Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie, does a lot with a little in Moon. This low-budget sci-fi thriller manages to compare favorably with Soderbergh's Solaris with a fraction of the budget. The trick? Keep things simple. Most of the film consists of dialogue between Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) and himself or a robotic helper named Gerty (Kevin Spacey). There are allusions to some of the classics--Spacey's overly calm approach to Gerty recalls HAL of 2001, and there are more than a few similarities to the aforementioned Solaris. Moon doesn't quite earn the right to sit alongside 2001 as a sci-fi classic, but it manages to entertain and intrigue while giving one plenty to think about after leaving the theater.
     If you want the best possible viewing experience of Moon, I suggest reading no further. The trailers give away just enough that you will come to certain conclusions more quickly than the film intends, and I will mention a few spoilers here as well. There is a twist that occurs partway through the movie that would certainly be most effective if one goes in cold. Thankfully, the effectiveness of the film does not hinge on this one plot point, and it moves forward from it fairly quickly. That straightforward approach is indicative of the film's tone as a whole, as Duncan Jones shies away from melodrama despite the emotional weight of many scenes.
     Let's get the film's weaknesses out of the way first. Duncan Jones is a rookie, and it does show at times. The pacing of the film is not perfect, with several scenes that serve little purpose. This results in a lack of tension or momentum until near the very end. While the film's revelations may be as mind-boggling as those in Solaris, one does not have that gut feeling something big is about to be revealed. The tone of the film is also inconsistent at times. The comic relief is welcome and unexpected, but sometimes feels out of place. Despite the film's general commitment to being economical and concise, it often lacks focus.
     However, in its main goal as a thoughtful science fiction film Moon is a resounding success. Sam Rockwell (who deserves a lot more attention after this role) plays Sam Bell, a mining employee who works in isolation on the far side of the moon. The lack of human contact starts to get to Sam when his three year contract is almost up. His only consolation is that he receives video messages from his wife and daughter to remind him of what he will return to on Earth. However, Sam's condition deteriorates to the point where he begins to hallucinate. And, of course, like in every good sci-fi movie, everything is not as it seems.
     The special effects in the film are excellent and truly remarkable given the film's budget. They are simple and effective, reminiscent of NASA footage from the moon or Mars. Clint Mansell's score is chilling at times and helps establish an ominous tone for the film, however some of his themes echo those from Solaris a little too obviously. Overall, Duncan Jones has created a remarkable film that proves sci-fi films can be of high quality without a huge budget. Moon is a must-see for all fans of thoughtful science fiction.

Buy: 

Moon

Buy: 

Moon [Blu-ray]