michiel Huisman. And both actors are in Rebel Moon. Sounds like they dragged the GOT taint along with them...

[@andreasesser4641]

You are too cautious sometimes James. A Snyder fan that takes everything personal, is not something you want to be audience-captured by. Just say it how you feel it.

[@ANDREVILAFRANCA]

Thank you for you honesty always. I really like 300 and I love the Watchmen extended edition but this is gonna be a pass for me. May I interest you in an indie film called The Vast of Night? Also did you end up watching Never Look Away by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck? I'd like to hear your thoughts on these. xD Keep up the passion.

[@KafuKemeh]

Are you going to use a review video to determine whether the film is good or not? And i guess you have not seen his director cut of BvS and Zack Snyder Justice League

[@ANDREVILAFRANCA]

@@KafuKemeh Nah I'm simply not interested. But I do respect his opinion. I mainly commented to ask if he had seen the films I mentioned.

[@DrDetfink]

Sadly I’m not surprised this movie didn’t have much substance behind the style and eye candy. Zach Snyder needs a strong writer and script who can keep him in check. Otherwise you get Sucker Punch 2.

[@JimGronefeld7769]

Thanks!

[@CosmicRay111]

What stands out to me most is the hunger of the audience, and their desire and readiness to applaud, if only they were given the chance.

[@Mae1973Tys]

A Frank Frazetta painting has more character development than what I saw in Rebel Moon.

[@jdsantibanez]

I really love Sucker Punch.

[@panpiper]

The story went right over most people's heads. It's a grail story.

[@winstonsmith8236]

I hope you saw Godzilla Minus One----HOLY SHIT is it a ruthless takedown of HollyWood bug budget action movies!!! Best of for me, with The Holdovers, Anatomy of a Fall and When Evil Lurks. Actually all of those movies are condemnations of Hollywood.

[@ThePrinceofHisOwnKingdom]

Hollywood's condemnation movies come from within.

[@bigsheed9003]

Godzilla-1 is my favorite movie I seen in theaters since Dune.

[@hendrsb33]

"... bug budget action movies"? 😆

[@CayeDaws]

The director of minus one himself said he wished to have a higher budget. Toho underpayment workers is not something to use as an own against Hollywood. It was good despite the budget not because of it

[@JimGronefeld7769]

Thanks for being unbiased. I’ve liked a number of Snyder’s movies, but I feel like he has trouble stitching together a good, cohesive narrative. They look great but there’s no real substance.

[@xe666]

Are you gonna be doing Wrongreel best of 2023?

[@BrianHartman]

While I didn't like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, or The Book of Boba Fett, I think you *could* point to Disney Star Wars that's done much better than Rebel Moon. With very few exceptions. The Mandalorian is better written than anything in Rebel Moon. The Force Awakens was too similar to A New Hope, but at least Abrams knew what the assignment was in that movie. My main problem with Rebel Moon was the paper-thin plot and characters. To me, it was all sizzle, no steak. You can blame that on the fact that it was only Part 1 (and I've heard people defend it that way), but Part 1 of a trilogy needs to get the audience invested and talking about the characters. And does anyone *care* about the characters from Rebel Moon? To be honest, I couldn't even name the main character after the movie ended. It's almost as if Snyder saw Rogue One and took the wrong lessons from it (although I think the script for Rebel Moon was older than Rogue One). I went into it wanting to like it. I love 300 and Watchmen. But I think Snyder just dropped the ball here.

[@willsnavycut]

+1 for the Morning Kombat shirt. LT and BC are the best.

[@nathanturvill4449]

Never been much of a Snyder fan, I like watchmen but never other than that his films have never done it for me. Got to ask James as a fellow mma fan and don’t what are your pics for this weekend?

[@eldritchmorgasm4018]

If you compare this with his Netflix zombie-movie, and the latest Marvel/DC movies, including all the Disney-SW stuff, how is "Rebel Moon" doing? It can't be that bad... right?

[@nevskislake]

So a few weeks ago, I asked my husband, "What's the best sci-fi movie you have ever seen?" He said, "Rebel Moon!" I, of course, said, "Babe, you have only watched the trailer. How can it be the best sci-fi movie you have ever seen?" He said, "Because it has everything. It is a little bit of Dune, a little 40K, a whole lot of Star Wars, and basically Seven Samurai." This is a long way of saying that I can't wait to see what he thinks of the actual film. Thank you for this review.

[@NoidoDev]

I wonder why some people call these fans cultists.

[@aly4920]

Why two cuts? Not against PG-13 films, but if the film was shot with the intention for adults, keep that way. Wonder how much was edited out for this version? Thanks again for the review, James.

