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I enjoy loud
raucous movies as much as the next guy.
I really don’t mind checking my brain
at the door for campy comedies. I am pretty
much even handed when it comes to my taste
in films, heck give me some good blood and
gore any day. But where I really get the
most bang for my buck is in movies that
make me think. Movies that have smart scripts
and flawless acting. Movies that go deeper
than fart jokes and exploding sheep. I’m
talking movies like “Moon.”
“Moon” stars Sam Rockwell as
Sam Bell, who oversees a mining operation
on the moon. He is there alone on a three
year contract. His only ‘friend’
is an artificial intelligence robot of sorts
called GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey). He
has spent the better part of his three years
in complete isolation, with only recorded
messages from his family and bosses to keep
him company.
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This kind of isolation preys on the mind, and
with his contract nearly up, Sam begins to question
his sanity as visions of and conversations with
himself become a regular part of his day. That’s
all I can really tell you about the plot of “Moon”
without ruining many a spoiler.
I went into “Moon” with a lot of
preconceived notions of what it was about, was
pleasantly surprised that I was wrong, and loved
every existential minute of it. As the story played
out, I found myself just as confused as Sam. I
wanted to understand as badly as he did just what
was happening to him and why. Rockwell’s
performance is a tour de force that sells every
bit of the story at hand. With the exception of
the recorded messages and GERTY, every frame of
“Moon” is dedicated to some version
of Sam. Rockwell has to deliver for the entire
movie’s running time with no one to play
against but himself. I always knew Rockwell was
a talented actor (well… except maybe when
I first saw him in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…),
but here he nails every subtle moment. I can’t
imagine another actor taking this role to the
levels he does. My prediction is that his is an
Academy Award performance that will go largely
unnoticed by the Academy.
It should be noted that while the film is, in
essence, a psychological journey for the character
of Sam… it is also a science fiction piece.
This underlying fact had to be addressed by the
filmmakers in order to make it all the more believable,
and they do so admirably. The moon base, in all
its simplicity looks completely real, as does
the surface of the moon. Whenever Sam ventures
out to fix one of the mining rigs, there is little
doubt that he is really there. The effects were
very well done.
Sony is releasing “Moon” on both
DVD and Bluray, and I have to tell you the Bluray
is stunning. The surface of the moon looks especially
stark with its contrast between black sky and
white powdery surface. There is little to say
for the sound except that the all important dialogue
is front and center, and even the silence of the
base’s exterior seems loud an ominous. The
disc is a little short on extras, but the quality
makes up for it. There are two commentaries, the
first by writer/director Duncan Jones, concept
designer Gavin Rothery and production designer
Tony Noble. The follow-up also has Jones, but
he is joined by producer Stuart Fenegen. Both
are very interesting, and add a lot of insight
to an already fascinating production.
You’ll also find featurettes on the ‘Making
of’ the film, some of the visual effects
and two film festival Q&A sessions at Sundance
with the filmmakers. Additionally, Jones’
short film “Whistle” is included here,
which is in itself an awesome film. I really would
have liked to have heard from Rockwell in the
commentary, but oh well.
“Moon” is a very cerebral movie,
so it may not appeal to everyone. It heads into
a direction that I did not see coming, and love
every minute of it.
Directed by: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Dominique McElligott,
Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong, Matt Berry, Kevin
Spacey (voice)
Extras: Commentary with Director/Writer Duncan
Jones and Producer Stuart Fenegan; Commentary
with Director/Writer Duncan, Director of Photography
Gary Shaw, Concept Designer Gavin Rothery and
Production Designer Tony Noble; The Making of
“Moon”; Creating the Visual Effects;
Science Center Q&A with Director Duncan Jones;
Filmmakers Q&A at Sundance
Specification: 1080p High Definition (2.40:1);
English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
Studio: Sony
Release Date: 1/12/2010
MPAA Rating: PG
http://www.sonypictures.com\bluray
We'll give Moon (Bluray) an A+.
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