We finally got Zack Snyder’s director’s cut of Rebel Moon on Netflix, and as expected, the two parts, totalling nearly six hours, offer a story far superior to the original two movies.
While retaining the core of the first films, this version is significantly better, presenting a different tone and pace.
Expanded world
For sci-fi fantasy enthusiasts, this movie is a gem. Zack Snyder has always cited Star Wars and Heavy Metal comics as inspirations, and while the first movies leaned more toward Star Wars, this version feels more like Heavy Metal.
The additional scenes clarify aspects that were vague in the first movie, such as the lore of the universe and politics that lead to the events of the movie.
With the added scenes, the characters have more depth, and I found myself caring more for them than in the first film.
Jimmy
Jimmy was my favourite character in the first two movies, and I’m thrilled they expanded his role, not in the action scenes but rather by exploring his arc as protector of the Royals of the MotherWorld and part of the “Mechanicas Militarium.”
The film takes a more introspective and philosophical approach to his journey, leading to some profound moments. Anthony Hopkins did a fantastic job, and I hope we see a standalone Jimmy movie in the future.
An R-Rated experience
From the opening, this version makes it clear it’s R-rated. If you were disappointed by the tameness of the first two films, this one delivers.
There are splattering blood, exploding heads in slow motion, and sex scenes that run long than I expected.
The R rating is well-earned, and surprisingly, it adds depth to the characters (especially Kora) and makes the action scenes more impactful with the gore and blood.
Improved villains
The added scenes make you truly despise the MotherWorld and the primary antagonist. The opening scene vividly depicts the terror of the universe under the Mother World, something the PG-13 versions couldn’t fully capture due to their brutality.
The director’s cut comes with two titles: Chapter One: Chalice of Blood and Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness.
