5 August 2007
Film Review: Sunshine
It’s basically impossible to talk about Sunshine in any sort of real way without giving away everything that is great about it. And let’s not mince words here: Sunshine is a borderline great film. It’s missing that intangible thing, that “it” factor, that would push it across the boundary to an unquestionably great film, but nonetheless, it is a film definitely worth seeing. However, as I said, talking about the particulars of the film will give away everything that’s great about it, and because I don’t want to ruin the experience of Sunshine, I’m going to write two reviews: one that focuses on the philosophical aspects of film and contains spoilers, and one that talks about the film in a general sense and contains no spoilers. So, to read about the philosophical discussions that are at the heart of the film, click on the link to the “spoiler” discussion. To hear more about Sunshine in a general sense, read on…
Sunshine is most certainly not for everyone. I’m sure many people will be baffled by it, or will think that it’s stupid and a waste of time. And I can see why some people would think that. Some people are idiots, and they don’t like anything that’s good (they are blinded by their idiocy, you see). Some people just aren’t into sci-fi, and that’s fine. Some people like their sci-fi to be full of big spaceships with lasers, they like their sci-fi to take place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away; those people might not like this film either. And that, too, is okay. Because Sunshine strives to be a “realistic” sci-fi film. Well, as realistic as a movie can be, at least. There’s still gravity on the spaceship, and there’s still sound out in space, and they still make a couple of boneheaded decisions that “real” people probably wouldn’t make, but hey, it’s a damn movie, all right?
In terms of the plot, I only feel comfortable summarizing the premise. In some unknown future (apparently 50 years from now, according to some reviews, but no actual number is said in the film), the sun is dying. This causes catastrophic weather changes on Earth such that the entire human species is on the brink of extinction. In order to save the human race, a bomb is sent (via spaceship) to the sun in an effort to “restart” the sun. The entirety of the film deals with the problems that the seven person crew encounters as they journey from Earth towards the sun. The film starts after they have already left Earth; therefore the film pretty much exclusively takes place on the ship. If I had any problems with the plot, I would say that the plot takes a jarring turn at the beginning of act three. Enjoyment of the final third of the movie will hinge wholly on whether you can accept the plot turn; I forced myself to because I wanted the first 2/3 of the film to pay off, but I can understand others who don’t.
To tell you any more about the film would be to ruin the experience. Because that’s what Sunshine really is: an experience. Most movies, even the most visually artful, aren’t an experience. Sunshine is different. It is very atmospheric and, like the fifth Harry Potter film, it’s a beautiful film to look at. Part of what makes it so good, and so often very creepy, is the way that the filmmakers manipulate both the visuals and the soundscape. The film has a score, of course, but, more often than not, SFX is used to add an extra layer of dread to whatever is happening in a given scene. If anything, Sunshine is proof positive that the big screen should not go the way of the dodo. To get the full effect of the film, you really have to watch it on a big screen, accompanied by loud, blaring speakers. Watching it on a normal television, with normal sound, just wouldn’t be the same thing. People who wait for this thing on DVD are really going to miss out (unless you have the most kicking home theater system ever, and even then, it won’t be as good).
All of the actors are well cast. Chris Evans turns in an especially surprising performance, although everyone does well with the parts that they have. I also especially enjoyed the performance of Cliff Curtis, but that’s just because I wish the guy had bigger roles in bigger movies; all the actors do a fine job. There’s really not much else to say about the performances. There’s nothing Oscar-worthy here, but there’s nothing that detracts from the film either.
Get to see this one in the theater if you can.
2 Comments currently posted. Trackback URL
Andy says:
Ryan says:
Thanks for reading and responding, Andy. Yeah. I somewhat agree with the criticism that a lot was left out of the film. I certainly wanted to know what year it was, for example. Also, especially at the beginning, I kind of wanted to know more about each character. The movie just kind of started, and you had to let yourself either go along for the ride or get frustrated.
“Slap happy popcorn flick.” That made me laugh. I might steal that for another review.
If you have the time and inclination, read my “film discussion” about Sunshine. It’s really long (perhaps prohibitively so), but if you can slog through it, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the whole thing.
hyalineskies
Ryan, I recently saw this film and absolutely loved it. As you said it’s not for everyone. I took some friends to see it and they were pointing out plot devices and “no one would really do that” etc. But as you said, part of the fun and experience of seeing any movie is suspending belief. The only criticism that there’s a lot left out of the film, which I have read about elsewhere. For example, all of the characters on board have interesting back stories that help you understand more of why they’re on the ship. Also, for the sun to be dying out fifty years from now seems, as Roger Ebert puts it, “A few Billion Years too Early”. But there is an explanation of why this is happening having to do with a “Q-ball”, a remnant of the big bang, that is interrupting the mechanics of the sun. The problem is that none of that is EVER explained in the movie. If you look on wikipedia they have an extensive article on this movie. Aside from that I thought the movie was beautiful to look at, exciting and suspenseful (Though you know from the beginning that everything is going to go wrong) and had a great score. And as you said it’s an experience not just a slap happy pop corn flick. Thumbs Up