Long anticipated Indie Sci-Fi ‘Moon’, burst onto UK Screens on Friday, July 17th – coinciding with the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landings. Helmed by Duncan Jones, ‘Moon’ sees protagonist Sam [Sam Rockwell, of Choke & Green Mile fame] battle with an isolated position on a Moon energy farm.
The aesthetic quality of ‘Moon’ is reminiscent of the likes of Alien and Total Recall; whilst conveying a contemporary feeling, I couldn’t help become a little nostalgic with the subtle stylised 1980′s feel to the whole thing.
Jones is Captain of this ship, and it sails eloquently. Without giving too much away, Rockwell’s ‘Sam’ encounters himself and has numerous stand-offs with his ‘double’. Jones cheekily and very subtly denounces the classic and mostly figured cinematographic ‘two-way’ exchanges of past cinema [Nic Cage in Adaptation, Mike Myers in the Austin Powers Franchise & not to mention numerous Python escapades], giving two fingers to audience expectations of the traditional split-screen method.
In my favorite scene, wherein Rockwell plays ping-pong with himself – Jones teases us, with an almost symmetrical shot in which, it’s going to seem very easy to pop a little CGI ping-pong ball in there – but no. The exchanges between Rockwell & Rockwell are very impressive. At one point, Rockwell stands smack in the middle of the shot, defying the rules and putting a smile on my face, at least. Watch out for a wayward ping-pong bat too!
I had thought Kevin Spacey’s Robot ‘GERTY’, who is brilliantly reminiscent of Hal 9000 [Kubrick], to speak a little too ‘fluidly’ at times. However, upon consideration of this – the technology and Artificial Intelligence is being outlined by Spacey’s vocal portrayal. The Robot’s warmth and obvious compassion towards Sam, albeit sometimes questionable in terms of the underlying motives, clearly portrays that this is a technology of vast superiority.
Clint Mansell, scorer to many greats including one of my all-time favorites ‘Requiem for a Dream’, along with ‘The Hole’ and more recently ‘The Wrestler’. The score is fantastic and just beautifully compliments Jones’ visuals. Shot on a tight budget, and within a London Studio in the rough space of One Month – Duncan Jones has not only established himself as a Film Director – but a great and reputable one at that.
‘Moon’ is visually, a treat. The story, dynamic and wonderfully sombre. The music, perfect. The talent, unsurpassable. ‘Moon’ is Rockwell’s isolated mindfuck, and shows a very harrowing, yet endearing emotional journey.
I’m not going to patronise anyone by awarding this film a classification, mark etc. I’m just going to tell you to go see ‘Moon’, at any given opportunity. It’s a beautiful vision, complimented greatly by all of the hands on board.
I greatly look forward to Duncan Jones’ very prospective career in film. An absolute visionary, and gentleman.
For more Information & Showtimes at the Official ‘Moon’ Website
Follow Duncan Jones on Twitter: @manmademoon
