Sunshine
by Danny Boyle
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Cliff Curtis, Hiroyuki Sanada, Mark Strong, Paloma Baeza, Rose ByrneDirector: Danny Boyle
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Alwin Küchler
Composer: John Murphy
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
Published: 2008-01-01
DVD Release Date: 2008-01-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Product features:
- Languages: English, Spanish, French
- Subtitles: English, Spanish
- Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary by Danny Boyle
- Alternate Ending, Audio Commentary by Director and Dr. Brian Cox (University of Manchester)
- Web Production Diaries, Two Short Films with Intro by Danny Boyle
Movie Reviews of Sunshine
Movie Review: Boyle and Garland take another shot at sci-fi/horror and triumph again
Summary: 5 Stars
"Sunshine" represents the third collaboration between director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland. I've never watched "The Beach" in its entirety (what I've seen is not encouraging), but their work on "28 Days Later" alone is sufficient to generate interest in any future work they may produce. "28 Days Later" was one of those rare genre films that worked brilliantly on a purely dramatic level; it was both a great horror movie and a great drama filled with likable, compelling characters. So, I was understandably excited for "Sunshine", and it did not disappoint. It can't manage the overall excellence of "28 Days Later", but this is still a beautifully made, thoroughly compelling film with a stronger human element than most of its contemporaries.
"Sunshine" has a typically simple premise: In the year 2057 the sun is, for some unspecified reason, dying, and the earth has sent two missions to heal it in some equally vague fashion via setting off a stellar bomb. The first mission, Icarus I, never returned nor did it succeed, thus necessitating the launch of Icarus II, which we will follow through the film.
Some have complained about the vagueness of the setup, but I couldn't disagree more. There's basically no such thing as a hard science fiction film, so I'd rather that they not waste our time with too much pseudo-scientific blather, but rather introduce us to the premise and allow the viewer to either take it or leave it. As to those who complain that the science isn't real, I got some news for ya: the science is almost never real. It's frankly baffling that anyone would the science to be accurate, considering the track record of sci-fi films. Of course, I don't actually believe that those who complain about the impossibilities really dislike "Sunshine" because of this. Most people just lack the ability to articulate why they found a film boring or stupid, so they just latch onto some supposed impossibilities or plot holes, oblivious that the exact same complaints can be leveled at virtually any film.
Anyway, the major trouble in the film arises when, quickly approaching the sun, Icarus II picks up a distress signal from Icarus I, causing debate amongst the crew: some believe they should continue on the mission as planned, others feel that the risk of changing course will be offset by the potential gains that come may come form investigating, particularly in the form of a second bomb. They ultimately decide, though not unanimously, to change course. On their way a number of human errors create a desperate situation on Icarus II wherein they may no longer be able to deliver the payload, much less return to earth. Moreover, they discover quite a mystery on the seemingly undamaged Icarus I, which eventually gives rise to the surprisingly horror-oriented finale.
While "Sunshine", again, can't match the sort of humanity found in "28 Days Later", it is still more psychologically deep and character-driven than most genre films. (Though it can't help but give some of the characters, specifically Trey, Corazon and Harvey, the short shrift.) The film is, practically, half about the physical dangers that come with the mission, and half about the sort of mental difficulties and conflicts which arise between the crew members. Cillian Murphy is the lead, here playing Capa, a physicist familiar with the stellar bomb and in charge of operating it, should the computer fail. Unsurprisingly, Murphy plays Capa as something of a cold rationalist, and this makes him a bit less personable than usual, though his natural likeability still shines through to some degree. The other dominant personalities include Dr. Searle (Cliff Curtis), the psych officer who seems a bit of kilter himself, Mace (Chris Evans), the combative, hotheaded engineer who clashes with Capa and foxy chick Cassie (Rose Byrne), the sensitive pilot (I'm pretty sure foxy chick is her primary role on the ship, however) who is the film's apparent love interest, though an explicit subplot is mercifully absent. Many have accused the characters of being basically clichéd, and while I can't really disagree with this claim, I think the solid performances bring them fully to life. Chris Evans, in particular, is surprisingly compelling and even likable as the jackhole Mace, and Rose Byrne makes her typically grating character type (the whiny girl who wants everyone to get along) far more sympathetic than usual.
Sunshine is a medium-budget film (arguably relatively low-budget for a major release sci-fi film) but it is nevertheless remarkably beautiful and uses the FX budget to maximum effect. Though the effects are ever present, they aren't flashy, nor do they usually draw much attention to themselves. They are simply a core part of the universe of the film. This makes "Sunshine" more of a genuine sci-fi film than most, even though the science is often bunk: "Sunshine" tries, at least on an emotional level, to give a sense of the vastness of the universe, of what extended space travel would be like and of what sort of problems would come along with it. Most sci-fi films have the futuristic elements as background and nothing more. "Sunshine" may not be truly realistic, but science fiction ideas are still at the heart of the film.
That said, "Sunshine" takes a surprising turn towards horror in the final act. I'm a horror aficionado, so this doesn't bother me, but I can imagine why others would dislike it and find it jarring. Put most bluntly, however, though the horror twist comes out of left field, the climax works well on its own terms: the villain, whom I won't discuss at length, is creepy and cool and it's all quite tense, even if it's ultimately not as solid as the opening 80 minutes or so.
Anyway, it looks like "Sunshine", as with the aforementioned "28 Days Later", is receiving a fairly mixed response from the public. This is unsurprising, since it is pretty slow-paced and contemplative for a contemporary sci-fi film, which, combined with the bizarre conclusion, will doubtless alienate many viewers. But what can I say, I liked it, and I, in fact, particularly enjoy the strange mix. All in all this is some very good stuff, and one of the best '07 releases.
Grade: A-
Summary of Sunshine
SUNSHINE - DVD Movie