Rebel One: Part One - A Child of Fire
(C- or 1.5/4 stars)
'Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire' is a sci-fi fantasy epic from director Zack Snyder (300, Man of Steel). After a galactic rebellion leaves the benevolent royal family of the Motherworld slaughtered, no part of the universe is safe; this includes the residents of the peaceful farming colony on the edge of the galaxy called Veldt. When vile commander Noble (Ed Skrein) & a fleet of soldiers from a tyrannical galactic ruling force lands in Veldt to make demands on its unsuspecting inhabitants, Kora (Sofia Boutella), an enigmatic stranger living with the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival; as she is hiding her warrior past. Yes, Kora decides to run again; rather than stay & fight. But one particular incident forces her to change her mind.
And so, she & fellow villager Gunnar (Michiel Huisman, of The Age of Adaline) set-off across multiple planets to gather a band of ally rebels & warriors in an attempt to save their beloved Veldt. All seeking their own personal redemptions & vengeance, these outsider rebels include: gunman, Kai (Charlie Hunnam), General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), Prince Tarak (Staz Nair), swordswoman Nemesis (Doona Bae), & resistance fighters Darrius Bloodaxe & Milius (Ray Fisher, E. Duffy). Dull drama & poorly orchestrated chaos ensues as they tries to save the galaxy while taking down the Motherworld forces.
This 1st of 2 planned entries in a new franchise for Netflix makes for a so-so, but overwhelmingly disappointing visual spectacle, with characters & plot scenarios that are taken straight from the carcasses of more distinguished space sagas of old {i.e., the Star Wars universe} -- that this story has been in production for many years makes that all the more frustrating. 'Rebel Moon ...' offers some impressive action sequences, costumes, make-up, et al ... but it all feels like empty pleasures when there's no narrative meat or emotional impact beneath the shiny veneer -- the story lacks soul. Much of the CGI effects also come across too video game-y, as well; replete with a sensory assault of pixelations, macho soldiers posturing & slow-mo fighting. Blech.
The cast - which inexplicably contains Anthony Hopkins as narrator - is left trying to bring life to bland characters. Overall, this movie does not provide enough of a singular experience; it all feels too familiar, derivative & devoid of creativity to get jazzed up about. It's a silly, yet self-serious bombastic bore. And when the run time already exceeds 130 minutes - with Part Two to come - the humdrum of it all makes you feel like saying: 'is there ANYTHING to get invested in, here!?' Many critics are saying that this film is atrocious. I wouldn't go THAT far. It's a watchable mess with entertaining stretches, but the cumulative effect is more & more eye roll worthy as it goes and, I was left not eager to see Part Two next year.
And so, she & fellow villager Gunnar (Michiel Huisman, of The Age of Adaline) set-off across multiple planets to gather a band of ally rebels & warriors in an attempt to save their beloved Veldt. All seeking their own personal redemptions & vengeance, these outsider rebels include: gunman, Kai (Charlie Hunnam), General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), Prince Tarak (Staz Nair), swordswoman Nemesis (Doona Bae), & resistance fighters Darrius Bloodaxe & Milius (Ray Fisher, E. Duffy). Dull drama & poorly orchestrated chaos ensues as they tries to save the galaxy while taking down the Motherworld forces.
This 1st of 2 planned entries in a new franchise for Netflix makes for a so-so, but overwhelmingly disappointing visual spectacle, with characters & plot scenarios that are taken straight from the carcasses of more distinguished space sagas of old {i.e., the Star Wars universe} -- that this story has been in production for many years makes that all the more frustrating. 'Rebel Moon ...' offers some impressive action sequences, costumes, make-up, et al ... but it all feels like empty pleasures when there's no narrative meat or emotional impact beneath the shiny veneer -- the story lacks soul. Much of the CGI effects also come across too video game-y, as well; replete with a sensory assault of pixelations, macho soldiers posturing & slow-mo fighting. Blech.
The cast - which inexplicably contains Anthony Hopkins as narrator - is left trying to bring life to bland characters. Overall, this movie does not provide enough of a singular experience; it all feels too familiar, derivative & devoid of creativity to get jazzed up about. It's a silly, yet self-serious bombastic bore. And when the run time already exceeds 130 minutes - with Part Two to come - the humdrum of it all makes you feel like saying: 'is there ANYTHING to get invested in, here!?' Many critics are saying that this film is atrocious. I wouldn't go THAT far. It's a watchable mess with entertaining stretches, but the cumulative effect is more & more eye roll worthy as it goes and, I was left not eager to see Part Two next year.