benzapp-1

This is the kind of heartwarming film that is just never made anymore. Things fall apart is a story told many times, surely. But this was a new take. Maybe the advertisements make it mostly about the kid with autism. But it's really more about the father, who experienced a tremendous fall from grace in part due to massive financial medical bills for his son - a clear indictment of our medical system - but also the sheer time required to care for a special needs child. The pacing of his decline and redemption was fabulous. I watched this film in an empty theater. I watched it simply because everything else was marvel comics, horror, trite romance, or a combination of the three. What is going on America?

This is probably the first series I've seen that somehow has presented feminine, sexy tough girls in a believable way. I don't feel like this is crazy diversity propaganda, but actually presents a military I'd like to see. The action sequences are entertaining, the interpersonal relationships - professional, military, sexual, romantic - are believable. The geopolitical issues in all their messy complexities are not only entertaining but authentic. One of the things I like about it the most is the primary cast is "gray". These are not perfect people, but they are doing their messy jobs as best they can. This is not a comic book military show. Nice work.

This film is not high art. The story is very simple and generally rehashing the poor peasant vs Nazi archetype. But where it excels is the incredible special effects and for those with strong stomachs - brutal gore. Compared to something like Star Wars, which spoke to people say already familiar with Nazis, Rebel Moon makes it very clear why the antagonists are the enemy. Frankly, I was shocked the first time I saw it, but saw the value after watching the directors' cut. There is a place for films like this, and it's valuable inclusion to the scifi library. It's worth a watch if you can stomach it.