Brimis on movies:DVD review "Moon"

Moon (2009)

R, running time 97 minutes Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is the lone inhabitant of the moon base Sarang. Stationed there by the LUNAR Corporation, Sam's job is to maintain equipment essential to mining the clean energy source helium three. Sam's only companion is Gerty 3000 an AI computer that follows Sam via tracks in the ceiling. Gerty, voiced by Kevin Spacey, looks after Sam and reports back to the Lunar Corporation. Only two weeks to go until the end of his three-year contract and Sam can't wait to get home to his family. The long term isolation is wearing on Sam, he's pale, he's talking to himself, and hallucinating. However Sam doesn't get too long to contemplate his sanity before an accident raises more pressing questions.

For his first feature director Duncan Jones has crafted a solid film reminiscent in the best ways of classics like “Solaris” and “2001:A Space Odessey,” but without being too derivative.

”Moon” uses familiar elements of the sci-fi genre such as isolation, a robot companion, a space station with a lone inhabitant, and paranoia to tell a story that feels completely fresh and original. Jones has succeeded in doing what many have tried and failed at and created an intelligent and engaging independent sci-fi feature.

Sam Rockwell proves once again he is an underutilized asset in Hollywood by delivering a performance that runs the gamut of human emotion. Rockwell carries the film not just as a result of his talent, but also out of necessity, as he is the only actor on screen most of the time. Without an actor of Rockwell's caliber moments in the film could have come off cheesy, but he keeps the film's tone and quality consistent. So as the responsibility to carry the film is on Rockwell's shoulders, he too deserves the credit for it's success.

Even though Rockwell is the only one on screen most of the time he does have a supporting cast, namely Kevin Spacey. The ominously sympathetic monotone Spacey uses to voice Gerty is perfect. The character will immediately remind you of Hal 9000, then sets itself apart just as quickly. Gerty seems more like a person than Hal. Gerty is almost motherly to Sam at times, but also seems to be hiding something. In fact Gerty conveys more humanity than most Hollywood robots (and some actors) without the benefit of humanoid form or tonal range.

In addition to solid performances “Moon” has great cinematography and a sparse soundtrack that give it the sense of isolation needed in a film of this nature. The one complaint some might have about “Moon” is that the film leaves you with questions. You want to know more about the corporation Sam works for, about the society on Earth, and about Sam himself. I see this as a good thing. It means you're engaged and interested in the universe Jones created and an artist always wants to leave you wanting more. Jones also plans to make two more movies taking place in the “Moon” universe the next being “Mute,” rumored to have a Sam Bell cameo. Still if you're the kind of person who needs a film to be packaged nicely with a bow and totally self contained, you may not be satisfied by the story telling in “Moon.” Likewise, if you're a person who needs nonstop action in your science fiction you may be disappointed. However, if you remember when sci-fi had something to say, appreciate cinematography, great acting, and an original story, you will be happy you saw “Moon.”

Verdict 4 out of 5