Moon

Moon is cardboard sci-fi with a laudable idea, served up in a less laudable dramaturgical package. But the overall impression is positive: Sam Rockwell delivers a good performance and Kevin Spacey’s voice was a great idea. (20.02.2010)

Great sci-fi film. At the beginning I was afraid that what is immediately clear to smart viewers would turn out to be the shocking twist, but fortunately, the creators weren’t so naive. Moon delivers a very intelligent story, eye-candy visuals, excellent music (and catchy, I still can’t get that melody out of my head), and also emotionally strong scenes. All that together results in a unique movie that no fan of science fiction, or cinema in general, should miss. Basically flawless 5*. (24.10.2009)

Danny Boyle is often thought about, but in my opinion wrongly. Jones’s story could easily have been set on Earth, but then it lacked the "Cameron-esque" detachedly cool industrial setting that perfectly supports the film's events. The story isn't rocket science but instead rides along a strong emotional level of a lonely man, which was a challenge accepted by Sam Rockwell, who did his job with incredible grace. Not to be unfair to the director - especially the opening paranoia and the schizophrenic feel of the second half do make us think - but Rockwell's acting, backed by Mansell's excellent score, actually "made" this film. It’s an unconventional film experience, though probably without a significant audience response. (09.11.2009)

A captivating and very gradual flight through loneliness and lost identity. A soft camera, sensitive directing, dreamy music and Sam Rockwell, whose performance of the schizophrenic "mind-fucking" (as he called it) looks like an air ballet. Moon may not be philosophically or deeply spectacular, but with all the imperfections and indie smudges from tar, this is a film that is easy to fall in love with. (17.01.2010)

In the end it just doesn’t have what it takes for the legendary status enjoyed by milestones in intelligent sci-fi such as Space Odyssey or Blade Runner (the screenplay holds it together, but there are a couple of screaming lapses of logic), but a few times while I was watching it did occur to me that it isn’t that far off. Plus, Moon has huge potential to mature with time. And who knows, maybe there will come a time when I will have to change my comment at the beginning. P.S.: Lots of those lapses of logic may be solved by the theory about radiation sickness, but not all of them by far... (28.10.2009)

This series of monthly walks is clever, at times even surprisingly sophisticated, but it really lacks emotion in the last twenty minutes. Although the plot takes an unexpected turn, the thought processes are rationed and mechanized. What bothers me the most is the excessive stretching of the main idea. As much as it is likable and original, a short film format would suit Sam Bello much better. The pleasant feeling after watching mainly stems from the lunar environment itself. The hypnotic and immersive atmosphere is the only thing that truly sticks in my mind. (22.05.2010)

Now that’s exactly what it should look like. A good sci-fi, I mean. A really captivating story, superb atmosphere, decent specially effects (in fact, for the money, wonderful) and the peerless performance by Sam “Bell" Rockwell. And to add to things, the whole time your eardrums are being stroked by the highbrow soundtrack for which Clint Mansell is responsible. It gives the whole picture a soul. Oh, and I want to have a GERTY at home too! (25.10.2009)

Dystopian sci-fi paranoia that makes strange use of cheap moon sets, technical miniatures that take us 25 years back in time, and Sam Rockwell's one man show. It's bleak, dark and depressing, but with a very lively script without unnecessary crutches. I didn’t mind the open ending, but the unbalanced pace and small budget are far worse, which unfortunately sends the film into slightly B-movie waters in the genre. (27.03.2017)

I don't know, maybe it's my mood at the moment, but Moon disappointed me more than anything else. It can't be said that it was downright boring, certainly not (although it is slow, but I don't mind that most of the time), I "just" found the plot to be terribly empty. It’s almost about nothing at the beginning, then predictable again towards the end. There were no surprises, nothing that would make me sit up and pay attention. On the other hand, it features a fine performance by Sam Rockwell, a great Mansell score, the work of a director who did the best he could for the little money he had, and a few 2001 references. Yes, it's above average, but Moon doesn't get four stars yet. Maybe next time I see it... But that's still in the stars. (23.09.2010)

A well-mixed blend of slow editing, brilliant camerawork and beautiful sets that, while not groundbreaking in the final analysis, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Duncan Jones lets the film flow slowly, but this does not prevent him from surprising the viewer several times with the unexpected complexity of the plot, which gradually comes to light. That said, the director made a bit of a mess of it, because even though the script tries to explain everything quickly and succeeds quite well, there are still a few question marks at the end. No one can beat Kubrick's Odyssey, after all, but Moon at least reminded me pleasantly of it. And also, Sam Rockwell is a fine actor and Duncan Jones is a director who’s yet to say his last word... (20.06.2012)

Moon has the ambition to be a perfect film thanks to the script, Sam Rockwell's fantastic acting, the music, and the unique setting. The scenes with Gerty, for example, are fantastic. All that's missing for a full rating is perhaps a little more pressure on the saw. (08.03.2010)