Zack Snyder’s career as a director has been a rollercoaster of praise and criticism. While his films based on pre-existing concepts have generally been well-received, his original works have received mixed reviews. The recently released “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” is a prime example of this mixed reception.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, only one of Snyder’s original concept films, “Army of the Dead,” has a score above 50%. On the other hand, only two of his directorial efforts based on pre-existing concepts, “Justice League” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” have scores below 50%. However, it’s worth noting that “Justice League” was a directing credit technicality, and Snyder passed off post-production duties to Joss Whedon.
Zack Snyder directing Army of the Dead (Via IMDB)
Snyder is known for his visual flair and unique style, creating spectacular action scenes that set him apart in the industry. However, critics argue that his original films lack a cohesive storyline and character development. His focus on visual elements and darker tone create an impression of majestic, grand, and important films, but often falls short in terms of substance.
When Snyder works on a pre-existing concept, such as “Watchmen” or “Man of Steel,” many of the issues that plague his original films are eliminated. The backstory is already established, and the characters do not have to provide exposition to the same degree. This allows Snyder to focus on bringing something unique to the narrative, such as his flair for the visual.
While Snyder’s original concept films, such as “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver,” have their merits, they fall short in terms of storytelling and character development. On the other hand, his directorial efforts based on pre-existing concepts have proven to be more successful, as they provide a foundation for Snyder’s unique style to shine. A reined-in Snyder, playing to his strengths, can create a cinematic experience like no other.
