Article contributed by Byron Lafayette
Director Zack Snyder is a filmmaker who seems to be either loved or hated. Getting his start in music videos, he soon moved over to directing feature films, and made waves in Hollywood for his thrilling action sequences and imaginative visuals. One of the only blockbuster “auteur” Directors, every film he makes has his own unique stamp on it.
In December of 2023, Netflix will be releasing the first of a two-part science fiction epic titled Rebel Moon Directed, produced and written by Zack Snyder. Set in a dystopian universe, it follows a woman on a planet who is forced to fight an evil empire that has come to strip the planet of all its resources. She must take up arms and gather a team of mercenaries to fight for freedom and defeat the empire. The trailer that was released promised some cool action and sets, as well as the being “Full Snyder.”
Now if you are not familiar with his work, now is the perfect time to catch up, here are five Zack Snyder movies to watch before Rebel Moon releases.
5. Army of the Dead
Army of the Dead was Zack Snyder’s grand return to cinema after a long hiatus after tragedy struck his family. It tells the story of a group of mercenaries who are hired to break into a zombie overrun Las Vegas and rob a casino vault before the government nukes the city. Of course, things do not go as planned, and they soon discover they have been sent in for more than just gold and cash. It stars Dave Bautista, Garret Dillahunt, Ella Purnell and Tig Notaro. If you enjoy bloody action horror movies, that are filled with tension and drama, yet still have a strong focus on characters and family, Army of the Dead will be for you!
4. Watchmen
In 2009 Snyder released his adaptation of the iconic graphic novel by Alan Moore, set in an alternet 1985. Watchmen followed a disbanded team of superheroes as they investigated a murder of one of their own. Widely considered one of the most influential comics of all time, the source material was thought for many years to be unfilmable. Snyder’s version of the story starred Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Billy Crudup, and many others. It brings the comic to life in all its R-rated glory, with tons of blood, sex, and nudity, while controversial at the time of release. The film has gained a huge cult following and is included on many “Best Comicbook Films” lists.
3. Man of Steel
Man of Steel was Snyder and Christopher Nolan’s ambitious reintroduction of Superman to the world, it takes the washed-out and realistic look from The Dark Knight and mixes it with high-octane action. Its cast is very good, seeing the likes of Amy Adam’s, Kevin Costner, Henry Cavill, and Michael Shannon. It’s not the Superman everyone expected but it really helped to showcase that Clark is not only a man, but a god as well.
2. 300
The film that put Zack Snyder on the map, 300 is the loosely told true story of the 300 Spartans who fought the Persian invasion of Greece. It stars Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, and Michael Fasbender, it’s an epic action film with insane set pieces and now iconic one-liners. The film is also well known for being one of the first to be entirely CGI besides the actors. It’s filled with cool action scenes, blood, gore, and heroic speeches. It’s a celebration of freedom from tyranny and a perfect Saturday night movie!
1. Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Arguably Zack Snyder’s magnum opus, the director cut of 2017’s Justice League is a totally different movie than what the studio released in theatres. Bright to life by the largest fan campaign in Hollywood history its 2 hours longer, with close to a dozen new characters, the film is a glorious celebration of all things DC. It finishes the story started in Man of Steel and finally sees Clark Kent fully take on the mantel of Superman for the world, while also solidly showcasing DC Superheroes as today’s Greek Myths. Zack Snyder’s Justice League really feels like the culmination of Zack’s comic-book director career, it was also a landmark victory for artistic freedom and support for filmmakers being allowed to release their original visions.
