British Gala / International premiere

Moon

  • Duncan Jones /
  • UK /
  • 2008 /
  • 97 mins

Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong, Matt Berry, Malcolm Stewart

Creepy, poignant and funny sci-fi, with a killer lead turn from Sam Rockwell.

Sam has almost reached the end of his three year solo posting mining fuel from the moon for use on Earth. Connected to his wife and daughter only via videophone conversations, he’s had ample time to reflect on his past – but there’s no denying that his mind has begun to play tricks on him. And as his return date approaches, things in Sam’s contained world take a very startling turn...

 

2009 Archive

Image from Moon

Comments

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  • #1 Leona Campbell / Sunday 21 June, 2009 / 09:18 GMT

    Every year there is one movie that everyone needs to see not just at the fest but in the whole movie world. 2009 is Moon!!!! You don't need to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy this film and it will trully leave you speechless. To say it's a work of love is an understatement, you curl down in your seat anticipating the unknown and your captivated by everything, the sets, the story, the acting, the whole package leave you wanting more and wishing you could jump straight into another showing of the movie. Sam Rockwell (who I'm already a HUGE fan of) gives an amazing performance which grabs you and pulls you into the movie with him. The special effects and sets remind you of a time when sci-fi movies didn't have to have computer digital effects clogging up every single scene. Even the smiley faced computer leaves you grinning. To go into any more detail would take away from the experience, you really need to go into this movie not knowing what to expect as it will blow your mind.

    The Q&A that came with the film was just as brilliant as the film itself and the best one I've ever been to at the fest, funny and left you wanting to see whatever comes next from this extremely talented group.
  • #2 Alexandre Ruggiero-Statibene / Sunday 21 June, 2009 / 09:37 GMT

    "Moon" is truly a great film. Had I been told I'd like a sci-fi film with basically one actor and no explosions, I would have been very sceptical. But now that I've seen "Moon" I know it can be done, and well! Sam Rockwell really rocks in this film (couldn't resist lol)! I hope his performance will be noticed/recognised by his peers. He deserves it.

    Duncan Jones and his crew did a great job putting this together, the 70's sci-fi look of the film totally works. The film is well paced, intriguing, funny and it looks great!
    If it sounds like your cup of tea: go see it! If not... well see it anyway, it's good. lol

    The unexpected Q&A was a real treat. Thanks for that. :)
  • #3 Pete Harper / Sunday 21 June, 2009 / 11:11 GMT

    This film is absolutely wonderful!!! 100% proof that sci-fi films don't need massive massive budgets or 'state of the art' CG, this film is completely about the story and the performance. I don't think I've ever properly seen anything with Sam Rockwell in it but I will be keeping an eye out for him in the future as he is just wonderful in this. I'll also be looking forward to more films from Duncan Jones, he's obviously got a lot of talent and a lot of really great people working with him!

    This is a MUST SEE in the Festival and one to take all your friends along to when it gets it's full cinema release!
  • #4 Mike Hall / Wednesday 24 June, 2009 / 09:02 GMT

    In space, only you can hear you scream; a limited budget and multiple referential nods (most notably, and rather effectively, to the 'countdown timer' plot device in Outland) do not detract from a relatively original main premise that is beautifully handled by Duncan Jones. If there is a flaw in the film, then perhaps it is in the lack of urgency shown by the main character(s) in the face of a rapidly approaching sticky-wicket destiny, together with some (I felt) improbable dialogue between the double leads; but then, who knows what you’d say to your doppelganger, should you ever cross paths? But this is mere hair-splitting, for the work is a thoroughly engrossing ride, demonstrating once again the old adage that no amount of special effects budgets can replace a good story well told. In particular, I felt the director generated enormous compassion towards Sam once he becomes aware of his origins/predicament, in a way that I'd perhaps only previously experienced in Blade Runner. So my fifth excursion to this years’ EIFF jumps effortlessly to the top of the chart; 8/10.
  • #5 Richard Dickson / Wednesday 24 June, 2009 / 12:35 GMT

    Not funny, but definitely quirky and creepy. Good sense of paranoia and isolation with a neat reboot of the all knowing, yet hiding something, computer companion idea - great casting of Kevin Spacey as the emotionally detached computer voice. The mood of the film falls somewhere between Solaris and Silent Running, so if you like your Sci-Fi as intelligent and thoughtful then this is for you.

    Moon tells the story of Sam, a lone mining astronaut, nearing the end of a solitary 3 year tour; yet even as the countdown to his return to Earth approaches, he feels increasingly isolated and alone. Startled by several strange hallucinations and recovering from an apparently life threatening accident, his growing paranoia of his robotic helper and lapses in his own memory, prompts Sam to investigate what is happening to him, starting with the accident he can't remember.
  • #6 Mairi Fraser / Friday 26 June, 2009 / 22:21 GMT

    It's hard to believe that such an accomplished piece of story-telling is a debut feature! A beautiful to look at, intense movie with an outstanding performance from Sam Rockwell and some great moments of black humour. As other reviewers have said, the film draws on predecessors such as Bladerunner & 2001, but retains an atmosphere of its own and whilst the core premise may not be entirely original in sci-fi, it is presented in a new & interesting way. I will definitely see this again when it's on general releiase. Great stuff!

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