MOVIE REVIEWS: MOON

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Name: Moon
Rated: R
Running Time: 97 minutes

Director: Duncan Jones

Synopsis
Sam Bell is nearing the completion of his 3-year-long contract with Lunar Industries, mining Earth’s primary source of energy on the dark side of the moon. Alone with only the base’s vigilant computer Gerty as his sole companion, Bell’s extended isolation has taken its toll. His only link to the outside world comes from satellite messages from his wife and young daughter. He longs to return home, but a terrible accident on the lunar surface leads to a disturbing discovery that contributes to his growing sense of paranoia and dislocation so many miles away from home.

Review
With only two major characters, the movie could have been slow. But Sam (played by Sam Rockwell) intrigues you from the beginning. His only companion on the moon is the computerized assistant Gerty (Kevin Spacey). These two actors both have the potential to be extremely creepy, and as Sam starts to lose it, you begin to wonder if the movie’s headed for a 2001: A Space Odyssey style face off. But this movie isn’t predictable. Even when you finally know what’s going on, you never know what’s going to happen next. Sam spends a few days talking to himself (literally; there’s another Sam on base), with Gerty keeping them both locked inside. Sam Rockwell is amazing, and while the movie ends suddenly, you never feel like you missed out on something.

I recommend that you pay attention to the music (what little there is). While you may not realize why it’s important, by the end of the movie you’ll understand (and think it’s hilarious). The movie is more drama/action, but it has its funny moments. The special effects are good; the budget was small, so the CG is limited. Most of the lunar shots are models, but they look real because they are real. The surroundings are sparse, which reflects the feeling of the movie, but not the action. I highly recommend this one.

Rating: 8/10 stars