Film Review: "Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire" (2023).

"There are no heroes. Only rebels" in Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire. This epic space opera film directed by Zack Snyder, and written by Snyder, Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten. After crash landing on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe, Kora, a stranger with a mysterious past, begins a new life among a peaceful settlement of farmers. But she soon becomes their only hope for survival when the tyrannical Regent Balisarius and his cruel emissary, Admiral Noble, discover the farmers have unwittingly sold their crops to the Bloodaxes — leaders of a fierce group of insurgents hunted by the Motherworld. Tasked with finding fighters who would risk their lives to defend the people of Veldt, Kora and Gunnar, a tenderhearted farmer naive in the realities of war, journey to different worlds in search of the Bloodaxes, and assemble a small band of warriors who share a common need for redemption along the way: Kai, a pilot and gun for hire; General Titus, a legendary commander; Nemesis, a master swordswoman; Tarak, a captive with a regal past; and Milius, a resistance fighter. Back on Veldt, Jimmy, an ancient mechanized protector hiding in the wings, awakens with a new purpose. But the newly formed revolutionaries must learn to trust each other and fight as one before the armies of the Motherworld come to destroy them all.

Inspired by Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954), the project began development as a Star Wars film that Snyder had pitched to Lucasfilm, shortly after the sale of Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company in 2012. Snyder also pitched the idea as both a video game and a film to Warner Bros. Pictures. The project was later redeveloped by producer Eric Newman and Snyder, first as an original television series, before settling on a film by Netflix. By late April 2022, Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Charlie Hunnam, Anthony Hopkins, Staz Nair, Fra Fee, Cleopatra Coleman, Stuart Martin, Cary Elwes, Jena Malone, Corey Stoll, and Ray Porter were cast. Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman and Anthony Daniels were considered before Hopkins was ultimately cast. Rupert Friend was originally cast, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, and Fee was ultimately cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early November. Filming took place throughout California, to tap into $83 million in qualified spending and tax incentives. In January 2023, it was revealed that Tom Holkenborg was hired to compose the film's score. In late August, it was confirmed that the first and second parts of Rebel Moon would be subtitled Part One: A Child of Fire and Part Two: The Scargiver, respectively.

Boutella and cast proves that they really are much more than a visually pleasing and imposing figures.

With his distinct, divisive filmmaking style completely unrestrained, for better or worst, Boutella and cast fight through the cliches, lack of character development, and excessive runtime to still offer plenty of excitement.

Simon says Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire receives:

Also, see my review for Army of the Dead.