Review
Moon
Director: Duncan Jones
Release Date: 17 July 2009
After a month of bash-em-up, CGI-heavy, brain-light robot films, Duncan Jones proves science fiction can be more than mere big budgeted action. The artist formerly known as Zowie Bowie has created a film that understands the origins of sci-fi are rooted firmly in the human psyche, and it is easy to see his influences. Moon is set firmly in a time before Star Wars heralded a new age of dumbed-down outer space entertainment. Instead of wookies and speedy set-pieces, Jones places all his focus on Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), the lone man overseeing energy-harvesting machines on the dark side of the moon.
There are many references to Moon’s inspirations, none so obvious as the influence of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Instead of Kubrick’s HAL, here Sam’s only companion is Gerty (voiced by the ever calm, emotionally ambiguous Kevin Spacey), whose feelings are revealed through changing yellow smiley faces that evoke a surprising, yet pleasing humanity. Although there are several cast members, these feature collectively for little more than five minutes of Moon’s running time. As Sam starts to (possibly) hallucinate, and with no one but himself - literally - for company, it is clear this is entirely a showcase for Rockwell. While many would struggle to keep the audience’s attention, Rockwell is exceptional. There is little to distract from his performance - the moon base’s interior is crisp, minimalist and decidedly retro, while the low budget has meant the special effects are sparse, rather than indulgent. Yet this merely compliments the film, giving it an other-worldly, other-era feel to it. It is refreshing to see a return to the sci-fi style of HG Wells and John Wyndam, with a film that remembers the fiction is superseded by science, and that at its core exists to reveal more about the human condition than simply to have an excuse to blow stuff up.
Becky Bartlett