Sunshine
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Movie Reviews of Sunshine
Movie Review: Sunshine
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever since "Trainspotting," I've been a fan of Danny Boyle and his work. After watching it for the second time, "Sunshine," Danny Boyle's latest opus, is now my favorite film of his and one of my favorites in general. It's a simple story with complex characters, strong visuals, wonderful direction, and a beautiful score.
In the near future, our Sun is dying. To save it, the Icarus II is sent into space to deliver the "payload," an atom bomb, into the Sun to hopefully reignite it. As the crew is getting closer to their objective, they receive a distress beacon from Icarus I, the first spaceship sent on the mission, which was supposedly lost seven years earlier. Icarus II decides to board, knowing that now they will have two bombs, two chances...but it's not the only thing they find.
What I just stated above is a fairly loose description of the entire story. It's not that I left out major plot points, but more that it doesn't seem that interesting on paper. I had this same worry coming into the film, wondering how I wasn't going to be bored the entire time. I knew the story was going to be character-driven, but for some films, that's either good or bad depending on the way it's handled. Fortunately, it was pulled off perfectly.
The crew of the Icarus II is full of well drawn out characters not because the viewer knows so much about them. Rather, it's because the viewer wants to know more about them as the story progresses. As the film unfolds, character choices and backgrounds are not flopped out on the table, but instead, revealed slowly. Everything that is done by the crew is never ostentatious, but subtle. From physical movements to choice of words to decision making, the viewer is allowed to observe how the characters react and interact and then make their own decision about how they feel about the certain person. The characterization in this film is one of the best I've ever seen, due to the writing and impeccable acting.
Out of the cast, there were a few standouts that made the film outstanding. Cillian Murphy simply draws you into the film, either with his expressions or distress. As the only one who knows how to actually set the bomb off, he has the heaviest burden on his shoulders and he makes that evident throughout the film. The captain of Icarus II is played by Hiroyuki Sanada, whose tenacity to get the job done no matter what the cost was shown greatly and believably. Finally, the actor who keeps the entire film together is Chris Evans. Known mainly for the "Fantastic Four" films and "Not Another Teen Movie," he's definitely broken out of that mold and into something great. For me, he was the glue of this film, holding it all together. As much as he may seem hot-headed at one moment, he is passive and relaxed the next. His character always knows what's at stake and what must be done to complete the mission and Evans knows how to portray that.
Besides the acting, the film is also a visual feast. The sun itself is something to behold and the complex design of Icarus II is wonderfully rendered. Watching the spaceship surrounded by the darkness of space, Mercury passing in front of the sun, and the design of the "payload" are standouts in a film stock full of them.
As the film ended, the first thing I did was search for the musical score. John Murphy and Underworld have crafted music that is haunting, lonely, but most of all, uplifting and inspiring. There were many times throughout the film that the score made what was happening on screen stronger and engaging.
Danny Boyle is on the ball as always. His shot composition is perfect when it comes to dialog and when it comes to action and suspense. The effect he used to portray one of the characters in the story is effective and compares nicely with that of the Sun. Boyle moves the film along at a fairly slow pace, but it never feels like it. He's truly created a spectacle to watch.
"Sunshine" is my favorite film of Danny Boyle's and one of my favorite films. It's not an action, special effects blockbuster like "Armageddon." It's much more than that. Filled with complex characterization, awe-inspiring visuals, and a beautiful score, it moves the viewer to places that other films never can.
Movie Review: Very well done film, distinctly different (and better) than most recent science fiction movies
Summary: 5 Stars
_Sunshine_ was a very well made science fiction film, one that had some excellent special effects. The basic premise is that in the future, the mid 21st century, our Sun is dying and unless something is done, humanity and perhaps all life on Earth will perish. A daring, bold plan is launched, a scheme to reignite the Sun with a huge bomb basically, flown to its target by a crewed spaceship protected by a massive shield. The ship is called the _Icarus_.
Unfortunately, something happened to the _Icarus_ as it not only failed in its mission but it was never heard from again. The Earth has one more chance, mining all the fissile materials left in the world and sending them with _Icarus II_ . If this mission fails, the Earth is likely doomed. The movie focuses on the ship and crew of _Icarus II_.
