Moon (2009) // Film Review

Moon is a science fiction drama directed by Duncan Jones (Also directed Warcraft). The film is mainly a solo performance by Sam Rockwell who plays the character ‘Sam Bell’, but also features voice acting by Kevin Spacey. Sam Rockwell was perfect for this role, right from the start he felt actually real with great detail in his facial expressions and voice.
Basic Plot
The movie starts off by showing you a television advertisement that quickly sets the scene for the current state of the world, this very quickly transitions into a sinister introduction of Sam doing his daily routine on the moons ground station. You feel almost shoved into his world. It’s clear from the state of the base that he has been there for a while, this becomes clearer when the camera pans past a board full of smiley faces that seem to resemble a tally of days you would see in a prison.

It is very quickly apparent that Sam is alone with the job of keeping the machines running, like an engineer. It is also Sam’s final weeks on the base before his contract is over, he is returned to earth and someone takes over his job for another 3 years. This is when things rapidly change, the whole film takes an interesting and unexpected turn.
Directors Decisions
Duncan Jones uses black and white tones sometimes while Sam is outside the base as a way of preparing you for something bad to happen. There is not a lot of use of color since everything has to be white to immerse the viewer in this “NASA” style base, but what Jones does do is use tons of white to distinguish happy moments from sad moments. I believed this was used just to the right extent.

Music is a rare occurrence but when it is used, it fits perfectly. The music is mostly sinister and used to emphasize tense moments, but is occasionally used to lighten the mood.
Final Thoughts
I would by lying if I said I didn't shed a tear. Moon had some extremely powerful moments that I believe make it worth a watch, but there are definitely some slow moments that make this a film not for everyone.
Overall, I would give Moon a 6/10. It’s not the kind of film you should go out of your way to watch, but if you have an hour and a half spare, then consider it an option.
Interestingly, while doing research on Moon I found out that ‘Mute’ by Duncan Jones is planned to be released later this year and will serve as an epilogue to Moon. So I wont be missing out on that one.
