Moon is one of the most refined science fiction films of the 21st Century. Its a visual feast filled with intriguing themes, ideas, and it even conveys a heartfelt friendship. It is a dramatic character study that uses science fiction as a back drop for the story.
The story centers around astronaut Sam Bell who has been on the moon for three years working to supply earth with it’s primary source of energy, Helium-3. Sam Bell has been suffering with loneliness and stress, and his only companion is his loyal computer friend Gerty. Two weeks before Sam Bell gets to return home, he starts seeing things that may or may not be real.
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The film is filled with original ideas that deal with isolation, loneliness, and the dilemma of confronting yourself. Most of these ideas are of course seen through Sam Bell’s development. He is a rich character that represents these promising themes with exceeding grace. At ninety-seven minutes the story moves a long at a brisk pace without any needless exposition stops. Some may criticize it for that, but it keeps moving, resulting in a story that is constantly evolving. The twist and turns it takes are also well earned and don’t come off as predictable. The film’s only real fault is an unnecessary voice over at the end. The final scene’s striking imagery could have worked perfectly fine without it. There are also a few technical questions raised, but those are just nit-picks.
Despite being made on a very low budget, it’s scope and style is on a grand level. The production design is fantastic, the station set and the rovers are wonderfully crafted. Jones used Miniatures for all the moon shots and they look flawless. Duncan Jones struck a perfect balance between practical effects and CGI. He doesn’t use the flashy style as a distraction or a gimmick, it is always story first. Most big budget films don’t achieve production value at this level, which shows that Moon had true talents working behind the scenes. None of the effects look second rate despite being made on a low budget (around $5 million). Another highlight is the legendary Clint Mansell’s (The Fountain) score, quite possibly his best yet. His electronic melodies perfectly create brooding tension and it also adds vital impact to the dramatic scenes.
The always stunning Sam Rockwell (Choke) also delivers his best performance yet as Sam Bell. He’s incredibly versatile in a role that begs for it. He masters a dual performance that not many actors are capable of delivering. No matter what Sam Bell he is playing he makes a perfect distinction between the two. Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) also provides his elegant low key voice for the role of Gerty. Spacey’s voice isn’t at all a distraction as one might think it would be. He provides us with the much needed familiarity and mystique. Gerty also never comes off like a cliche Hal rip-off which it could have so easily become.
Moon will surely be garnished with love from all the science fiction fans out their and will also be praised by non fans alike. All of the film’s ideas are well developed, Sam Bell is a highly compelling character, and the visual aesthetic is beautifully conceived. A film at this level calls for repeat viewings to further appreciate the production value and also to notice many of the rich tiny details. Moon is an original film that must be seen on the big screen.