Rebel Moon part two, The Scargiver (Mark Kermode scifi movie review).
Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, the latest addition to Zack Snyder’s sprawling space opera saga, where subtlety is thrown out the airlock and epic-ness is dialed up to eleven. If you thought the first part was a lot to handle, brace yourself for a sequel that doubles down on the explosions, melodrama, and a plot that’s as dense as a neutron star.
We return to the moon of Veldt, where Kora and her ragtag band of warriors continue their noble quest to save a bunch of farmers from the evil clutches of the Imperium. Yes, because nothing screams “epic space opera” like defending grain silos. This time around, the stakes are even higher—there’s a countdown, of course—and our heroes have to harvest the grain before the Imperium shows up to blow everything sky-high. Who knew farming could be so suspenseful?
Kora’s character development? Well, it seems she’s not just any rebel leader; she’s got a dark past, complete with royal assassinations and a string of betrayals. But don’t worry, she’s also found time for a romance with Gunnar, because what’s a cosmic battle without some moonlit snogging?
The plot thickens, or maybe congeals, as Kora and her merry band spend two days turning a bunch of pacifist farmers into a makeshift army. Think of it as The Seven Samurai in space, but with more CGI and fewer memorable characters. The plan is to fight the Imperium’s forces with everything from trenches to explosives—because who needs complex strategy when you’ve got a good old-fashioned ambush up your sleeve?
When the evil Atticus Noble (who was dead, but surprise—he’s back!) rolls in with his dreadnought, it’s time for the final showdown. Expect lots of pew-pew laser battles, heroic last stands, and a heavy dose of that Snyder signature slow-motion. And just when you think things can’t get more intense, they throw in a massive space explosion for good measure. Because subtlety, my friends, is for lesser filmmakers.
In the end, the village is half-destroyed, the grain (presumably) saved, and Kora’s past comes back to haunt her—oh, and there’s a twist involving a supposedly dead princess who might still be alive. Because if there’s one thing this saga needed, it’s more complicated backstory and unresolved cliffhangers.
The film ends with our surviving heroes vowing to continue their fight against the evil Motherworld and the dastardly Balisarius. The message is clear: there’s always room for more sequels. And with a director’s cut (or as it’s dramatically titled, Curse of Forgiveness) already on the way, you can bet Snyder’s going to milk this space cow for all it’s worth.
So, if you’re a fan of epic battles, heavy-handed symbolism, and plot twists that seem to multiply faster than Kora’s ever-growing list of enemies, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver is your ticket to two hours of bombastic, sci-fi indulgence. Just don’t expect it to make much sense—or to care if it doesn’t.