_Sunshine_ reminded me of several other films or perhaps styles of film making. I have seen other reviewers call the film pensive sometimes, and with this I agree. There were many scenes of the various crew members (including Cillian Murphy from _Batman Begins_ and _28 Days Later_ and Michelle Yeoh of martial arts fame) quietly mediating, contemplating reality, their life, composing somewhat sad and very thoughtful video messages for people back home, wistfully experiencing brief scenes of life back on Earth in a holodeck of sorts, or looking and getting lost in heavily filtered images of the increasingly large Sun, a huge disc that appears many, many times the size of our star as seen in the skies of Earth. With the long, empty corridors, the quiet hum of the ship's machinery, the dark, gray, or white colors of most of the ship, the half-spoken conversations people have at times, perhaps indicating crew members long familiar with one another and all that they might say, or perhaps indicating depression, an unspoken thought that we are all doomed, the movie had a kind of _2001_ or _Solaris_ feel to it. This isn't a space movie where people are cheering or gambling or carousing, it is a film in which the crew members of the ship, though they have their angers and their fears (one character says every dream she ever has, as soon as she closes her eyes, is of the surface of the Sun), for the most part are grimly going about their task, all along the way basically saying goodbye to life and remembering what was.
With the very well done but dark and foreboding shots of _Icarus II_ in space and the film's quiet but moody music, _Sunshine_ had a building horror vibe to it, a sense of coming doom, not the doom of a suicide mission, but the doom of the inescapable feeling that something is going to go very wrong, a strong sense of the classic "I got a bad feeling about this." The filmmakers did a skillful job of showing how scary space can be...the endless dark, far from home, having to rely on equipment that could break down at any time and kill you in seconds, of being stuck with crew members that may go crazy in the long, long darkness...very well done.
I don't wish to spoil the film, but later on other aspects reminded me a lot of _Event Horizon_. I know there are a number of people who didn't like that film (I think I am one of the relatively few exceptions) but to me part of the movie was a lot like that, a ghost story in space (though done even better than in _Event Horizon_). Going back to my earlier point, the filmmakers did a good job of populating deep space with scary (though realistic) things.
An enjoyable movie, the movie also had some good action sequences and a satisfying ending. I don't think this movie got near the publicity it deserved when it was on the big screen and it is truly one of the better efforts in science fiction film making in recent years, a vivid and stark contrast to some of the incredibly fast-paced, explosion-loving, frenetic, visually overloaded films coming out of Hollywood in the last five or six years.
Movie Review: Intelligent and Incredible
Summary: 5 Stars
The sun is dying and the Icarus project is sent in to fix the problem. Robert Capa and the Icarus team go out into space in hopes of re-igniting the sun with a stellar bomb that's equal in mass to Manhattan island. It's been sixteen months since the team first left earth and they're about to enter the blackout zone...a bit earlier than expected. This means they won't be able to send or receive messages back home after they reach this zone. This is only the beginning of their problems as they realize that no matter how prepared they thought they were...things can and will go wrong in phenomenal ways.
I've got to say right off the bat that this is one of my favorite films to come out in recent years. I think it's an almost perfect film. The film had a science adviser and it shows as it's a very intelligent film. The Danny Boyle films I've seen have been good, but I think this one is his best so far. It's another film that is beautifully shot. Every frame is just oozing with vibrant colors and Boyle's style bleeds through in every scene. Cillian Murphy is impressive, as always. He's another actor I feel deserves more credit than he's given as he impresses me more and more as his talent seems to shine that much brighter in each film he's involved with. Chris Evans was the actor who was surprising in this. It's not a role you'd expect to see him in after seeing him in films like Not Another Teen Movie and Fantastic Four. He's in top form though and he slides into this role in ease. This is also one of the few films where the soundtrack is really enjoyable, as well. When a soundtrack enhances the movie experience instead of taking away from it, it only makes the film that much better. This is one of those soundtracks.
As great as the film is, it's greatest strength is its biggest flaw. They did have a science adviser and it helps make the film more believable, more intelligent, etc. The things that were changed to add suspense or for whatever reason other than to make the film more believable or as factual as possible make the film seem a little far fetched at times. It's really only a minor nitpick and it doesn't take away from how superb this movie really is.
