Alex's Movie Review of Sunshine (2007)

How Hot is the Sun?
Alex - wrote on 08/23/07

[Update: I recently saw this movie again on the small screen. Though it is not quite as good as it was on the big screen, the sense of space, dedication and sacrifices is all there. Simply put, this movie is one of the best sci-fi's ever made. Beautiful. Oh, and it is the best movie of 2007 (for me anyway)]

If you did not like 2001, Solaris, or The Fountain you may not like this movie. I am just saying.

Once in a while there are some really interesting philosphical sci fi movies that come out. In the last 12 months we had 2. While both are very different their premise is the same. Make it beautiful and make you think. Sunshine is a work of art - though how well done it is we can only tell by multiple viewings.

I admit, there are a few cliches and a few direct references to a lot of sci fi movies, but still there were many intense, incredible scenes that I will never forget (particularly the scene on the front shield and the ending sequence). Cillian Murphy is a great actor that proves once again how sci fi can be agreat drama.

The cliches: the beginning of the movie sets up the characters of all the players. This is done in the Abyss, Armageddon and most apocalyptic type movies. It's not bad, but you can tell it is almost forced and probably unnecessary. Another cliche is the human sacrifice. Bla blah blah - sacrifice. Cliche 3: A catastrophe. How many times has this been done? Cliche 4: It is the own fault of the crew that things happen for the worse.

So why are these cliches out weighed? Simple. The way the story is told. It is beautiful. The sun is beautiful! It creates a real sense of space (much like 2001 did). Showing the frightening aspects of it including noises, loneliness, and hot and cold. It also doesn't go crazy with any concept. Most everything is logical and possible today (including the crazy sun suit). The acting is also top notch (while there are some characters that are typical, most are original and "full"). The intensity and human sacrifice add to the drama. It is that good at times.

So to place this movie correctly in the sci fi space belt I would say it is better than Solaris (due to the fact that Solaris is a remake) and on par with The Fountain (though I have only seen this once). Only upon second viewing will I really be able to match up to the greatest of all time.