Spoilers Rebel Moon similarities

[Rahul]

What I find surprisingly little mentioned is the stark similarities between Section 31 and Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'.

With Rebel Moon naturally being the more artistically coherent version (and I hate Zack Snyder's work!)

• The hero woman, formerly an enforcer of the fascist regime, starting out in hiding
• The ragtag bunch of misfits, with everyone being from a completely different genre of sci-fi, but of which only the boring "cool guy" actually gets a little characterisation and importance, and which conveniently includes one devious traitor for the middle act
• The junkyard Millennium falcon, a modernized Star Wars cantina scene, the quarry planet with little fire exhausts, the muddy brown tones everywhere, red blaster bolts, lots of close-quarters fistfight scenes
• The fascist leather aesthetics & phrases lifted directly from Warhammer 40k, "Mother of the fatherland" vs "protector of the motherland"
• the weird parental/lover relationship with the bad guy, the cringe catchphrase and swearing, the general adolescent edgy tone everything is going for

Biggest difference is IMO only the "Infinity Stone"-sized superweapon vs "the GRAIN" - which, you know, NEITHER are actually compelling plot threads...

Hell, what SHOULD have been the biggest difference - the parallel universe angle - got largely ignored in the plot except for the swirly drain home in space for the finale.

In general I never expected this to be a thrilling spy adventure - cool gadgets, intrigue & twists are really hard in a speculative setting where pretty much everything is possible - but even I am surprised how close the final result come to an already existing, biggest streaming sci-fi movie from the previous two years.

 

[DarKush]

I did get a Rebel Moon vibe a bit, I think it was because Georgiou's story reminded me of Kora's a bit. The ragtag lovable misfits reminded me more of Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad though. Suffice it to say, I thought Section 31 was better than all of Rebel Moon thus far. The characters were better developed, and the story was more cohesive.

 

[Citiprime]

Rebel Moon steals a little bit more directly from Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. Also, if I remember correctly, Rebel Moon originally started out as Zack Snyder's pitch for a Star Wars film that Kathleen Kennedy turned down.

I felt Section 31 uses Ocean's 11 more as a template. To me, it leans more into being a heist movie for a good part of the narrative.

Although, both Rebel Moon and Section 31 are centered on main characters trying to atone and find renewed purpose in their lives after opening up to others and becoming part of a new team.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I really liked Rebel Moon, although it wasn't a masterpiece I'd put it leagues ahead of Section 31. It had a story to tell, whereas S31 had a contractual obligation to fulfill.

 

[Phily B]

I don't remember a single thing about Rebel Moon after watching, so it shares that similarity.

 

[Char Kais]

• The junkyard Millennium falcon

Kai's freighter.

Similar shape and color palette.
Similar bridge design (cabin on top, with inward angled windows).

 

[Charles Phipps]

I got less Rebel Moon than Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy.

 

[Danja]

I did get a Rebel Moon vibe a bit, I think it was because Georgiou's story reminded me of Kora's a bit. The ragtag lovable misfits reminded me more of Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad though.

Michelle herself has described Section 31 as a cross between Trek and Guardians of the Galaxy.

 

[BillJ]

Rebel Moon? Georgiou’s backstory felt like it was ripped straight out of The Hunger Games.

 

[Tiran O'Saurus]

Rebel Moon? Georgiou’s backstory felt like it was ripped straight out of The Hunger Games.

Yeah, but without the fun part of Hunger Games in that you actually see them. We just get told "oh, the Terrans use this nonsensical YA plot device as a succession mechanism" without getting to see it. There was no reason she couldn't have inherited the position because her uncle was the Emperor and he died without children, so she has to kill her immediate family and take his place. San could just be some kid from her village that she liked.

 

[F. King Daniel]

You can 100% see someone in the planning stages going, "what if she became Emperor by winning the Hunger Games?" and them going, "yeah, let's go with that"