ALARIS' REVIEWS

5th May 2010
Moon (2009)

I saw the trailer for Moon some time ago, and thought the film looked quite eerie and intriguing, although the trailer gives away a great plot twist.

Moon is pretty much a one man, bottle film. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is the solitary crew member on a corporate, lunar mining base. His three year contract is almost up, and he's aching to go home. Unfortunately, two weeks from retirement is when things start getting creepy.

Moon is a slow burn mystery, and the tone is stark and subdued without being dull. Much of this is due to Rockwell, who infuses his character with a scraggly ordinariness that's surprisingly affecting.

There's a real sense of isolation and yearning in Moon, and Rockwell really delivers on some delicately poignant moments. Kevin Spacey also does a nicely understated job as GERTY, a station computer undergoing a moral crisis of its own.

The story is steady and low key. In my younger days, I would have thought Moon arty and boring, but I'm pleased to say I'm now able to appreciate its muted texture. The most dramatic thing about the film is probably the score, which is unexpectedly bold at times, but I quite liked this.

If you're looking for thrills and action, Moon won't be your thing. But if you like your sci fi subtle, poignant, and intriguing, this is top shelf stuff.

Verdict: A polished, low key, science fiction film that doesn't promise more than it delivers.

If you like 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), you might like this.

***

Read Zee's review of Moon (2009).