Moon (Blu-ray)

For a while there it looked like Danny Boyle’s Sunshine was set to become the thinking man’s modern sci-fi flick of choice – as least until it lamentably veered off into typical action territory at the 11th hour. Resisting such temptations and offering something that isn’t afraid to take risks and doesn’t resort to predictable space-set clichés is Duncan Jones’ marvellous sci-fi debut, Moon.

Sam Rockwell plays Sam Bell, an astronaut nearly at the end of a three year stint working alone on the Moon, where he, with the help of his computer work associate, GERTY (Spacey, doing his best HAL impression), helps to fuel the Earth’s once-diminishing power sources. However, weeks before he is set to return home, Sam wakes up after a work-related accident and comes face-to-face with some horrifying revelations.

Taking nods from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and perhaps even more so, Douglas Trumbull’s superb Silent Running (which also features a one-man show in space), Moon is an intriguing, smart and striking genre flick that combats its lack of a multi-million dollar budget with subtle but impressive special effects, neat ideas and an astonishing performance from Sam Rockwell.

Making its debut on the hi-def format (as well as standard DVD of course), Moon doesn’t quite offer the sci-fi spectacle of something like the Blu-ray release of 2001, but hey, this isn’t exactly a fireworks display of a sci-fi movie. With the film mostly taking place within the Moon facility, the Blu-ray makes sure it does a good job with the detail and textures of the interiors, and certainly, the sheen of the bright white walls and the blemishes on the various bits of equipment look terrific. The contrast during the big exterior shots isn’t as strong as it could have been, though again, the texture and layering on the transports, ships and machinery gives the film an eerily authentic feel.

The soundtrack is sometimes subtle, especially when there isn’t an awful lot going on during a scene, but the various sounds from around the moon facility and the exquisite score make fine use of the speakers, and the dialogue is clearly audible throughout.

The Moon package boasts a nice selection of special features, including two separate audio commentaries, an entertaining 30-minute short film from Jones entitled ‘Whistle’, and a look behind the scenes through two revealing featurettes. The package also includes two Q&As featuring Jones, where he discusses the film’s influences and the difficulties involved in making the film etc.

Overall Verdict: A mesmerising Silent Running for the noughties, and a fine Blu-ray to boot.

Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Duncan Jones, Director Of Photography Gary Shaw, Concept Designer Gavin Rothery And Production Designer Tony Noble
Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Duncan Jones And Producer Stuart Fenegan
‘Whistle’ Short Film
‘The Making Of Moon’ Featurette
‘Creating The Visual Effects’ Featurette
Science Centre Q&A With Duncan Jones
Filmmakers Q&A At The Sundance Film Festival
Trailers
BD-Live

Reviewer: Lee Griffiths