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Writer's pictureDan Brooks

Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire (2023)- A Cosmic Symphony of Awesomeness or Just Another Star Wars Copycat?

From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, an epic science-fiction event decades in the making. When a peaceful settlement on the edge of a distant moon finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors - outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed.




Hey there, intergalactic film enthusiasts! It's your favorite movie connoisseur, Dan, and I've just strapped in for the wild ride that is Netflix's latest sci-fi extravaganza, Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire. Buckle up, because we're about to blast off into a galaxy filled with enough drama, aliens, and lightsab... I mean, laser swords, to make George Lucas question his retirement plans.


First things first, let's talk about the stellar cast. Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, and Bae Doona shine brighter than a supernova. If charisma were a currency, these actors would be billionaires. You'll be rooting for them harder than your favorite sports team during the championship game.


Before you take the plunge into this cosmic adventure, check out the trailer. Spoiler alert: It's got more twists and turns than a black hole's gravitational pull. Grab your popcorn, or in this case, space popcorn, and enjoy the show.


Now, let's dive into the plot. Picture this: a peaceful settlement, a tyrannical ruling force, and a mysterious stranger named Kora (Sofia Boutella). It's like the universe decided to throw a costume party, and everyone's invited, whether they like it or not. Cue epic battle scenes, a quest for redemption, and a pinch of revenge. Snyder serves up a sci-fi feast that's been marinating for decades, and boy, does it taste good.


The bad guys are so delectably evil; you can't help but savor the moments when they get their just desserts. Anthony Hopkins' voice as Jimmy adds a touch of sophistication to his droid character, making you question why your toaster isn't as trustworthy. And kudos to Snyder for crafting a franchise that gives us time to savor the lead characters' backstories. Plus, balancing strong female characters in fight scenes? It's like a cosmic ballet of empowerment.


Oh, and did I mention the new races of aliens and space creatures? Move over E.T., there's a new extraterrestrial crew in town. The vibe? Think Firefly meets Serenity, with a dash of Snyder's signature flair.


Now, onto the dark side of the moon. Some preachy woke language sneaks into the dialogue like an uninvited guest at a space party. And speaking of parties, this could've been a Star Wars bash, but Disney declined the RSVP. Can you blame them? Lightsabers, Cloud City, evil empires — it's like trying to separate peanut butter and jelly.


And let's talk about the moods of the actors. It's as if everyone's trying to out-quote each other for the sake of internet memes. The movie's as moody as a teenager, and if it's not a space battle, the green screen effects are a bit budget. Come on, Netflix, we know you can afford the good stuff.


Here's a sneak peek behind the cosmic curtain. Rebel Moon takes a bow to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, Snyder's favorite movie. It's also Snyder's second fully-digitally shot film, breaking away from his 35mm or 65mm film tradition. And shout-out to Jena Malone for her third dance with Snyder — move over, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Fun fact: Disney declined the invite to this cosmic shindig, so Netflix grabbed the opportunity to become the ultimate space party host.


Ranking: 7.9/10 - A Cosmic Odyssey Worth the Ticket


In the grand scheme of things, Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire earns a solid 7.9 out of 10 from yours truly. It's a cosmic odyssey worth the ticket, despite a few stumbles in the space dance. Now, go forth, my fellow movie astronauts, and may the force... I mean, the galaxy be with you.



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