Sunshine is a film any science fiction or horror fan should see. It's mostly a science fiction film, but the last half or so is pure horror. There's definitely an Event Horizon feel to this film. It's an interesting formula that pays off pretty well in the end. The film looks fantastic as every shot seems to jump off the screen in vibrant color. It's very well written and pretty believable (given the circumstances). The acting is top notch and it's a film that comes highly recommended.
Rating: 9/10
Movie Review: Top five movie of 07
Summary: 5 Stars
Sunshine is directed by Danny Boyle, and he has been continually amazing me since 28 days later. Mr. Boyle has publicly admited that big flicks aren't his thing. The Beach was dumped by the nations critics. Compare it to the small studio financed 28 days later, trainspotting, Millionaire, and his latest SUNSHINE and it becomes clear to you that he ain't being humble.
And let me say this: John Murphy is todays John Williams of the past for Music Compositions. Every single ballad is soundtrack worthy. It really makes a Danny Boyle film special. Just take away the totally original sountrack from Millionaire and you have a very diminished X-mas movie. I am at the point where I watch film s with Murphy attatched, just to hear his soundtrack. And the movie can be garbage, and I would be happy just listening to pictures. But I'm not saying the Sunshine is pictures to his music, this is solid sci-fi movie that deserves to praise from serious fans of the genre.
You instantly recognize homages to sci-fi classics such as Solaris 1972 version. But just in case you didn't, Boyle discusses what films increased his appreciation for the genre, and what films he paid homage to. But this movie, isn't merely an homage, it's far from that, it's an original piece of art work. His auterism is all over this film. The idea that a director leaves his print is easy to behold in a Danny Boyle film. No one quite quick cuts like Boyle, and not that isn't his editor. That's his eye. Boyle has a unique intensity to his craft. He captures that asthmatic gasp from Cilian Murphy that no one else cares for.
Although this film is small time, it has a big screen look. Sunshine isn't confined to whats inside the ship. It isn't nestled safely within the shell of some NASA craft. You take a plunge in some excruciating cold, and your mind is fooled into feeling it. I am sent into chills watching some of the scenes in this movie.
The franetic ending is awesome! And the acting is seriously worth mentioning. Cillian Murphy's acting throughout is outstanding. His endurance and strenght in the end to save the world is his mantle piece performance of the movie. It's his screaming, sinewy tension of someone against unfair odds. Cillian and BOyle have the potential to become one of the greatest actor/director pairs. I'm sorry If I'm dry on details here, but I can't risk telling anything about this film. Gives you more reason to watch it yourself. Thanks.
Movie Review: Best movie commentary track
Summary: 5 Stars
Generally I'm the type of person who likes almost any movie I see because I take a movie for what it is, not what I wish it was (though I have become pickier as time has passed). That being said, I loved this movie. I've heard it described as "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Event Horizon" mixed together. I never saw "2001", so for me it felt a lot like "Solaris" as far as the pacing is concerned (but a lot more interesting).
The exact premise behind the plot is never really explained in the movie, which can be understandably confusing. The basic explanation is that a form of supersymmetric matter known as a Q-ball has infected the sun and interrupted the reactions that give us our all-important sunshine. If you want a better idea of what that means from somebody qualified to explain it I would highly recommend watching this movie with the commentary track by Dr. Brian Cox (after you've watched the movie sans commentary, of course). Dr. Cox's commentary gives you a much better idea about what's going on scientifically in the movie and gives you the sense that, while not everything in the movie is scientifically plausible, the filmmakers actually made an effort to make it as real as possible while still making it interesting. How often does that happen?
This movie intrigued me and stuck with me for a couple of days after I finished it. Psychologically, it makes you wonder how you would handle similar situations, especially as plans begin to fall apart and it becomes apparent that the choices will become more difficult to make as time goes on.
While I'm no great judge of acting, I really came away from this movie feeling like the actors knew everything their characters were supposed to know. And as Roger Ebert said, they didn't come off as action heroes, which would have ruined the movie. In case you're wondering, I very, very rarely agree with Ebert on anything.
I could go on and on about this movie but I doubt it would make much sense. The science behind the movie caught most of my interest, which I know most people don't watch for. My suggestion is that you just give it a chance.
And seriously, watch this movie with Dr. Cox's commentary track after you've already watched it at least once. The commentary is interesting and gives you a much better idea of the science behind the movie, which will definitely go over well with anybody that has even a passing interest in physics.