Zack Snyder Understands the Demands of Space Opera

By Nate Parker | Film | November 13, 2023 |

By Nate Parker | Film | November 13, 2023 |

Say what you will about Zack Snyder’s intermittent success as a director, the man understands the demands of space opera. Not that they’re terribly difficult:

1. A long title, in this case Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.
2. A lopsided war against an oppressive authoritarian government with cartoonish villains.
3. Anachronistic weapons in a sci-fi universe.
4. A ragtag squad of charismatic anti-heroes with a range of inexplicably British accents.

What else could we ask for? And after several years of promises and production, it’s almost time for Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire to hit Netflix. Here’s the first full trailer:

Blasters, laser swords, spear charges against spaceships, and unnecessary slo-mo; everything a man with limited intelligence could ask for. Add in a cast jam-packed with stars like Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Jena Malone, Michiel Huisman, a jackbooted Ed Skrein, and a totally-jacked Djimon Hounsou, and you’re looking at several hours of space entertainment that borrow heavily from Star Wars, Dune, Space Sweepers, and every military sci-fi written by David Drake. The effects look great, and while I’d prefer to see Rebel Moon on a big screen, Netflix at least makes it easy to find. Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire brings the Christmas spirit into your home on December 22.