Sunshine (B- or 3/4 stars)
The year is 2057 and the Sun is dying. The only hope to save Earth is to send a highly skilled team of expert astronauts to release a massive bomb upon the Sun. This bomb would be able to destroy what's killing the Sun and restore it to its powerful state of matter (in other words, the bomb would create a new 'star' within the Sun, setting it ablaze again). After a 2046 mission failed, this new 8-person team hopes to save Earth. But, of course they are faced with a host of problems and 'their' mission may fail in much the same way the 1st one did. 'Sunshine', directed by Danny Boyle, offers a mixed bag of both good & bad for me. The first 'sci-fi' hour is gripping. The special effects are outstanding. But the plot loses momentum & takes an odd 'thriller' turn in the last 45 minutes.
For the time being, no one knows why Icharus I failed to release their payload upon the Sun. The crew of astronauts and scientists want to make sure they fulfill their legendary duties in saving the world. Aboard the Icharus 'II' is Capa (the always intriguing Cillian Murphy), a Nuclear Physicist whose job is to release the bomb. The rest of the crew on this vessel includes Mace (a stellar Chris Evans), a much-needed psychiatric counselor, Searle (Whale Rider's Cliff Curtis), Cassie (Rose Byrne), a woman in charge of the O2 count, Corazon (Michelle Yeoh), Capt. Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada), next-in-line, Harvey (Troy Garity), and Trey (Benedict Wong). Their only intent in life is to, potentially, kill themselves for their planet. This is dually inspiring AND important for the plot of this movie.
The ship has entered a 'blackout' zone where they can no longer have communication with Earth; it's all or nothing now. A few million miles from the Sun, Harvey detects a distress call from a drifting Icharus I! Could it be? Corazon believes that there may be enough oxygen, food, & water for some to have survived. Are they still alive, some 7 yrs. later? Should they risk going off-course to save the Icarus I? AND, if they accomplish this, can they risk using Icarus I's bomb (now 2 of them) to further help their cause. But the trajectory of their ship goes astray. Malfunctions start occurring; problems upon problems start mounting. The pressure builds. It's here where the plot veers & the addition of an extra human on board the Icharus II sends things off into bloody chaos, literally.
What I liked about 'Sunshine' was how it set a mood. At first, you're in for a space adventure. But then you realize that there's a celestial spirituality afloat. This; blended with gorgeous, poetic special effect imagery of the ship and the sun in outer space made for spine-tingling beauty. There are some moments when you're pulling for certain characters. And there are several stressful, tension-filled moments to keep you near the end of your seat. That said, I really didn't feel emotional for these characters, whether in their bliss, or their fears. While the special effects cinder our senses, many of their personalities are just cold enough to extinguish the fire in this movie's belly.
I loved the beautiful visuals (a haunting silence in the deep, dark galaxy). Watching their voyage is wonderfully hypnotic. I love the general premise of the film. I love its ethics. But a lack of concern for the characters, and a bizarre segue into 'horror flick' status put an end to the spell I was under. The 'horror' aspect lessens the overall effect of the film. Plausibility gives way to a touch of silliness, really. And I became consciously disconnected in the last Act. Like the dying Sun, the fire in the movie starts to dwindle towards the end (sorry for all the metaphors, but they're ripe for the taking here). Still, there are enough bursts of intelligence & vibrance throughout this multi-genre film to find a suitable audience. I still lend a timid recommendation.
For the time being, no one knows why Icharus I failed to release their payload upon the Sun. The crew of astronauts and scientists want to make sure they fulfill their legendary duties in saving the world. Aboard the Icharus 'II' is Capa (the always intriguing Cillian Murphy), a Nuclear Physicist whose job is to release the bomb. The rest of the crew on this vessel includes Mace (a stellar Chris Evans), a much-needed psychiatric counselor, Searle (Whale Rider's Cliff Curtis), Cassie (Rose Byrne), a woman in charge of the O2 count, Corazon (Michelle Yeoh), Capt. Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada), next-in-line, Harvey (Troy Garity), and Trey (Benedict Wong). Their only intent in life is to, potentially, kill themselves for their planet. This is dually inspiring AND important for the plot of this movie.
The ship has entered a 'blackout' zone where they can no longer have communication with Earth; it's all or nothing now. A few million miles from the Sun, Harvey detects a distress call from a drifting Icharus I! Could it be? Corazon believes that there may be enough oxygen, food, & water for some to have survived. Are they still alive, some 7 yrs. later? Should they risk going off-course to save the Icarus I? AND, if they accomplish this, can they risk using Icarus I's bomb (now 2 of them) to further help their cause. But the trajectory of their ship goes astray. Malfunctions start occurring; problems upon problems start mounting. The pressure builds. It's here where the plot veers & the addition of an extra human on board the Icharus II sends things off into bloody chaos, literally.
What I liked about 'Sunshine' was how it set a mood. At first, you're in for a space adventure. But then you realize that there's a celestial spirituality afloat. This; blended with gorgeous, poetic special effect imagery of the ship and the sun in outer space made for spine-tingling beauty. There are some moments when you're pulling for certain characters. And there are several stressful, tension-filled moments to keep you near the end of your seat. That said, I really didn't feel emotional for these characters, whether in their bliss, or their fears. While the special effects cinder our senses, many of their personalities are just cold enough to extinguish the fire in this movie's belly.
I loved the beautiful visuals (a haunting silence in the deep, dark galaxy). Watching their voyage is wonderfully hypnotic. I love the general premise of the film. I love its ethics. But a lack of concern for the characters, and a bizarre segue into 'horror flick' status put an end to the spell I was under. The 'horror' aspect lessens the overall effect of the film. Plausibility gives way to a touch of silliness, really. And I became consciously disconnected in the last Act. Like the dying Sun, the fire in the movie starts to dwindle towards the end (sorry for all the metaphors, but they're ripe for the taking here). Still, there are enough bursts of intelligence & vibrance throughout this multi-genre film to find a suitable audience. I still lend a timid recommendation.