Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire, Mark Kermode’s scifi film review.

Our man of many movies, Mark Kermode, sits down to examine Netflix’s latest science fiction offering – the film Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire. Yes, there’s a part 2 incoming from Netflix, too.

“Rebel Moon,” the latest cinematic endeavor from Zack Snyder, where the only thing more expansive than the universe is the plot. It’s a space opera so grand in scale, it makes “Star Wars” look like a backyard puppet show. And with a title like “Rebel Moon,” you half expect a celestial body in skinny jeans and a leather jacket, smoking a cigarette and refusing to orbit on principle.

The film follows Kora, a former Imperium soldier turned galactic recruiter. Picture a sci-fi LinkedIn with more lasers and less spam. Kora’s mission? To assemble a ragtag team of warriors to face the Imperium, an army led by the dastardly Admiral Atticus Noble. Noble, played by Ed Skrein, chews scenery with the ferocity of a hungry Sarlacc, giving us a villain who could give Darth Vader a run for his money in the ‘Intergalactic Tyrant of the Year’ awards.

Then there’s Gunnar, the farmer with a heart of gold and a face by Michiel Huisman. He’s secretly in love with Kora, because what’s a space saga without a love triangle, or at the very least, some unresolved sexual tension? Add to the mix Doona Bae as Nemesis, a cyborg swordmaster who probably has more in common with your smartphone than you’d like to admit.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the negative reviews. Critics have panned it, but let’s be honest, when did we start watching Zack Snyder films for the subtlety and nuanced storytelling? We’re here for the spectacle, the grandiose battles, and the occasional existential crisis thrown in for good measure.

And speaking of grandiose, Anthony Hopkins voices Jimmy, the last of the mechanical knights. Because when you think of a mechanical knight, you naturally think of Hannibal Lecter’s soothing tones, right? Hopkins brings a Shakespearean gravitas to a character that, let’s face it, probably has more screws than lines.

The plot is a whirlwind of space jargon, epic battles, and personal vendettas. It’s like someone put “Game of Thrones,” “The Expanse,” and a soap opera in a blender and hit the ‘frappe’ button. There’s even a princess with healing powers because no space opera is complete without some mystical royal blood.

“Rebel Moon” sets up for its sequel, “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver,” with all the subtlety of a supernova. It promises more interstellar conflict, more star-crossed lovers, and hopefully, more mechanical knights with the voice of esteemed British actors. Rebel Moon is a cinematic rollercoaster, a space opera that’s more opera than space. It’s Snyder’s love letter to the genre, written in bold, capital letters, with a few explosions thrown in for good measure. It might not win an Oscar, but it’ll definitely win your heart, or at least entertain you while you’re scrolling through your phone. So, grab your popcorn, suspend your disbelief, and enjoy the ride through Zack Snyder’s galaxy. Just remember to leave your critic’s hat at the door – this is one moon that doesn’t care about your gravitational pull.