Key Takeaways:
– Zack Snyder is best known for his successful films 300 and Man of Steel.
– Snyder’s newest space opera, Rebel Moon, originally began as a Star Wars pitch.
– Rebel Moon, despite criticism, smartly avoids a prevalent but unconvincing disguise trope in Star Wars.
Zack Snyder, the acclaimed filmmaker known for spectacular hits like 300 and Man of Steel, recently branched into the realm of space opera with his latest Netflix offering, Rebel Moon. The film, which started as a proposal for a Star Wars movie, ultimately metamorphosed into a Netflix series. Interestingly, Rebel Moon tactfully sidesteps a Star Wars trope that has long attracted criticism.
A Familiar Trope Reimagined
Snyder’s directorial stint with Rebel Moon took a unique turn with the release of the director’s cut, particularly in relation to a recurring Star Wars trope that critics have bemoaned. Snyder managed to take a standard trick from the Star Wars playbook and flip it on its head.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder shared his thoughts on Star Wars’ habit of using disguises as a key plot device and how he deftly avoided it in Rebel Moon.
Injecting Credibility into the Deft Disguise
The scene that piqued the interest of viewers and critics alike is one where Kora, portrayed by Sofia Boutella, assumes the guise of an Imperium soldier. This ordeal cleverly mirrors, yet subtly subverts, the repeated trope in Star Wars where Jedis or Rebels disguise themselves.
Snyder explained, “I wanted it to be credible. Kora has great knowledge of protocol and they have these uniforms and a dropship.” His clear intention was to add a realistic layer to a scene, which otherwise, in the Star Wars universe, often lacks any believability.
Star Wars and The Puzzling Problem of Plausibility
Often, the Star Wars franchise has the rebels and Jedi donning the attire of Empire soldiers, and despite the high-tech milieu of their galaxy, they go undetected. This obviously raises questions about the plausibility and overuse of the disguise trope.
For instance, in The Last Jedi, Finn disguises himself as a Stormtrooper, which interestingly, was his former identity. The scene, rather absurdly, assumes that viewers won’t question the logistics of Finn’s disguise. Given the Star Wars universe’s advanced technology, the inability of the Empire to detect infiltrators is, frankly, nonsensical.
In contrast, Snyder provides a more nuanced and complex view of disguise in Rebel Moon. Kora, using her intimate knowledge of Imperium’s workings, makes the scene seem feasible and elevates its dramatic stakes.
Reinventing the Star Wars Legacy
While both Rebel Moon and Star Wars are visually stunning space epics, the way they handle the trope of disguise is markedly different. By assigning a credible backstory and logic to the act of disguise, Snyder’s Rebel Moon reframes the trope positively.
It’s evident that future films, even those within the Star Wars franchise, must learn from Snyder’s approach to retire the improbable disguise trope and instead opt for more realistic and convincing plot devices.
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon is now streaming on Netflix, and Star Wars movies are available on Disney+. It’s time to grab your popcorn and enjoy these thrilling space adventures while reflecting on their unique narrative choices.
