Just as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) he started ends with the release ofAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Zack Snyder directs his attention towards a new saga. Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire attempts to create a world big enough to entertain audiences for years to come, and while the foundations for a solid science fiction franchise are there, the film also has room for improvement in pacing and worldbuilding. Netflix might have a gold mine on their hands, with this adventure leaving much to be desired without being disappointing enough to be tagged as a disaster.
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire follows Kora (Sofia Boutella), an action hero who protects the young Princess Issa (Stella Grace Fitzgerald) before she is forced to run away and hide. The first installment of Snyder’s saga only wastes a little bit of time explaining how the royal family died, focusing on Kora and the issues that haunt her instead. With the protagonist building a new life for herself while keeping a low profile in a small village, Kora has to jump back into action when the evil Imperium wants to take away the moon’s resources.
The main problem with Rebel Moon is the fact that it can’t develop an identity of its own. This movie has clearly seen Star Wars, and while it’s true the story was conceived for the first time while Snyder was in talks to helm a project for Lucasfilm, it can’t step out of the shadow of that universe. The filmmaker’s desire to include a craft similar to a TIE Fighter in the action sequences of this story can be felt through the screen. Still, even if the movie struggles to find a voice of its own, it’s structured in a way that makes it valuable for potential rewatches.
Snyder is clearly treating A Child of Fire and next year’s The Scargiver as a single narrative, carefully setting up puzzle pieces that will fall into place when the sequel is released. The fact that both movies were produced simultaneously helps this installment feel like a standalone adventure while setting the stage for the battle to come. It doesn’t sell the possibility of a franchise to the audience, but it does try to make viewers like Kora as much as possible so they stick around for the rest of the ride. And it does a good job thanks to Sofia Boutella’s performance.
Boutella was a fantastic choice to portray Kora, a complicated hero who wants to leave her past behind to fight for a better future. The entire galaxy is counting on her as she spends her time in A Child of Fire assembling a team of warriors who can take a stand against the Imperium. Boutella tries to make Kora stand out during her most vulnerable moments. Still, when the time comes to fight against the story’s antagonists, her fierce expressions and commanding physicality make the character an exciting protagonist to watch as she confronts her past.
The team recruitment is easy to digest because A Child of Fire has a significant action sequence dedicated to each of them, grabbing the standard recruitment procedure of a heist film and using it to drive the film’s action. While it would be easier to connect with the characters if they stuck together because they cared about each other instead of looking at their quest as a job, their chemistry is enough to make the movie a worthwhile experience. If the squadron failed to have any chemistry with one another, the film would’ve fallen into generic territory, but its narrative is saved by Kora learning to trust Kai (Charlie Hunnam).
With a decent villain portrayed by Ed Skrein, fascinating visuals by Snyder, and the promise of an impressive saga, Rebel Moon is a safe start to a potential new space opera. Snyder’s plan might not work if the quality of his tale doesn’t increase, but there’s enough enjoyment hidden within the subtle moments of A Child of Fire that could work if the execution in The Scargiver pays off. Regarding how it works as a standalone story, the first Rebel Moon film is an entertaining space adventure that will capture the imagination of Snyder’s most devoted fans while giving the general audience something acceptable to watch during the winter break.
Rating: 7.5/10