Sunshine - a ray of light! (Sunshine [2007] (DVD))

Member Name: david_1967

Product:	Sunshine [2007] (DVD)
Date:	11/03/08 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Compelling science-fact based movie

Disadvantages: Some people may find pace a bit lacking

It is the year 2057 and our sun is dying. Mankind's last hope lies with the crew of eight men and women onboard the 'Icarus II' and with the payload it carries: a 'stellar bomb' with a mass equivalent to that of Manhattan island and created with the last of Earths fissile materials. By launching the bomb into the heart of our sun they hope to re-ignite the star and thereby rescue Earth from its inevitable demise. Seven years earlier the 'Icarus I' failed in its attempt to deliver a payload and all communications were lost with the ship. However, sixteen months into their journey and fifty-five million miles away from home, as 'Icarus II' passes into the dark side of Mercury, they intercept a distress signal transmitted from their sister ship.....

'Sunshine' is directed by Danny Boyle ('Trainspotting' and '28 Days Later') and falls into the category of 'science fact' rather than fiction and sits alongside such classic films as Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' and the George Clooney led 'Solaris', both films that utilised mans knowledge and understanding of space. What 'Sunshine' is not is another 'Alien' or 'Bladerunner' which use a vision of what the future may hold as the basis for its story nor is it set in a distant galaxy like the 'Star Wars' saga but a film with its feet firmly planted in reality. In fact one of the extras an the DVD is a commentary by Dr. Brian Cox (Scientific Consultant to the film) from The University of Manchester who explains the theories and laws of space governing the production of the movie even picking up on some of the details he missed during production. In the film the ships biologist states that the temperature of space is -273 degrees (absolute zero) whereas in actual fact it is 3 degrees above that due to 'Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation' at -270. Who am I to argue with him?

Of the eight actors onboard the 'Icarus II' only two may be recognisable from other features, Cillian Murphy (who was the lone patient in '28 Days Later') is the physicist Capa and Chris Evans (the Torch in 'The Fantastic Four') who plays the head-strong and focused technician Mace. In fact all the characters are brilliantly portrayed, displaying all the traits and paranoia's that is expected would accompany deep-space exploration along with the cold logic of science.

The movie was written by Alex Garland who also wrote 'The Beach' and contains a score by John Murphy and Underworld which gives a futuristic and ambient sound alongside a more traditional and dramatic orchestration which, in 5.1, really comes alive. The DVD extras, as well as containing the commentary by Dr. Cox, have a commentary from director Danny Boyle (both of which are highly entertaining as well as informative) with an alternate ending given with additional comments. There are also a selection of deleted scenes and web production diaries taking you through the stages of the films development.

I cannot rate the film highly enough and have watched it many times since its purchase. The acting is top-notch throughout and although I was not expecting much from Chris Evans as I was not overly impressed with his acting in 'The Fantastic Four' here he gives a great performance as Mace, especially during the latter stages of the film. I like to be able to associate myself with a character within a film and in 'Sunshine' there is a part of every character anyone could relate to and both understand and yet disagree or not with their actions.

'Sunshine' is a thoughtful and thought-provoking movie set within the claustrophobic confines of a spaceship as it journeys to either make or break the Earths chance of survival set amidst a stirring soundtrack. The British film industry may not have the money or the muscle of Hollywood but can still release films of immense power with a reality that does not get lost amongst all the usual trimmings associated with a futuristic storyline.

This review is also posted on Ciao.

Summary: British movie making at its best