Space 1999

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2013)

The limited talents of the Hollywood stars fit perfectly into this minimally plotted survival film. And if there has been a more faithful depiction of space, I haven't seen it. The little saccharin, needed for this otherwise austere show to be swallowed by a studio executive, is quite forgivable.
Along with Avatar, this film knows why it is using 3D. It allows the eye to pick out details (like a coming astronaut) without camera tricks.
One of the attractions is one and a half hours of simplicity. In the current film world of back stories, jump cuts, twists, side plots, non linearity etc, I have to admit this makes a welcome break. In many ways this film is a throwback to previous decades.
Within the bounds of what this film offers, it delivers everything with aplomb. With so little to distract from the survival plot, you could argue that the film has few ways to fall of the rails. But it is up to the director to select his target and execute against it.