Review: Moon
While I was treated to an advance press screening of ‘Moon’ nearly two months ago, I’ve waited until the film’s full theatrical release was imminent to deliver a full review. This delay was not without cause, one being the intellectually challenging thematic elements; another being my very busy schedule for the past few weeks. However, my primary cause for waiting so long to write this review is because of the necessity for relevance. My desire to recommend this film is so strong that I felt the desire to wait for the movie’s release to be days away rather than months, as I know how easily small films get lost in the onslaught of big budget blockbusters during the summer months.
‘Moon’ is the debut film from freshman filmmaker Duncan Jones, who has created a well crafted world in the not so distant future where Earth’s energy problems are in the past. In order to supply the world with its energy needs, a quasi-omniscient corporation mines the moon for “helium 3”. However, in order to keep operations going smoothly, this company employs Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) to act as a glorified gardener who keeps a close eye on the harvesters which mine the surface for this futuristic resource. I’ll refrain from revealing too much more, as even the most casual viewing of ‘Moon’ would be damaged with a more thorough examination of the film’s plot, and I will therefore abstain from it.
However, do not misinterpret that statement. This film does not rely on the gimmicky twists that many movies treat as a crutch for narrative development. In fact, the film is incredibly thorough at times and its methodical pace may turn off many audiences. Despite its meticulous nature, the pace never feels boring or slow despite an obvious lack of the action sequences that many science fiction films rely upon.
Duncan Jones, a filmmaker with little to no experience outside the sandbox world of the London School of Film, has created a gorgeous work on a shoestring (Less than 5 million dollars) budget. Not only does ‘Moon’ benefit from the lack of big budget influence, the 
ability to create something nothing short of beautiful from so little should set an example for future filmmakers. However, this beauty is not just visual. Jones displays his innate ability to provide such a powerful examination into one person’s life, something crucial to the development of a masterpiece.
‘Moon’ is the film equivalent to a one man show, with the entire narrative force working towards the development of Sam Bell. To this effect, the success of the film rides entirely on the ability of Sam Rockwell to deliver a solid performance. Not only does Rockwell meet the standards set forth by Duncan Jones, he exceeds them so brilliantly to the extent that I can proclaim this as the best performance I’ve witnessed this year. The contextual and narrative elements of ‘Moon’ are not necessarily emotionally evoking and instead attempt to incite intellectual stimulation. This is where Rockwell’s performance truly stands out, as he personifies the role so unerringly that ‘Moon’ moves from a simple science fiction film towards an in depth examination of the human condition.
To comment further on Jones’ ability to deviate from the normal conventions of science fiction, ‘Moon’ does not rely on flashy action sequences or big budget special effects in order to convey the evolution of technology. Jones channels science fiction benchmarks such as ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, learning from the pitfalls of the past while laboring to create something original. Not only does the film draw heavily from these heavyweight predecessors, ‘Moon’ acts as a fresh commentary on the long term effects of isolation, the abuse of technology by society, and the slippery slope concerning insanity in the human psyche.
On the reels, ‘Moon’ is one of the best films of the year. While the film could have easily slipped into a one note vehicle for an actor to deliver a stand out performance (‘There Will Be Blood’ anyone?), Jones creates a strong plot and striking visuals. Jones steers clear of the stereotypical twists and turns that plague similar works, and ‘Moon’ is better for it. Finally, the sheer brilliance of Rockwell’s keynote performance brings the film from good to great. One of the best science fiction films to come out in years, ‘Moon’ is something that will strike audiences with intellectual satisfaction and emotional fulfillment.
5/5
