TL;DR – It is a visually impressive film that is narratively shallow, even though everyone is trying their best.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I paid for the Netflix service that viewed this film.

Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver Review –

I had an odd sensation as I sat down to watch this sequel, in that even though I had only watched the first film back in December, for my life, I could not remember anything that happened. It had evaporated into the ether, bar was Anthony Hopkins a robot? This meant I desperately needed that what happened last time the introduction that started the proceedings. But it did not fill me with confidence as I sat down to watch the follow-up.

So to set the scene, at the end of Rebel Moon, the plucky rebels had found and won a massive victory against The Motherworld. Kora (Sofia Boutella) and her group was able to return home to Veldt after killing Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein). But you see, you can never count The Motherland and its technology out. Because Noble is still alive, and now he has a more than personal reason to burn Veldt to the ground and the village has only five days to prepare.

This is a movie in which Zach’s personal style is writ large. I don’t think it is any surprise that Zack Snyder loves his slow motion. However, while he does overuse it, I have to admit there are moments when it works well, for example, during the harvest. It also means that we get moments taken to the next level like the in-situ string players going ham as the Royal Family was assassinated. We also get moments of visual icons, symbolism wrapped up in a frame. When it works, it works, but it is a bit hit-and-miss. Thankfully, this is all helped by a strong visual effects team.

There is a lot you have to have to put aside when watching this film, and the first is the timeframe. Five days is just not enough time to do everything they mention here, but if you ignore that and just lean into the montage, it goes a lot better. However, what you can’t put aside is the paper-thin narrative. There are these moments when you can feel the film and try to give their world and characters more depth, but it never comes together. Also, there is a fine line between having a homage and needing to put a ‘based on’ credit, and well, you really feel that Rebel Moon rides right up to that line and maybe pears over the edge.     

That being said, I did feel the actors were doing their best, and in one or two places, it did break through. Sofia Boutella is a compelling lead and character actor, and you can see some of that Star Trek Beyond joy here. Ed Skrein just gets to be a prick from start to finish, and while his character should have stayed dead in the last film, at least he is giving his all here. Also, look, it is never a bad idea to cast Anthony Hopkins in your movie, even if Dustin Ceithamer is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

In the end, do we recommend Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver? Well, I think it was a more robust entry than the first film, with the village location helping to tie it all together. Unfortunately, we still get a product that is more style than substance. If you liked Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, we would recommend to you Arrival.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Have you watched Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver
Directed by – Zack Snyder
Screenplay by – Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad & Shay Hatten
Story by – Zack Snyder
Music by – Tom Holkenborg
Cinematography by – Zack Snyder
Edited by – Dody Dorn
Production/Distribution Companies – The Stone Quarry, Grand Electric & Netflix
Starring – Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher & Anthony Hopkins with Staz Nair, Fra Fee, Cleopatra Coleman, Stuart Martin, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Alfonso Herrera, Cary Elwes, Rhian Rees, Elise Duffy, Sky Yang & Charlotte Maggi and Dustin Ceithamer, Stella Grace Fitzgerald, Josefine Lindegaard, Melissa Hunt, Sisse Marie, Thomas Öhrström, Thor Knai, Savanna Gann, Danielle Burgio, Julian Grant, Patrick Luwis, Tomm Voss, Christine Kellog-Darrin, Skylar Okerstrom-Lang, Caden Dragomer, Kayden Koshelev & Kingston Foster.
Rating – Australia: M;