W
What does it signify that Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon currently holds the top spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list? Is it simply a reflection of the platform’s viewership’s willingness to watch anything? After all, this is the same streaming service that granted Adam Sandler, the actor-producer responsible for films like Jack and Jill, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and Grown Ups 2, a multi-movie contract back in 2014. One of the movies that resulted from this deal was the abysmal 2015 film The Ridiculous 6, which earned a dismal 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it was undeniably popular – perhaps the creators simply have a keen understanding of their target audience.
I want to mention that there is a lot of great content available on Netflix. The platform seems to prioritize films that are easily watchable, whether it’s just once or multiple times, and can be shared with friends and become a part of their cultural identity for years to come. This may be why Snyder’s work is appealing to them.
Since the release of Watchmen in 2009, the reception from critics has been consistently negative. Despite making over $800 million worldwide, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) was heavily criticized for being overly hyped, poorly executed, and excessively violent. Many reviewers felt that the film failed to understand the world of superheroes and, more importantly, the character of Batman.
The film Sucker Punch (2011) was criticized for prioritizing style over substance. Similarly, Man of Steel (2013) and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole received lackluster responses. Despite receiving negative reviews, Snyder’s latest project, Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire, released a trailer for its sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, which is set to debut in April.
Snyder has somehow managed to gain a devoted following on social media, despite the failure of the DC extended universe. This is advantageous for Netflix, as they constantly require fresh content to keep subscribers engaged, whether it’s award-worthy or just entertainment like Selling Sunset. Is Snyder now immune to criticism, similar to Sandler?
Only a handful of directors are able to withstand negative reviews for multiple films, but there is one exception who, aside from a surprisingly well-received Justice League director’s cut, has not received critical acclaim for over ten years. Despite this, he continues to thrive. Rebel Moon, while visually stunning and costly, is essentially a copycat of Star Wars without any real substance. However, there is a strong possibility that with the support of Netflix, Snyder’s dream of creating a large-scale space franchise to rival George Lucas’s creation may come true.
Even more interestingly, Christopher Nolan recently proposed that his former partner (on Man of Steel) should be acknowledged as a significant influence on superhero films.
According to The Atlantic, director Zack Snyder is often criticized but also highly influential in modern superhero science-fiction films. In his work, Snyder showcases his passion for the possibilities of cinema – creating fantastical and heightened realities that can move and excite audiences.
Snyder has shown his ability to create visually stunning transitions, such as the impressive extended opening sequence in Watchmen, the intense slow-motion depiction of Batman’s parents’ death in Dawn of Justice, and the mind-blowing cosmic wonder of the early scenes on Krypton in Man of Steel. However, while Nolan may believe that these moments are enough to elevate Snyder to legendary status in the world of comic book movies, one must respectfully wonder if the esteemed director of the Dark Knight trilogy has set particularly high standards for the genre in 2023.
Still, numbers do the talking and the numbers say that everyone is watching Rebel Moon. If Nolan and 24 million Netflix viewers can’t be wrong, it looks as if we should prime ourselves for plenty more neo-Jedi, ersatz lightsaber adventures across the cosmos for years to come. Perhaps, by the law of averages, if Snyder keeps making these things he will eventually deliver a good one. And if not, well that’s the thing about streaming, there’s always something else to watch.
Source: theguardian.com
