Moon

"I've Worked with better... but not many."

Nearing the end of his three year contract alone in a harvesting station on the moon, Sam Bell can think of little else than returning home to his wife and young daughter. When he starts to see things that aren't there, he chalks it up to a side affect of his solitude. But after a freak accident Sam starts seeing something deeply disturbing, and it most assuredly is there.

Sam Rockwell. I think this review has to begin and end with his name. I know I know "it takes a village", but Moon is almost a one man show and Rockwell carries it with such confidence he's got Atlas fearing for his job security. His performance is delicate, and enthralling.

Set against a backdrop created by production designer Tony Noble, while watching I was immediately flooded with memories of the Nostromo and Discovery One. It would seem Moon's Lunar installation was designed with the thought of simplicity. Anyone who knows me, knows I have nothing against the star ship Enterprise (Love you Jean-Luc) but part of the appeal here is the complete lack of unpronounceable bits of technology. Every piece of equipment, every console and panel looks completely man made- a logical progression of today's technology. That's what the best science fiction offers. Not just a future, but a possible future.

Maybe this sums up the over all feel of this film: Less is more. Moon is a purposefully simple movie, but never a thin movie. Case in point- the character GERTY. Voiced by Kevin Spacey, GERTY is the main character Sam Bell's computer assistant and the only other inhabitant on the Lunar station for the nearly three years he's been working . GERTY is essentially a plastic box hanging down from a telescoping arm (with a small but ingenious touch that I don't want to spoil here). Sounds simple right? Well GERTY also breaks most of the stereotypes this genre has set for A.I. characters. He is awesomely written, and smartly kept in the background.

This film was shot over 30+ days during the '07-'08 Writer's Guild of America strike. Director and writer of the story adapted for the screenplay Duncan Jones said during an interview that the strike allowed him to procure an effects crew that may have otherwise been unattainable. It shows in everyone of Moon's sometimes stumping special effects shots. The shots are brilliant, but like GERTY, understated to keep them believable. Think of them as the Anti-Bay.

A haunting and mesmerizing score rounds out one of the strongest science fiction ventures of the last five years. Fans of the sci-fi genre will be exorbitantly pleased. But Moon has an over-arcing and, you guessed it, simple soul that will draw in any who dare to give it a chance. Sam Rockwell.

Reel Deal Recommends:

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. This fantastic movie is where it all started for me and Sam Rockwell.

The Usual Suspects for a great movie and performance from Kevin Spacey. It's not the most original choice, but if you haven't seen this thriller you'll thank me.