Moon

Overall Score: 82

Director: Duncan Jones

Run Time: 97 mins

Rating: R

Viewer Bias: 9

Moon was not a widely released nor widely publicized film despite it's raved reviews during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. It's not that it's too much or an arty film or that it was low budget or perhaps that it was too intellectual (then again, compared to Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, maybe I'm wrong) so I don't know why it was never shot into the stratosphere. Given the solitary space theme and a monotone robot ally in GERTY, I was expecting something similar to Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, but the resemblance ends there. Moon is flat out a great film, that is well acted and includes an incredibly intriguing and engaging plot. I'm my opinion it bests The Hurt Locker.


Direction: 9

Moon is wonderfully directed. The subtle pacing is certainly not too slow, but slow enough for the audience to savor each scene while taking a moment to wonder what's going on. Perhaps secrets in the film's story were revealed too early in the film, but that also gave it an already unique story a different structure. Sam Rockwell does a superb job carrying the entire film on his shoulders, yet the film never feels stale. A truly excellent direction showcase that flew under the radar.


Editing: 7

A few awkward scenes here and there create a few leaks in an otherwise flawless craft including a just plain cheesy CGI shot of an ejection pod from the lunar base. However, the film's quick editing make Rockwell's duplicated presence feel natural and completely believable.


Acting: 10

The entire film is carried by Sam Rockwell and this is the role of his career. One could hardly considered a bit-part by Dominique McElligott a co-staring role - and the next best bet is Kevin Spacey as the voice for the HAL 9000-esque GERTY - so Sam Rockwell is it. In Parent Trap style, Rockwell plays two very different roles as the same character at the same time and even finds himself in a tussle with...himself. Fantastic acting in a fantastic role and it's a shame he didn't receive any Oscar nods.


Writing: 6

There's nothing too outstanding in a film that resorts to the occasional flurry of profanity, then again it can add to the film's realism as well. Nevertheless, the film's dialogue left something to be desired and didn't necessarily inspire paradigm-shifting though that highlights the film's larger theme which may be way Moon was passed over come Oscar time.


Story: 9

It seems simple enough, you have a three-year contract to live on the Moon (alone) harvesting the Sun's energy and sending it to Earth until you eventually find yourself. Sure, everyone knows being alone and space can make you a little crazy, but a flat out copy of yourself is a bit of a stretch. A slow beginning, yet sudden obscurity of a seemingly normal existence makes Moon a film that is only restricted by the novelty of its plot. It may easily fade into a tandem of psychological, science-fiction quasi-independant films, but it is an amazing ride the first time through and does include an interesting and subtle critic of the abuse of corporate management of employees viewed as tools. You could easily make a sociological connection there.


Cinematography: 8

I was shocked at how interesting Moon's cinematography was. Actually, the film's closest relation to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Great use of color coupled with some surprisingly vivid special effects make the overall look of Moon its biggest surprise.


Special Effects: 8

For a science-fiction, psychological space film, Moon hardly leans on any of its special effects. However, scenes involving the Rockwell's moon-crafts are clean and well imagined. As mentioned earlier, however, there are a few moments early in the film when the CGI doesn't feel quite right.


Music: 9

The music behind Moon helps to blend the experience together. The serene, yet haunting piano scores are just enough compel a bit of intrigue into every scene. In this case, the score complied by Clint Mansell added another level to an already stellar presentation.


Wow Factor: 7

Ironically the initial wow factor of the film may end up hurting the film in the future. Similar to The Sixth Sense or Memento, I see Moon as a film that may lose a little of its poignancy in successive viewings.

FILM - 82