Moon review

After putting this on the lower end of my Top 10 of the year so far, I figured I'd put up an actual review.

Moon is the debut of director Duncan Jones, best known as being David Bowie's son. However, he has shown that he has a flair for good, creative ideas with this story he's concocted. It's a future where it's actually bright rather than distopian- a new energy source has been found in sunlight absorbed by the rocks on the moon's surface. One lone man is in charge of the station harvesting these rocks, and the loneliness becomes apparent.

At first this film seems to be about loneliness and isolation and how one person adapts to or fails to adapt to the adverse conditions. But about 30 minutes in it changes to a mystery with some cleevr sci-fi ideas being thrown around.

Unfortunately the execution of the story and the actual writing isn't as good as the ideas, the performance, or the atmosphere.

But I'll be honest, the visuals, atmosphere, and Sam Rockwell's performance are near golden. In fact, Rockwell is certainly good enough for academy awards recognition. The visuals are very uniwue and in no way overdone. The film builds some good tension, but the narrative is a bit confusing at times and a bit too simple at others.

I think Jones also shows his rookie status with some of the ways he chooses to reveal key plot points. I think a few scenes should have been rearranged, but it's still well done most of the time. I don't think it's a visionary masterpiece, but with shit like Transformers 2 and G-Force out, it's a welcome diversion to see something that makes you think.

Overall it's a definite recommendation, but a few kinks keep it from the highest marks in my book. It's only 97 minutes, and it's never boring despite accusations bu others that it moves slowly. i still think it's a smart, well-made sci-fi drama/thriller.