In the future, astronaut Sam Bell’s (Rockwell) 3-year stint with Lunar Industries is about to expire. He has been isolated on the moon’s surface working alongside an intelligent computer named GERTY (Spacey), managing the extraction and harvest of Helium-3, Earths cleanest form of energy. But just two weeks before heading home, Sam gets into an accident and wakes up to disturbing events inside the moon base camp.
A suspenseful science fiction directed by Duncan Jones, and starring Sam Rockwell alongside an intelligent computer named GERTY, who is voiced by Kevin Spacey.
Sam Rockwell is brilliant in one of his more notable roles as a lead on screen. A very serious and dramatic role for the actor, whose performance is mainly a one man show in this sci-fi.
A smart and intelligent film. A science fiction powered by its story and brilliant acting, and not by the special effects that are usually synonymous with the genre of film. The sets are spot on and gives us that feel of authenticity, convincing us that are character is actually on the moon. Its enjoyable for the gripping suspense it presents, together with the mind-tingling twists that come along the way. Its a classic examination of mans isolation, loneliness, and eventually paranoia.
Great review man, but I noticed you only gave the film 3 stars, and yet your review consists of only praise and the good aspects of Moon. Why is it that you refrained from giving it more stars?
Perhaps you missed the fact that its the best movie of 2009. Or the fact that Sam Rockwell provides the best acting job… ever?
I concur with J.C.
I wouldn’t agree with it being the best film to come out in 2009 (arguably the best sci-fi maybe on that year, and probably not (Avatar)), but don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this film.
Sam Rockwell = Excellent!
Although I did enjoy this much, I wasn’t jumping off my seat in praise after viewing. Sam Rockwell’s performance is definitely something to notice, and is actually what powers this film. The plot is nothing new and is almost too predictable, and is probably what holds me back from rating this more than 3 clicks.
Peace!
Yeah, it’s a 3 star for me too. He did mention Sam Rockwell’s brilliant acting twice in the review. I was looking for more ambition in the story line department too. I wanted it to become beyond confusing intensifying the plot more, or for there to be some more serious complications with other versions of himself, or perhaps a important reason why he couldn’t leave yet. Mind blowing is the goal. They were so set up for it, and decided to just end the story. Great acting and a decent concept even if it’s well executed doesn’t make it a great film. They could have really built upon this idea way more. There’s nothing wrong with Moon at all, I just wasn’t like, “…Wow…..” towards the end.
Moon was kind of meant to be a predictable film. It wasn’t meant to be a mindf**k, but it was more meant to be a character study. A “Lady in the Water” of much greater ability and meaning.
Not many films from the same year could match Moon’s wonderful production design and beautiful score.
And at that, Moon was a movie that kinda showed you determination through selflessness. He was selfless to himself (mindf**k anyone?) and it showed a triumphant piece of the human spirit. On another note: If any of the nominated films shoulda won best pic, it shoulda been Inglourious Basterds. Hands down. Avatar at second, and The Hurt Locker nowhere to be found. Movie didn’t deserve any of it.
Yeah like I said, I’m with J.C. I didn’t find it completely predicable, at the very start I wasn’t anticipating they would bring clones in, were you? The set up made it look like another 2001, Gerty going rogue or something. Nevertheless, as mentioned, it wasn’t really supposed to be about the story, but human nature.
Hey, I realized my words seemed like I was downing the film. Not at all. Three stars is actually pretty high with me. I wasn’t saying that Moon was suppose to be a mindF**k. I was saying that it had potential to be either mind blowing or even more emotionally riveting, and that a little more would have went a long way with me. What, was the film only 97 minutes? (not that there isn’t some 90 min. films that I really love). I felt like if they had a few more events, or perhaps a little more heart wrenching scenes that it really could have blown open into that higher level were all searching for. Great sets and a great score is like the icing on the cake, but I just wanted a little more human connection or a more complex story line to make me say it’s just great! I would have taken either or if not both.
ah… I retract my bitching then haha.
ha ha I didn’t read it as bitching. It’s a fine film and I much rather people love this one than a lot others out there. Good or even decent Sci-Fi is kind of hard to come by.