We finally got director Zack Snyder’s cut of Rebel Moon on Netflix, and as expected, the two parts, each running about six hours long, deliver a story that is far superior to the original films.
While maintaining the essence of the first films, this version is much better, offering a different tone and pace.
The Expanded World
For sci-fi fans, this is a gem. Zack Snyder has long cited Star Wars and the Heavy Metal comics as inspiration, and while the earlier films leaned more toward Star Wars, this version feels more like Heavy Metal.
The additional scenes clarify aspects that were obscure in the first film, such as the lore of the universe and the politics that led to the events of the film.
With the added scenes, the characters became more fleshed out, and I found myself caring about them more than in the first movie.
Jimmy
Jamie was my favorite character in the first two movies, and I’m glad they expanded his role, not in action scenes but by exploring his arc as a protector of the royal family on MotherWorld and as part of the “Mechanica Militarium.”
The film takes his journey in a more contemplative and philosophical way, leading to some profound moments. Anthony Hopkins did a great job, and I hope we see a standalone film for Jamie in the future.
Rated R Experience
From the start, it’s clear that this is an R-rated release. If you were disappointed by the quietness of the first two films, this one will do the trick.
There’s blood splattered, slow-motion exploding heads, and longer sex scenes than I expected.
The R rating is well-deserved, and surprisingly it adds depth to the characters (especially Korra) and makes the action scenes more impactful with blood and gore.
Improve the villains
The added scenes make you really hate Mother World and the main antagonist. The opening scene clearly depicts the horror that reigns in the universe beneath Mother World, something that the PG-13 versions couldn’t fully capture due to its brutality.
The director’s cut comes with two titles: Chapter One: The Cup of Blood and Chapter Two: The Curse of Forgiveness.