Zack Snyder’s upcoming Netflix release, Rebel Moon, was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated movies of 2023. Now, the film has become one of the biggest critical disappointments of this year. It will arrive on the streaming platform on December 21 (December 22 at 8.30 AM for Indian viewers).
It seems like Netflix has already entered into the ‘damage control’ mode for Rebel Moon. The film earned a ‘rotten’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its last score was 17% (based on 24 reviews) until it got pulled down. Netflix obviously has to do something with it, as it had high hopes with ‘A Child of Fire’. The streaming platform invested heavily in the film’s production and promotion due to its successful history with fantasy and sci-fi projects. It also must have taken into consideration the director’s gigantic fanbase.
This awful scenario certainly puts the release of ‘Part Two: The Scargiver’, which is scheduled to come out on Netflix on April 19, 2024, into jeopardy. It has now become a near-impossible task for the streaming service to justify the sequel’s existence after the latest critical bombarding of Part One.
The majority of the early critical reactions have lamented Snyder’s Rebel Moon. Many have criticised the acting performances of the cast members, dull characterisations, and unwanted slo-mo sequences in the film. Check out some of the reactions below!
Brandon Davis from ComicBook:
I wanted to love #RebelMoon and *parts* of it I did, especially the end.
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) December 14, 2023
It spends so much time assembling the team so getting to know the characters more in the extended cut will probably enhance it. It’s big on style but the ambitious story could’ve been better delivered. pic.twitter.com/e8LrzMaz3e
Eric Italiano from Brobible:
#RebelMoon is the first movie I’ve walked out of in a long, long time
— Eric Ital (@eric_ital) December 14, 2023
a stunning dearth of drama, aggressive over-direction, and bad acting throughout
an absolute buffet for Zack Snyder haters pic.twitter.com/OyDbfUValI
Matt Neglia from Next Best Pictures:
REBEL MOON - PART ONE: A CHILD OF FIRE should’ve aligned with my predilection for epic storytelling but left me feeling detached. Zack Snyder’s clunky execution makes even the most basic drama feel tedious. Derivative sci-fi with unimpressive slow-mo action & dull characters. pic.twitter.com/nLPvPneG0P
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) December 14, 2023
Joseph Deckelmeier from Screen Rant:
I loved the action in #RebelMoon and this brilliant international cast, but I wish we spent more time with the rebel recruits. Zack Snyder’s director’s cut is the version I want. pic.twitter.com/EfjkAGypRq
— Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) December 14, 2023