SUNSHINE (2007)*
Basic storyline: The Sun is dying and Earth is in permanent winter. The Icarus II, with a crew of eight, has been dispatched with a nuclear payload is re-ignite the Sun. They are Earth’s last hope. The first mission, dispatched seven years earlier, failed.
*
This film was directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Millions). It stars Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, Batman Begins, Red Eye), Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies, Memoirs of a Geisha) and Chris Evans (Fantastic Four, Cellular).
*
The setting of this film looks real. I really liked the gold spacesuits. Too cool. The storyline has good moments and not so good but all are food for thought. This falls into the category of a thinking-person’s science fiction story and there are not very many of them. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the best example. I’d also include The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). This is not your basic action-adventure sci-fi movie. Besides the science behind such a mission, the story also touches on God and free will. It also asks the question: when can an innocent be sacrificed for the safety of the majority? Not many films ask these hard questions.
*
I was riveted watching this story unfold. It is not boring. I liked all the questions they raised but I didn’t like all the answers they came up with. I liked the mystery behind the failure of the first mission and what the crew discovered that happened to the first crew but the story takes it one step further (I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen the film) and, for me, that hurt the film. As I have said many times, endings are hard.
*
Overall, see Sunshine. It is well worth your time.
*
Side Bar: When flying to the sun, never name your craft “Icarus.” If you don’t know why, read the Greek myth about Icarus.
Smart-Ass Side Bar: If I’d written the screenplay, I would have ignored all the science tech stuff about flying to the sun. I would’ve had my team fly at night.
*
This film was directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Millions). It stars Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, Batman Begins, Red Eye), Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies, Memoirs of a Geisha) and Chris Evans (Fantastic Four, Cellular).
*
The setting of this film looks real. I really liked the gold spacesuits. Too cool. The storyline has good moments and not so good but all are food for thought. This falls into the category of a thinking-person’s science fiction story and there are not very many of them. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the best example. I’d also include The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). This is not your basic action-adventure sci-fi movie. Besides the science behind such a mission, the story also touches on God and free will. It also asks the question: when can an innocent be sacrificed for the safety of the majority? Not many films ask these hard questions.
*
I was riveted watching this story unfold. It is not boring. I liked all the questions they raised but I didn’t like all the answers they came up with. I liked the mystery behind the failure of the first mission and what the crew discovered that happened to the first crew but the story takes it one step further (I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen the film) and, for me, that hurt the film. As I have said many times, endings are hard.
*
Overall, see Sunshine. It is well worth your time.
*
Side Bar: When flying to the sun, never name your craft “Icarus.” If you don’t know why, read the Greek myth about Icarus.
Smart-Ass Side Bar: If I’d written the screenplay, I would have ignored all the science tech stuff about flying to the sun. I would’ve had my team fly at night.
1 comment:
"Side Bar: When flying to the sun, never name your craft “Icarus.”"
hahahahahahaha
Yeah. That struck me right at the get -go of your description. I'm not sure why anyone would name anyone or thing Icarus anyway (not exactly a LUCKY name) but a space vehicle headed to the sun??? That's just nuts (and they did it TWICE).
:-D
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