Film is Pwn

When considering the new science fiction movie Moon, one will immediately think of the Kubrick classic of 2001 A Space Odyssey, and for good reason. In Moon, an astronaut with only a computer to talk to, in this case Kevin Spacey as Gerty (think HAL without the evil). Sam Bell is our astronaut and his is a 3-year assignment to man Lunar Industries “mining bases” on the moon because in the not too distant future, the moon is the source of 70% of the world’s energy needs. His only contact with earth is taped feeds from his wife and daughter because apparently the live feed transmission towers have been broken for years and no one has fixed them. The movie begins with Sam’s last 2 weeks of his contract. I’ll leave the plot now because telling much more would be a spoiler in my opinion. 

What makes this movie great is Sam Rockwell’s outstanding performance. He is literally the only character on the screen for the entire movie and that’s a huge burden to take on, but Rockwell makes it seem effortless.

Secondly, the Sci Fi is good. Realistic good. I’ve read articles in the past couple of years about mining the moon for resources, so it’s not comic book sci fi. It’s real. The computers and equipment are dirty and obviously worn.  It’s dirty. Not the pristine white of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but what a real mining operation/ blue-collar job would be like.

Thirdly, the movie seems to roll along at pretty sedate pace, and before you realize it, you’re on the edge of your seat with tension. Much less “cerebral” than Kubrick’s movie which really leaves the viewer to make up his own mind about what the film is about, but probably too “cerebral” for mass audiences. Having said that, there is no ambiguity about the plot. There is a definite point being made here, and it doesn’t do it with a sledgehammer, but in a rather matter of fact way. And here’s some fun trivia: Duncan Jones, who directed Moon, is also David Bowie’s son. Sam Rockwell should be nominated for best actor for this movie. He deserves it!

‘4 out of 4 stars from this reviewer.

–Shannon Shoffner