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| Movie Review: Sunshine Alternate Title: Mission Impossible
Story: To boldly go where SPF
5,000,000 is needed could easily have been an alternate title for this
wildly uneven but entertaining film by director Danny Boyle
with his collaborating screenwriter, Alex Garland. It is 50 or so years in the future and Earth
is in big trouble because our sun is dying. The mission of the crew
of Icarus II (Icarus I did not do well) is to essentially reboot the
sun by driving nukes into its core. The first two thirds of the film are intriguing,
intelligent, stylish and visually exciting. There is a nice combination
of science and good looking astronauts. Bits and pieces are appropriated
from other films in this genre but why not borrow when it works? Suddenly
the last 25 minutes turns into a different film. It seemed as if the
script was sabotaged or voted out by a focus group. It degrades into
a thriller/slasher/Survivor film that left me pissed, a little scared
and very unsatisfied. That said, if you like sci-fi, mixed in with
sensational cinematography (Alwin H. Kuchler) and you
do like to be frightened in a movie, than check it out. Predilection: I like Cillian Murphy and I like outer
space.
Critters: There are no critters in this outer space
film.
Food: Chicken, noodles and carrots (grown in their
hydroponics area)
Soundtrack: Spooky stuff by John Murphy and the Underworld
Opening Titles: All credits are at the end other
than the initial title superimposed over a very exciting opening sequence.
Visual Art: Visuals that will knock your sunglasses
off.
Theater Audience: Less people in the theater than
on the shuttle.
Weather: Hot and very, very sunny.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The last 20 minutes were squirmy.
Drift Factor: There is drifting in outer space but
I did not drift during the film. Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: The visuals were pretty amazing.
Big Screen or Rental: If you are going to see it
the big screen would be the way to go. Director Danny
Boyle has an interesting filmography. Check out any of these films.
Millions, 28 Days Later, The Beach, A Life Less Ordinary and Trainspotting
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 6 |