I have to preview this film here if for no other reason than the novelty of the post title, but it really is an intriguing little sci-fi thriller. The first feature by Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie), Moon stars his buddy Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell, a lone helium miner finishing a three year contract on the lunar surface. As he prepares to return to earth he suffers an accident in a lunar rover that reveals something rather odd about his situation in relation to the others who have come before him. The mystery isn't as hidden as I'm making it out to be, but know that eventually there are two Sam Bells living in the lunar base and that it's an untenable situation.Moon had a single showing at MSPIFF last night and Duncan Jones charmingly answered questions afterward (except for dodging one about his age - he's 37 going on 21). Highlights included his explanation of how he was able to direct one actor in two roles and how he used lots of miniatures for the lunar surface instead of exclusively using CGI. The result looks great - Rockwell delivers an amazing performance when you consider that he's the only actor on screen, and the visual effects are terrific for the tiny budget Jones had at his disposal (he boasted that at $5 million, it was only a tenth of Danny Boyle's budget for Sunshine, which I found flawed but ultimately a better film). Really my biggest complaint is the dialogue, which was not written by Jones and was half-improvised by Rockwell, for whom Jones specifically designed the story. Kevin Spacey plays what Jones joked is a "benign Hal" character, but even that device isn't used effectively. For the meaty potential this story I'd have hoped for some deeper meanings or more interesting monologues.
In any event, I still recommend sci-fi fans check out Moon when it opens this June. Check out the trailer and hear the instantly classic original score by Clint Mansell, composer for Darren Aronofsky's films (memorably Requiem for Dream and The Fountain).
Come back for more thoughts and join the conversation when Moon opens in Minneapolis on June 26th. It will hopefully stir some interesting debates (Jim Brunzell wasn't high on it after seeing it at Sundance but Erik McClanahan enjoyed it a bit more) about the sci-fi genre, especially in the shadow of the upcoming monster that is Star Trek.
Indeed Daniel, I am most intrigued by MOON here, especially since I am a big science-fiction fan, and i adore teh composer Clint Mansell, whose piercingly-beautiful score for Aronofsky's THE FOUNTAIN is the greatest in many a year. Yes, the impending STAR TREK opening heightens teh interest here. Good trailer.
ReplyDeleteIt starts out with a bang, Sam - Mansell's score over an extended and really great opening credit sequence. This is the score of the year for me so far. I couldn't get it out of my head and have watched the trailer repeatedly just to hear it.
ReplyDeleteWhat you'll think of the execution of the story, well it's hard to say. I went into this a little wary and I wanted it to really earn my respect. In most ways it did, but that heart of any film - the writing - just missed it for me.
Hey, Daniel:
ReplyDeleteI posted the trailer for this a couple of weeks ago. I thought it looks like a cross between "2001," "Silent Running" and from the mining angle, perhaps, "Outland." Still, from your review, it looks intriguing, certainly a break from the high-fat diet that's going to be thrust upon us in a few days.
Don't listen to Daniel, he's insane. This is the best movie of the year. No deeper manings? Did you somehow gloss over the religious themes strewn throughout the film? The Mooon is ___!
ReplyDeleteI remember that, Rick (and Matt, you posted it, too), but I avoided everything about this one until I saw it. The "2001" connection is probably the most obvious to casual fans, but wouldn't you know that Jones referenced Silent Running, Outland, and Capricorn One in the Q & A, as well as some Cronenberg movie. He made no effort to hid those influences. And yeah, as a mid-summer sci-fi thriller it should get the same attention Sunshine did a couple summers ago. It will at the very least be more original than the summer blockbusters.
ReplyDeleteMe, insane? You're declaring BMotY in April!
Yeah I must have missed the religious themes trying to get "Walking on Sunshine" out of my head. Really didn't like that scene. But hey, don't accuse me of not liking this - the music, acting, production were all outstanding. Maybe I'll watch it again this summer to hear the score again, and maybe, just maybe the deeper stuff will come out for me.
I agree that the writing was lacking in parts, and especially the very last very stupid words you hear broadcast over an otherwise beautiful and possibly moving space scene.
ReplyDeleteOverall though I really enjoyed this film. Visually I thought it was truly excellent, and I liked hearing Jones explaining his efforts during the Q & A. I would like to see it again for the music and just for the experience. For a niche of sci-fi that is seemingly overcrowded, I found this to definitely be a refreshing new entry.
I challenge you to name a better movie out so far this year. Plus besides District 9, 9, Where the Wild Things Are and The Road, I think this stands a good shot at ranking very high, if not atop, my year end list.
ReplyDeleteAs for the religious themes, once I realized early on that the mining droids had very specific religious names I knew to pay attention for the devil in the details. They are beautifully subtle, but they are there.
Yeah, Josh, the last words on the radio really didn't fit with the comedic tone of the rest of it. Though it does seem like something Jones would have added in there. He seemed like a kind of wacky guy, what with the space suit and everything.
ReplyDeleteMatt, what's considered a 2009 is kind of questionable in light of all the MSPIFF films I just saw, but I would say The Song of Sparrows, Food Inc. and Sin Nombre would be high on my 2009 list. Those three couldn't be more different from each other or from Moon, though. I'll grant you that Moon will very likely be my favorite sci-fi movie of the year after Avatar (which I hope will be mind-blowing).
Can't say I remember the names of the mining droids, so nice pickup on that one. Like Josh, I would definitely watch this movie again, and maybe I'll find the deeper stuff there. I guess I was just looking for a philosophical monologue or voice-over to hang my hat on. ;-P
Damn - Matt already mentioned District 9. The PR bugs have been out in full force over the last couple weeks for that (or maybe my eyes were closed previously), but that's shot to number one on my most anticipated list.
ReplyDeleteMoon certainly does look interesting, though. Kinda seems like it might be a little sleepy ala Solaris, maybe? I never saw that, but it's certainly the vibe I'm getting.
So is District 9 a Halo movie or what? I've never played the game, but everything I see about the movie references it. If it's not too video gamey, it definitely sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteUgh, Solaris. There's a reason that's rarely discussed in Soderbergh's or Clooney's filmographies. I highly prefer Moon. And I haven't seen the original Solaris.
I saw a reference to Halo as well, but not being a gamer, I have no idea. All I know is that it's produced by Jackson and the trailer felt reminiscent of Code 46 (which, if you like it at all, should be an UMOTM at some point...). I love the doc feel to it, and the shot of the massive district is impressive.
ReplyDeleteHmm, Code 46 came and went without me seeing it. Sounds like a good candidate since you never hear about it, though. At least I don't.
ReplyDeleteDistrict 9 isn't a video game film at all. The Halo references are due to Blomkamp being the director slated by Peter Jackson to Direct the Halo film before it was shelved.
ReplyDeleteDistrict 9 is a sci-fi film about aliens that are stranded on Earth and are forced into slums in South Africa where the human populations resent them and simply wish they never showed up. Its more then a subtle knock against apartheid. Plus the trailer is freaking amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSgLOvH_MMk
Ahh, OK. So people are confused, thinking this is Blomkamp's Halo film, when that isn't actually happening.
ReplyDeleteWell your description sounds pretty outstanding, assuming it will be done well. You know I won't watch the freaking amazing trailer, but now this movie is absolutely on my watch list. I see you just previewed it at your place as well.
Its just a teaser and reveals the bare minimum of details. Seriously, you should watch it.
ReplyDeleteAlright, alright, maybe I will if it's a responsibly reserved teaser - and only if it's in HD.
ReplyDelete