Netflix is releasing Zack Snyder’s new director’s cut — is it worth it?

Netflix is releasing Zack Snyder’s new director’s cut — is it worth it?

As a longtime fan of Zack Snyder’s visually stunning and emotionally charged storytelling, I was excited to delve into his new director’s cuts for “Rebel Moon: Chalice of Blood” and “Rebel Moon: Curse of Forgiveness.” Having followed Snyder’s career since his breakout success with “300,” I’ve come to appreciate his unique blend of grandiose action, intricate world-building, and human connections.


Have you heard about the new Zack Snyder director’s cut that was recently released? It could be interesting to give it a watch.

Based on my past experiences with Zack Snyder and the original versions of “Rebel Moon” parts 1 and 2, I am confident that the upcoming cuts of “Rebel Moon,” which will be available on Netflix from August 2, are likely to surpass the initial version significantly. Although I can’t speak from direct experience with the latest #SnyderCut of “Rebel Moon,” every one of Snyder’s director’s cuts so far has shown a remarkable enhancement over the original movie. Furthermore, it appears that “Rebel Moon” was specifically crafted by Zack Snyder for this particular moment in time.

Snyder is known for exploring large themes and intense emotions. A clear example can be seen in the initial scenes of “Man of Steel,” where Snyder portrays an icy Krypton as majestic and epic, accompanied by a lengthy action sequence emphasizing that Superman pales in comparison to his father. For his latest project, “Rebel Moon,” Snyder aimed to surpass himself. He has been nurturing the idea of “Rebel Moon” – a space-set spin on “The Dirty Dozen” and “Seven Samurai” – for over three decades. In an attempt to bring it to life as a Star Wars film, set prior to “A New Hope,” Snyder approached Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas. The origins of this project are evident in its development, making it a long-cherished dream that Snyder pursued even during his commercial directing days.

So it’s no surprise that he wanted to make this thing his way — and luckily, Netflix obliged him.

In his conversation with Tudum from Netflix, Snyder shared, “I get to explore so much more in the director’s cut. It’s like delving deeper into every detail. I’ve always been passionate about this aspect of filmmaking throughout my career. The term ‘director’s cut’ wasn’t something I easily obtained in the past, and it was often seen as an unwanted addition. However, with Netflix’s support, we specifically filmed extra scenes for the director’s cut, making this experience truly enlightening.”

Is this a trick, unveiling a film only to reveal another supposedly superior version later on? It could be! Given that various editions of the movie are accessible via Netflix at no additional cost, I have my doubts. This might merely reflect Zack Snyder’s approach of creating alternate cuts for himself and his audience. According to Vanity Fair’s exclusive sneak peek at Rebel Moon in June 2023, it appears that Netflix’s data analysis played a significant role in deciding on the initial release strategy for the film.

Initially, Rebel Moon was looking at a running time of around three hours, causing concern for Netflix’s film chief Scott Stuber. According to Deborah Snyder, his partner and long-time producer, Stuber commented, “On our platform, shorter movies under two hours tend to perform better.” However, Zack Snyder argued, “If you ask me to shorten this below two hours, I’ll lose all the character development. The audience won’t care about these people. It’s a story about characters changing, redemption, and what one is willing to fight for… So he proposed, ‘What if I give you two films instead?'”

Unfortunately for Netflix and their algorithm, the initial releases of “Rebel Moon” parts 1 and 2, titled “A Child of Fire” and “The Scarred One” respectively, have unfortunately validated Snyder’s concerns. Despite his distinctive flair, the two films come across as lacking depth. It’s debatable whether the absence of well-developed characters or engaging stories is palpable throughout the productions. As with most of Snyder’s works, there’s always a lot going on in each scene.

The story seems to have misplaced some essential elements as it progresses, with tantalizing plot threads drifting off course while the rebels assemble to confront an oppressive empire. The battle sequences lack cohesion and merge into one another, failing to build up to a grand climax. The transition between genres, from interstellar journey to war drama, feels abrupt and jarring, like a vehicle struggling to change gears smoothly. The overall mood is subdued, repetitive, despite the abundance of action unfolding.

1. Solution That New Director’s Edits Might Provide:

Netflix is releasing Zack Snyder’s new director’s cut — is it worth it?

I’ve always been drawn to Snyder’s stories for their deep exploration of human emotions, despite his reputation for grandiosity. In works like “A Child of Fire” and “Scargiver,” he attempts to delve into the weighty themes of redemption. However, when these stories are toned down to PG-13 ratings, they lose some of their impact. The restrictions on depictions of violence (war) and intimacy (sex) limit the story’s emotional depth. I’m excited for his upcoming releases, “Chalice of Blood” and “Curse of Forgiveness,” as they won’t be bound by such limitations, allowing Snyder to fully explore a wider range of emotions.

As a long-time fan of Zack Snyder’s work, I’ve eagerly anticipated each new addition to his DC Universe. However, I must confess that I was left feeling rather underwhelmed by “A Child of Fire” and “The Scarecrow,” two standalone films in the universe. Despite my deep appreciation for Snyder’s distinctive visual style and intriguing storylines, these movies seemed to lack the depth and cohesion I had grown accustomed to.

The movies will likely be lengthy, and they could end up being as predictable as their initial releases. However, having more time to develop the storyline makes them less constricted. With Zack Snyder at the helm, it’s intriguing to imagine what he’ll come up with when given full creative control. Even if additional 45 minutes of Charlie Hunnam’s challenging Scottish accent are added, that’s still acceptable.

On August 2nd, the director’s cut movies by Zack Snyder, titled “Rebel Moon: Chalice of Blood” and “Rebel Moon: Curse of Forgiveness“, will make their debut on Netflix.

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2024-07-30 19:19

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