[@koryeasterday5164]

Marketing and profit. There's not artistic reason. Get people in with the initial, then get them to pay again for the R version. But I think this only works if the product is decent enough to make any ROI.

[@mupicap7927]

They want ur money. So you can pay for 2 instead 1. 😂

[@bloandon]

​@@koryeasterday5164 but its only playing on Netflix and (im assuming) the pg-13 cut is coming out first right? I doubt people who see that cut will come back to watch another cut, other than die hard Snyder fans. I don't see general Netflix viewers caring.

[@jonathanblaze1648]

I walked out of Wonka as well. But I gave it 45-50 minutes before I left. I was thoroughly bored and unentertained.

[@goodfella1401]

I've not seen Rebel Moon but what I saw from the trailer was 300 meets Watchmen meets Sucker Punch with CGI that I've seen better in the Battlestar Galactica TV show from the early 2000s. So unless I hear critics praise how the story and/or the characters are very well written then I have no desire to watch another Snyder movie that is all about visuals but lacks any kind of a well told story or fleshed out characters that is over two hours long with a color palette that refuses to show vibrant colors and takes itself way too seriously with tons of slow motion thrown into it

[@ZSG92]

Came for the movie review but saw the shirt and instantly had to give it a like!

[@TimothyMReynolds]

Wow. That thumbnail says it all

[@RasheedJones]

I’ll wait till I see it myself because too many people pretend to hate it because it’s Zack.

[@jmroose7749]

A very entertaining film, the last act is 🔥

[@kirkgraham9968]

The hour was cut out by Netflix because 2hr movies perform MUCH better on their platform... even though people will binge a TV show for 8hrs

[@jadapandy]

Love most of Snyder's movies. He does the best zombie movies, 300 is killer historical fantasy, and Justice League is 4 hours of classic comic-book film! I still cannot wait for Rebel Moon.

[@DangleSan]

I love Zach I a fan but not a fan boy, Sucker Punch showed his weakness is writing, I'm nervous about this story in rebel moon I'm nervous Zack didn't let enough people help him with the script

[@shaunbless]

My friend said “I think everyone should show a ticket “ 😅😅😅

[@nemomarc7841]

REBEL MOON 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 very impatient.

[@Makkaru112]

When and where can we see the R rated full cut movie?

[@ZulcanPrime]

I watched it and I liked it regardless of the negative reviews.

[@marcayres8567]

Awh that's a shame, I saw a trailer for this a while back & had high hopes💚🇬🇧🌱

[@DrLynch2009]

That thumbnail said it all.

[@camilus88]

It's a brilliant movie

[@ndo533]

How do you figure?

[@r2153]

It appears Hollywood has promoted supporting actors to leading roles. I can't remember a time in movies/tv where leads lack any trace of charisma/presence.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

Why does he not work with high level writers with all this money involved?

[@Empress_Theresa]

Because Zack is a moron. He thinks he knows best. Just look at the crappy cinematography of Army of the Dead and you will understand.

[@wizarddragon]

A correction I would make is Disney released 1 good Star Wars. Andor

[@jk222s]

It still feels like a miracle Andor ever got made

[@verkpunk]

I was a zaddyhead early on but he is having a rough decade.

[@lemuelcubase]

That thumbnail tho 😂

[@sci-fi.tsunami]

Sucker Punch is my favorite movie. And I love his DC movies.

[@panpiper]

The story went right over most people's heads. It's a grail story.

[@dukecunning7046]

I like every Snyder movie I have seen. King Arthur is my favorite. To me, it had material for 3 movies. If he had made money on it, I would have loved to have seen more. I like good stories. From your comments, it makes me think his movies would be even better with better writing?

[@puichiung2959]

Those chicks in SP were hot!

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

The only time Zack Snyder has made an actual, normal good movie is Dawn of the Dead. I like Watchmen, but any movie he's made after Dawn is just glitzy, artistic masturbation. You can put Watchmen in that category also, but it has good source material... which he may or may have not followed perfectly but at least that base is there. Every project is a demo reel disguised as a movie.

[@AdoboFlashShorts]

the 300 movie still stick to my head until today

[@jaked4442]

I'm getting Rogue One vibes

[@aishaalamoudi599]

dude, love or hate them, these Disney shows have a reliable big viewership. Their films also made SW the 2nd biggest film franchise after the MCU.

[@davidguy209]

I'm still waiting for some Elric content. can we at least have an animated movie?

[@vde1846]

Haven't even read the books yet and I want it!

[@ricky865]

Now that critics hated it I know it's gonna be good.