When the first film of Zack Synder’sRebel Moonsaga was released on Netflix in December 2023,it was met with general contempt from both critics and audiences. When the second film arrived on the platform in April 2024, it unfortunatelyreceived the same response. Because Snyder had essentially been given free rein from Netflix to manifest his space opera to the fullest extent, fans were hopeful that a Snyder classic was on the horizon.
However, their dreams were quickly dashed once the films debuted. Confusion then set in when it was announced a director’s cut for each film would be released to showcase Snyder’s “true vision” for the movies. Seeing as Netflix gave him the necessary space to create exactly what he wanted,a director’s cut of the films seemed redundant and unnecessary. Because Snyder had been in control ofRebel Moon’sfirst iteration, this clearly was not aJustice Leaguesituation.
Nonetheless, viewers were hopeful that Snyder’s director’s cuts would solve some of the critiques many had the first time around. True to form, the newest films are substantially longer than their predecessors. Already lengthy, the initial movies are 136 and 123 minutes, while the director’s cuts clock in at an astounding 204 minutes and 173 minutes. Each film also has a different subtitle. OriginallyPart One: A Child of Fire, the director’s cut is nowChapter One: Chalice of Blood,whilePart Two: The ScargiverbecameChapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness.While the overarching narrative of the films remains the same, there are some major differences between the firstRebel Moonfilms and Snyder’s director’s cuts, drastically improving the audience’s viewing experience, even if the movies are far from perfect.
Rebel Moon’s Director’s Cuts Are Bloodier and More Brutal
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From the momentChalice of Bloodbegins, it’s evident the director’s cuts contain moreblood and are substantially more brutalthan the originals. Rather than open with a narrator telling viewers about the Motherworld’s violence, audiences witness for themselves the level of destruction Admiral Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein) inflicts on entire worlds in the name of General Balisarius (Fra Fee) and the slain king (Cary Elwes). Vastly more violent, albeit more compelling, viewers watch in horror as Noble forces a son to kill his own father in front of his mother and sisters before carting him away to serve as a soldier in the Motherworld’s army.
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Already a Nazi-like character the first time around,Noble manages to up the ante as he bashes the head of Sindri(Corey Stoll) and all others who oppose him or the Motherworld in the most horrific fashion. In fact, such scenes were apparently much worse and were actually toned down for Snyder’s director’s cuts. Until recently,Chalice of BloodandCurse of Forgivenesswererated NC-17, which Netflix refused to accept. As a result,Snyder was forced to adjust the extent of the film’s violence. Given the level of CGI blood splattered throughout the newest cuts, as well as the heavier, more violent tone, it’s hard to believe there was anything more brutal on the cutting room floor.
Nonetheless, the director’s cuts aren’t for the faint of heart. Seeing asthey’re vastly more brutal than their PG-13 counterparts, the amped-up gore and bloodshed aren’t for everyone. However, given the ambitious and epic narrative Synder aims to convey, thegruesomeness of the fight scenesmakes them better. That isn’t to say films need blood to be better; it’s simply that something likeRebel Moondoesn’t seem as epic or important without the blood and gore that such a monumental type of story calls for.
Rebel Moon’s Director’s Cuts Have Better Character Development
Along with more violence and CGI blood,Chalice of BloodandCurse of Forgivenesshave better character development, which was substantially lacking in the original films.The director’s cutsallow for a better understating of the main characters’ backgrounds, which allows audiences to care about Kora (Sofia Boutella) and the others she rallies to the cause on Veldt. With more intimate scenes, albeit seemingly gratuitous at times, and more subtle interactions between characters like Kora and Gunnar (Michiel Huisman), the newest films simply make more sense.
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Given the extent of the world Snyder hoped to portray onscreen, the concept ofRebel Moonarguably should have been a Netflix series rather than two films. Nevertheless, the director’s cuts do a much better job of providing space for its characters to grow and flourish. For those who watched the original cuts,the director’s cuts provide clarity for many scenes that felt off or didn’t make sense the first time around. Unfortunately,Chalice of BloodandCurse of Forgivenessstill have many of the same problems viewers had with the original cuts. That said, they successfully fill in enough gaps and make fora better viewing experiencethan their predecessors.
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Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire
Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver
Rebel Moon: Chapter One - Chalice of Blood
Rebel Moon: Chapter Two - Curse of Forgiveness
Despite how much betterChalice of BloodandCurse of Forgivenessmay be when compared to the initial films, the overall narrative remains the same. While the many additions in Snyder’s director’s cuts make the movies more comprehensible, the major differences don’t necessarily make up forRebel Moon’s original criticisms. Instead, they prove the director’s cuts should have been the original releases all along.All fourRebel Moonfilms are currently streaming onNetflix.
