REVIEW: REBEL MOON - PART ONE: A CHILD OF FIRE

3/5

'Star Wars: The Snyder Cut'.

134 Mins. Starring: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Charlie Hunnam & Anthony Hopkins. Director: Zack Snyder. On: Netflix. 

Rebels rejoice. You can now see the moon up with the stars. Netflix really is bringing out the big budget cash cows this fall. Jumping over everything with the 'Maestro' of an Oscar favourite, the indie like big budget hit of 'Leave The World Behind', and now this. So much so, this new N movie headliner begins with a new I.D. that rises through the streaming service's colours like a scraping sky. Similar to Disney's epic waterfall under the castle opening to coronate their 100-year anniversary. Yet Netflix may have beaten the blockbuster, but they'll never be Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, or even the DCEU. No matter how hard they try, or throw money and star names at pictures that don't stick longer than your latest scroll. Still, when corona crippled cinema, Internet flicks stepped in. As did fans complaining and campaigning. Taking HBO to the Max with their lobbying of the release of 'The Snyder Cut' of 'Justice League', which turned into a botched job once the keys to the Batmobile were handed to 'The Avengers' director Joss Whedon, who had already checked out of the Marvel movie machine, halfway through the 'Age Of Ultron'. 'Man Of Steel', 'Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice' and '300' director Zack Snyder's 4-hour epic 'Justice League' was pure fan-service redemption. Leading to his 'Army Of The Dead' Netflix zombie smash, and the bank-rolling spin-off prequel 'Army Of Thieves.' Now, with 'Rebel Moon-Part One: A Child Of Fire', before next April's extended cut following sequel 'The Scargiver', Snyder gives us his 'Star Wars' cut.

Conceived originally as a 'Star Wars' story, this rogue movie shows that anything can get made these days. Even a rejected Lucasfilm pitch. But that's not fair. This movie actually stands on its own two moon boots. Even if big blasters shooting second and electric swords looking rougher (but still cool as) than Ren's red sabre make this feel a little bit like a poor man's galaxy, far, far away. But what science-fiction space opera hasn't taken cues off of the credits crawl? At least this one has the great Anthony Hopkins as an android (and jot for the first time, see 'Transformers') narrating the exposition. This is hardly a rip-off, although we do see why it fell short of being made into a 'Star Wars' property. Especially with all the spin-offs and Disney + shows connected out there. This is light speed away different. Feeling more like a hybrid between Lucas' creation, the 'Lord Of The Rings' journeys and a 'Resident Evil' video game adaptation. It even has its own console tie-in too as Snyder want to start a world building IP with his own spin-off trilogies streaming their way on to Netflix's very own crowded schedule. There's enough cameos here to show there are plenty of big names ready to take us to their own brave and strange new worlds. Whilst, Zack has the dynamic, dark direction of gothic cinematography and brutally bruising action that served DC so well. Even though he was shot from the canon before the Gunn era cleaned house. This rebellious turn could more than make up for that and the fact that his Star Wars picture never saw the light of Rey.

Dark side decedent. The Mother world of this militaristic epic empire is fuelled by conquest and war, and forged by a class cast in avenging ensemble. Ever since she blade ran without an Oscar in 'Kingsman-The Secret Service', Sofia Boutella showed and proved she could be a star, even when she was unrecognizable, but undeniable in 'Star Trek-Beyond'. Here, she goes above and all that. Alongside cult sci-fi favourite Djimon Hounsou, delivering on the promise of his concept photo in perfect black and white. And 'Game Of Thrones' and 'World War Z' star Michiel Huisman, who still has us after that wonderful Lo-Fang 'You're The One That I Want' Grease cover for a Chanel No. 5 commercial starring Gisele Bündchen. More significant support come from 'The Host' and 'Cloud Atlas' star Doona Bae wielding more than just glow sticks, and an unrecognizable Cyborg in the form of 'Justice League' star Ray Fisher reuniting with Snyder and moving past Whedon's abuse of his power. Even more superstar wattage comes from the always scene-stealing 'Son Of Anarchy' and new 'King Arthur', Charlie Hunnam. But it's 'Deadpool' big bad, who still deserves hats off for walking away from 'Hellboy', Ed Skrein who makes the perfect villain. His admiral almost looking like a Nazi in this movie that takes cues from world wars, like 'Star Wars' does samurais and westerns. Farming more than one sci-fi influence, this girl on fire is hungry in these games that are anything but child's play. But this ballad of songbirds and snakes is going to need a little more than a cool shot with a gardening tool if it wants to rake in that George Lucas revenue and regard. These aren't the wars you're looking for. But they're still a decent clone. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Army Of The Dead', 'Justice League: The Snyder Cut', 'Rogue One: A 'Star Wars' Story'.